Nashville State Partners with CodeX to Create All-New Tech Equity Partnership with Top Nashville Organizations

In a commitment to remove financial barriers for students facing the most need and build stronger relationships with emerging talent in tech, CodeX Academy announces an all-new Tech Equity partnership with several top area businesses. The partnership with Amazon, the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Predators, the Nashville Soccer Club, Vanderbilt University, Nashville State Community College, and Tony Giarratana helps to ensure CodeX Academy students are well-equipped and actively supported in development and learning.

“Amazon is honored to be a major supporter of the CodeX Tech Equity partnership,” said Stephanie Stanton, Sr. Community Engagement Program Manager. “When schools and community organizations work together to support learning, everyone benefits. We value working side-by-side with community partners and supporting long-term, innovative programs that have a lasting, positive impact.”

“The Titans are proud to partner with CodeX Academy as it serves an absolutely critical role ensuring equal opportunity for students interested in coding and software development,” said Burke Nihill, Titans President and CEO. “We are committed to closing the skills gap with emphasis on the North Nashville and Antioch communities, offering students in need an opportunity to engage with these deeply important learning experiences. Organizations like CodeX Academy not only provide greater equity for today, but also ensure a more diverse workforce for the future.”- Burke Nihill, Titans CEO

“Community engagement and a commitment to creating a more diverse workforce are vitally important initiatives for the Nashville Predators organization; CodeX Academy is a program that enables us to align those core objectives in a tangible, meaningful way.” said Michelle Kennedy, Predators Chief Operating Officer. “We applaud the creation of this program and we are excited to be a part of facilitating the growth of a vitally important sector of the workforce by removing financial barriers, contributing directly to growing a pool of job ready candidates. This is the epitome of a win / win for the community and for our organization and we can’t wait to see CodeX Academy thrive!”

“As a club, Nashville SC is always looking for ways where we can help provide opportunities to those who don’t have equal access,” said Nashville SC owner John Ingram. “The partnership with CodeX is a no-brainer for us to support and I look forward to seeing the dividends these investments will pay.”

“With the U.S. adding 136,000 net tech jobs last year, Nashville becoming one of the hottest places for tech work in the country, and a forecast for double-digit tech job growth in Nashville for the foreseeable future, it seems learning coding skills at CodeX Academy is an excellent strategy for advancement.”- Tony Giarratana

"We are pleased to collaborate with CodeX Academy through this transformative Tech Equity partnership. This alliance coincides with Vanderbilt's enduring commitment to academic excellence, creating a culture of belonging and inclusion, and supporting workforce development in Nashville. By pooling resources and expertise, we are amplifying our collective impact and laying the groundwork for a more diverse, skilled, and equitable tech workforce for the future. We look forward to engaging with CodeX’s leadership to provide career empowerment resources and opportunities for our collective communities. We are excited to be a part of this initiative, which exemplifies our motto of “Dare to Grow” as we observe our institution’s 150th anniversary. We believe this partnership will bring lasting, positive change to our region." Dr. Alex Sevilla, Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement, Vanderbilt University

"Nashville State Community College is excited to be a partner with CodeX in providing the Coding Bootcamp's to local residents,” said Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson. “As a Nashville and Northern Middle Tennessee area workforce solution partner, we are building a bridge for students who complete these programs to earn college credit towards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Information Technology or to directly enter their career."

Business School-Partnerships are a shared responsibility designed to provide a direct link between the community and the classroom. Comprised of three main components each partner provides a financial sponsorship, a mentoring framework and career prep coaching. With a combined total of $146,000 the grant will provide upskill resources for as many as 34 CodeX Academy students, ultimately expanding the pool of job ready candidates in the growing job market. As a Partner, each company will support CodeX initiatives on an ongoing basis to:

• support courses that prepares students with entry-level software development skills;
• serve as mentors and school ambassadors;
• offer job placement opportunities through business programs, and
• volunteer in person and virtually at the Academy.

“CodeX is excited to expand our partnership with these generous companies and grow our Tech Equity program,” Phil Henry, CEO of CodeX Academy. “The opportunities that our local leaders provide to our students are tremendous and help extend learning beyond the classroom.”