What is the name of your organization?
BGH Foundation
What is the name of your solution?
BlackGirlsHack: AccessUnlocked
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Equipping underrepresented youth with accessible, inclusive STEM education using technology, mentorship, and community-driven digital equity solutions
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Fredericksburg, VA 22408, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
BlackGirlsHack: AccessUnlocked addresses the digital divide and lack of accessible, inclusive STEM education for underserved and underrepresented youth—particularly Black girls and students with disabilities—nationally, and specifically in Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia. Nationally, nearly 1 million U.S. school-aged children live in counties where fewer than 50% of residents have broadband access, disproportionately affecting low-income and rural communities. In Mississippi, only 55% of households have fixed broadband subscriptions, creating significant barriers to digital learning and skill development.
Globally, 1.3 billion children lack internet access at home, and fewer than half of primary schools in many regions offer disability-adapted infrastructure. These access and accessibility gaps are compounded by the underrepresentation of Black and disabled students in STEM fields and limited culturally responsive, skills-based education.
Our program tackles these intersecting issues by providing internet-enabled devices, accessibility tools, digital literacy and cybersecurity training, and adaptive learning strategies—delivered through local partnerships and community spaces. By focusing on equitable access and inclusive design, we empower learners with foundational STEM skills while promoting digital well-being and academic engagement.
What is your solution?
Our solution, BlackGirlsHack: AccessUnlocked, is a community-based pilot designed to deliver inclusive, tech-enabled STEM education to underserved youth. Through partnerships with T-Mobile for Education and VisioTech, we combine internet connectivity, accessible learning tools, and culturally relevant training to bridge gaps in digital access and inclusion.
The program provides internet-enabled devices (tablets/laptops) and mobile hotspots to students without reliable access. We deliver hands-on STEM and cybersecurity education, including workshops on ethical hacking, online safety, and digital literacy, using accessible platforms embedded with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice-to-text, closed captions, and adaptive materials.
We also incorporate gamified learning modules and tactile STEM kits to engage students with different learning styles and disabilities. Mental health support and digital well-being workshops are included to ensure students can thrive both online and offline.
Community partners—including schools, libraries, and local mentors—support delivery and provide safe spaces for in-person sessions. Our model is built for scale and sustainability, blending technology, education, and equity to give every student the opportunity to build future-ready skills—regardless of ability, background, or zip code.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
BlackGirlsHack: AccessUnlocked primarily serves underrepresented youth ages 5–19, with a focus on Black girls and students with disabilities in underserved communities across Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia. These students often lack access to internet-enabled devices, inclusive learning environments, and exposure to STEM education—barriers that limit their academic engagement and future career opportunities.
Many of the students we serve face intersecting inequities: racial and gender disparities in STEM, lack of disability-adapted educational tools, and insufficient access to high-speed internet. In Mississippi, for example, only 55% of households have fixed broadband, and digital resources are especially scarce in rural and low-income areas.
BGH Foundation is closing these gaps by providing students with devices, connectivity, and tailored educational experiences that are both accessible and culturally responsive. Our solution equips students with real-world skills in digital literacy and cybersecurity, fosters self-confidence, and creates pathways into STEM fields they’ve historically been excluded from.
By combining technology, mentorship, and inclusive design, BlackGirlsHack: AccessUnlocked empowers students not only to learn—but to lead in the digital world.