The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) is partnering with breakbeatcode to host a hackathon for students aged 13 to 18 throughout Trinidad and Tobago. breakbeatcode is a 20% time project at Google. The two-day event will introduce students to an initiative called breakbeatcode which uses hip-hop music to teach young people the basics of computer coding.

The program was founded by Richard Achee who works on the Chrome Enterprise Technology Partnership team. The goal of the Hackathon is to teach future leaders to code, collaborate and create in order to open up students to career possibilities such as becoming artist engineers. The coaches involved in the initiative are a collection of professionals in music and technology, including singers, rappers, producers, and entrepreneurs.

AMCHAM T&T is proud to partner with the breakbeatcode team on this venture because it builds on our commitment to promote technology as a viable sector for diversification with the potential for future investment and economic growth. Partnerships such as this one that specifically engages youths also have the added benefit of providing more opportunities for young people to be exposed to technology. This is part of the organisation’s commitment to create spaces for young people to learn, to dream, and to acquire skills that will enable them to become the next generation of innovators, coders, and entrepreneurs in the world of tech.

AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie says the breakbeatcode Hackathon will have a huge impact on the development of the young people who participate. “There are no limits where technology is concerned and so we must create as many opportunities as possible for our young people to be exposed to technology in an accessible manner and reap the benefits,” Tewarie said. “At AMCHAM T&T, our goal is to ensure that T&T becomes a global tech hub where we are creating the next generation of inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs who are changing the world through technology. Merging the world of music and technology and putting this into the hands of young people will no doubt advance their career prospects and help them to contribute more positively towards the development of their country. Hopefully, if nothing else, the young adults who participate, will be happier at the end of the hackathon.”

Calvin Pinney, TEDx speaker, a military veteran (USMC) and Program Manager (Sales Specialist) at Google Chrome Enterprises has been spearheading the breakbeatcode Hackathon initiative in the Caribbean region for Google. He was also one of the speakers at AMCHAM T&T’s recently concluded Tech Hub Islands Summit (t.h.i.s.) 2021. With breakbeatcode, Pinney has brought together professionals in music and tech, including singers, rappers, producers, entrepreneurs, and tech coaches, to inspire and teach students the skills, habits and mindset they will need to pursue their dreams while creating opportunities to build their social capital.

The two-day event will teach students how to build beats, code in Python and remix music through 1-to-1 instruction from tech coaches from Google. By the end of the session, students will have produced and published their own music tracks.

The breakbeatcode Hackathon which takes place on August 7th and 8th, 2021 is 100% FREE for students aged 13 to 18 but space is limited. AMCHAM T&T will be selecting 50 students to participate in the Hackathon. Students are not required to have coding experience but will need internet access and a laptop or desktop computer. (Tablet devices are not recommended). Students will collaborate in randomly constructed teams of five, but team members will not be required to be in the same physical location to participate.

AMCHAM T&T is also looking for ten (10) volunteers (preferably teachers) to help coordinate the teams.  

Students can sign up at  http://bit.ly/AMCHAMTTBBStu

Volunteers can sign up at http://bit.ly/AMCHAMTTBBVolunteer

The deadline for application is Friday 16th July, 2021.

For more information contact Michelle Laggan at michellelaggan@amchamtt.com or Rey-Anne Paynter-Mendez at rey-annepaynter@amchamtt.com. Or contact AMCHAM T&T via cell at at 295 – 4869.

AMCHAM T&T remains strongly committed to our members and the wider business community during these challenging times as we continue to advance the opportunities available through the building of a tech ecosystem in T&T.

For further media-related questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.