Share this article:

Code Next Milestone the Latest in Michigan Central’s Growth, Builds on Commitment to Giving Detroiters Skills and Opportunities for Tech Jobs of Today and the Future

DETROIT, MI — July 30, 2024 — Michigan Central today celebrated an important milestone, welcoming founding member Google and its innovative Code Next program as the first office tenant in the newly renovated Station. Code Next’s immersive computer science education programming is focused on helping Black, Latinx, and Indigenous high school students pursue careers in tech, and will help develop a pipeline of diverse talent for Michigan tech startups and established companies alike. Anchoring The Station’s youth programming floor, Code Next is a key piece of Michigan Central’s larger skills training initiative, which provides free job training for Detroit residents and grows the Michigan Central innovation ecosystem.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Michigan Central and our efforts to build a vibrant hub for innovation, community and opportunity. Having Detroit youth and Google’s Code Next be the first to call The Station home speaks clearly to the mission of Michigan Central to create not only tech and innovation, but opportunity,” said Carolina Pluszczynski. “It is also exciting to see our partnership with Google take another major step forward in our commitment to building an ecosystem that will keep Detroit and our region at the forefront of mobility innovation.”

To celebrate its move into The Station, Code Next hosted a Demo Day for its latest cohort of Detroit high schoolers. At the end of every fall, winter, spring and summer quarter, Code Next students present digital and software projects they’ve completed during programming to friends, family, and members of the community. During this 2024 Summer Demo Day, students presented website and gaming projects that included the likes of Javascript Arrays, HTML responsive pages, and more. 

Code Next’s Detroit lab — Google’s first in the Midwest — has enrolled approximately 100 students across two cohorts, providing live coaches, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and content ranging from Javascript programming to user experience design. Code Next will now operate in its permanent residence on The Station’s 23,000-square-foot youth floor. Knowing that youth will be a major part in driving the future of innovation in Detroit, Michigan Central dedicated space in The Station to support local youth-serving organizations and further advance the Michigan Central ecosystem. Detroiters of all ages can learn skills that prepare them for college or their careers, possibly choosing to work at the companies next door at Newlab at Michigan Central or launch startups of their own.

“Google has called Michigan home for over 15 years with offices in Detroit and Ann Arbor. We’re dedicated to investing in the city and providing its students with the resources and inspiration they need to excel,” said Shanika Hope, Director, Google Education and Social Impact. “We’re excited to bring our Code Next program to Michigan Central, empowering Detroit’s youth with computer science education to help them reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond.”

“I realize that much of my success is due to Code Next and the profound impact it has on developing student engineers. While the program honed my technical skills and taught me how to create and articulate ideas, its greatest contribution was in fostering my confidence and self-awareness,” said Ismael Olivarez, a Code Next graduate. “It didn’t just help me grow as an engineer; it filled crucial gaps in my personal development, making me more comfortable with myself and who I am.”

Since 2015, Code Next has welcomed 10,000+ students into the program nationwide. Over 90% of Code Next graduates are pursuing higher education and over 88% are majoring in a STEM field. Google’s Code Next is now accepting applications for its fall cohort. Any Detroit-area student in 9th through 12th grade who is at least 13 years of age is encouraged to apply. Applications are due August 2. More information and application instructions can be found at g.co/codenext

Images from Demo Day and Code Next’s space with The Station’s tower can be found here. Video of the event can be found here.

Google and Michigan Central

In 2022, Google joined Ford Motor Company as a Founding Member of Michigan Central. Google works with Michigan Central and local nonprofits to train people in Detroit for in-demand jobs by providing access to programs like Code Next and  the Google Career Certificates at no cost. Google also provides its technology and expertise to support Michigan Central with mobility innovation projects in Detroit and beyond. 

Michigan Central Station reopened to the public following an extensive and unprecedented six-year restoration by Ford Motor Company after standing vacant for more than 30 years. This symbol of Detroit’s decline and disinvestment has been transformed into a symbol of opportunity and promise. The Station and its surrounding area will become a vibrant destination for Detroiters and all who visit the city, featuring a growing network of green spaces and an array of local programming and events, and arts and cultural opportunities. To learn more about visiting The Station and stay informed on its next chapter see: michigancentral.com. 

 

###

 

About Michigan Central

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of more than 600 employees from over 100 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility and society. The Station at Michigan Central opened as the centerpiece of the district in June 2024 and has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors to celebrate and explore the historic transformation of Detroit’s iconic former train station into a global destination. Learn more at Michigan Central.

About Google In Michigan

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google has proudly called Michigan home for over 15 years with offices in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Google is committed to creating economic opportunities in Michigan and is proud to partner with trusted community organizations to bring digital skills training, grant funding, and other resources to more Michiganders.