Help Imwen break the glass ceiling for Black Girls

 

Hi, my name is Imwen Eke. I’m a Black British (Nigeria), female Artist and Producer based in London.

My works have created safe spaces for facilitating people to make work through community arts, community engagement, immersive theatre and events.

 

When I looked around I didn’t see many people who looked like me, I became passionate about creating more conversation, play, art, technology, visibility and inclusion of Black audiences and new voices. I’ve spent the last few years developing an artistic practice that explores this.

 

I’m fundraising so that I can move into an amazing career opportunity. This opportunity will enable me to realise my dreams. I just need help getting there.

 

I am excited to share that I recently was awarded a place (one of seven learners), on a ranked 10th in the world, Full Stack Coding Bootcamp run by EyUp x iO Coding Academy. The course is specifically designed to take individuals from various backgrounds and skill sets to retrain and prepare them for entering the workforce as Software engineers/Developers. The course builds skills in HTML, CSS Javascript PHP SQL Node.js and Scrum Master training and certification.

 

During Covid, all my work was decimated - ending in the cancellation of a two-year games project 3 months from delivery. Life as an artist is uncertain, and I accepted this, but to witness my career and income streams wiped out instantly was sobering.

 

During the lockdown, my focus moved to research. I completed a 6 month online Post Graduate Certificate in New Politics and Afrofutrisms at the University of The Underground. I also started a research project called Ethno-Augmenting Social Realities: Developing digital multi-user tools for cultural relevance in physical and virtual conversations. This changed my life and opened my eyes to a realm of possibility in the development of new technology.

 

I started exploring a basic introduction to coding, as it made sense to learn more about this subject as I collaborated with developers to build my games and experiences, so the passion was already there but I never had the opportunity to pursue a developer’s path.

 

We need more women developers and we definitely need more Black female developers. So often, Black women are written off and cast aside for being unapologetically themselves.

 

This Go Fund Me is to help me retrain as a software developer and will give me a chance to have a sustainable career and survive financially working within the tech industry whilst sustaining some of my artistic practice. This makes sense having been adjacent to the tech industry for years.

 

It has been difficult to find opportunities to learn Full Stack Coding that I can afford. The EYUP programme commitment is 16 weeks, five days per week, 9 am-6 pm in Sheffield. It’s full time and an ideal opportunity for someone with my background. I believe it's never too late to pursue your dreams. The only way I could take part in this Bootcamp was with a bursary to cover the course fees however, the bursary I received from the Eyup Academy only covered 50% of course fees and I am not eligible for Ed Aid which leaves me with 50% to pay - plus rent - plus living costs - plus bills - plus travel etc.

 

How you can help

I am seeking funding to cover the remaining 50% of the course fees.  I will also need help with my living expenses as I need to move to Sheffield temporarily for the duration of the course, my rent and living expenses and existing bills My goal is to raise £12,000 to pay the remainder of the course fees and cover living costs whilst I’m in Sheffield.

 

Can you help me in bridging this financial gap between now and December to help cover the cost of the fees, accommodation and living expenses and get qualified?

 

Words can't express how much I appreciate each and every one of you. I am so appreciative of your support to continue my education and provide a better future for myself.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.