Code to Success: How Operation Spark Transformed Our Lives

Presentation Description

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion, “Code to Success: How Operation Spark Transformed Our Lives,” where a group of distinguished Operation Spark alumni share their personal journeys from novice coders to professional software engineers. This session dives into the pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs experienced along the way, highlighting how the immersive program reshaped their careers and lives.

Panelists will reflect on their time as students, the rigorous training that prepared them for the tech industry, and the opportunities they unlocked upon graduation. Hear firsthand stories of overcoming adversity, embracing new skills, and building a future in tech. This talk is not just about coding; it’s about resilience, transformation, and the power of education to ignite change. Whether you’re considering a career change or seeking inspiration, come discover how these alumni went from students to tech innovators, leveraging their skills to rebuild their lives and communities.

Presentation Details

Date:
Monday (11/11/24)
Time:
10:30 AM
Location:
Downstairs Classroom – New Orleans Jazz Museum

Presenter Biography

JOHNNIE JAMES II
Johnnie James II is the Operations Coordinator for Operation Spark 501(c)(3), the premier software bootcamp in the South. During his time he spearheaded OpSpark’s expansion into Georgia, focusing on the Atlanta metro. Johnnie builds interorganizational partnerships, fosters a software engineering mindset in new students, and guides graduates and alumni into high-wage tech roles. Beyond software, Johnnie is passionate about sustainability having been a board member for a sustainability-focused non profit in New Mexico by 25, the assistant director of Lower 9th Ward Village post Katrina, and at one time the world’s youngest facilitator of the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium by 30. Now as a climate tech founder, Johnnie is leading a venture seeking to address marine dead zones with ecologically sound artificial reef technology and real time data monitoring solutions. This project not only aims to restore biodiversity in compromised marine habitats but also seeks to play a critical role in carbon footprint reduction, achieving this without reliance on subsurface storage.
Johnnie James II headshot.