Charlie Barnes’ career in public service began in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, not long after Hurricane Katrina, during his work with AmeriCorps. While serving as program manager of a community youth center, Charlie bore witness to the glaring inequity New Orleans students face. This inequity was particularly evident when it came to digital literacy. While more affluent students in New Orleans had access to coding and robotics at their schools, none of the children served by Charlie’s program were so lucky. This lack of opportunity inspired Charlie to start a nonprofit called NOLA_CODE. Since 2014, the team has worked with more than 27 schools to teach computer science to over 2,700 children across the Gulf Coast region, with a broader estimated reach of 6,500. In June 2017, Charlie transitioned to serve on the board of directors at NOLA_CODE to pursue an advanced degree at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Through the Maxwell School, Charlie sought additional skills to address the challenges facing New Orleans students and their communities. Having earned his Master’s in Public Administration, Charlie returned to New Orleans to bring those skills to bear in 2019. Charlie’s activities outside the classroom have included spearheading the effort to standardize and accredit computer science statewide in Louisiana. Through these efforts, computer science has been standardized, accredited, and required for high school graduation in Louisiana beginning in 2029. Charlie continues to run NOLA_CODE full-time as executive director. Charlie is committed to making sure every student in Louisiana one day enjoys the opportunity to learn computer science.