IAN MICHAEL BROCK
AS SEEN ON
Ian Brock
THIEL FELLOWSHIP
Class of 2023
“Members of this year’s class are not preoccupied with chasing trends, whether in Silicon Valley or on TikTok. They are acting on concrete plans to improve the world around them.”
— Alex Handy, Director of the Thiel Fellowship
"In a world where conformity rules, these young founders are setting out to reimagine every industry they touch. No goal is too ambitious; this year's class is innovating in fields as varied as energy production, genetic testing, AI, and agriculture."
— Brian Rowen, President of The Thiel Foundation
The new class joins 251 previous fellows. Alumni include founders of Embark, Ethereum, Figma, Luminar, OYO, and DoNotPay.
Since the Fellowship’s inception, fellows have founded companies collectively worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Here Come the Zoomers:
Silicon Valley Greets a
New Generation of Teen Founders.
Written by Margaux MacColl
March 3, 2023, The Information
Read Article Here
Covid-19 lockdowns chained a generation of teenagers to their computers.
For a lucky few dozen, it opened up a world of opportunity.
All photos courtesy of the subjects; art by Clark Miller
THANK YOU MADAME
VICE PRESIDENT
A Chicago Teen
Who Believes
He Can Change
the World Through
Inspiration, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Science
PARTNERSHIPS & FEATURES
Ian Michael Brock x Essence Festival 2022
For more details about McDonald’s upcoming Tech Panel @EssenceFest, visit https://www.essence.com/techsummit2022/
Sterling L. Gilmore Photography
Our job is to lift them up
“Our job is to be here to lift them up. We all know how this works. The proof is right here in this room.
We’re here to lift up people like Ian Michael Brock, who I had the pleasure of meeting tonight. He’s a 14 year old entrepreneur from Chicago whose nonprofit Dream Hustle Code (it’s got all that Millennial stuff) it aims to level the playing field for underrepresented people in the tech industry - something I’m very passionate about.”
Robert F. Smith
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners
BIOGRAPHY
Computer Science Activist, Speaker + Gen Z Change Agent
Ian Brock is the Co-Founder of Dream Hustle Code® and New Nerd. Ian is a Gen Z Powerhouse, transformational speaker, computer science activist, financial literacy & personal development coach, and “soon to be” author. Ian's upcoming book, New Nerd Money, is slated for release early 2024. For over 9 years, he has been on a mission to inspire confidence in Black & Brown Youth, while empowering them with tools so that they, too, can be creators of new cutting-edge technology, and not just be consumers of it. He is currently writing a book on success for kids that has led to extraordinary interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Bob Johnson, R. Donahue Peebles, Ben Horowitz, Steve Harvey, and Dan Cathy to name a few.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ian and his Gen-Z Mentoring Team, launched a live virtual Computer Programming + Personal Development Program called New Nerd LIVE. Ian's unique live daily webinars have impacted students throughout the U.S. and across the globe. In 2021 he created and hosted Teen Tech LIVE, a Virtual Enrichment Field Trip Program, hosting thousands of youth across the United States as well as Nigeria, Jamaica, Canada, London, and New Zealand.
Ian is featured in McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Mentors Commercial Campaign which includes Influencers Big Sean and NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace. Most recently, he was selected as one of McDonald's Future 22, a new campaign celebrating the work of 22 young, gifted and Black leaders whose passion and talent are creating meaningful change in communities across the country. Additional appearances include CBS Evening News, BET Awards, Essence Festival of Culture, Earn Your Leisure, Van Jones Tech Town Hall, NPR's WBEZ Radio, and he has been featured online in media outlets such as Forbes, Black Enterprise, Medium, Encyclopedia Britannica, Education Week, Thrive Global, Nike Zine, Built In Chicago, Parents, Chicago Tribune, P33, among others.
He has spoken at numerous events about Tech & Personal Development from Silicon Valley to Saudi Arabia including Google, Global Entrepreneurship Congress, Startup Grind Global, WE Day Chicago, The Steve Harvey Foundation Mentoring Program, the National Black MBA Association, and the Essence Festival of Culture. Ian is the recipient of the Rainbow PUSH Excel STEM Award, he is one of Chicago Inno’s 25 Under 25 Rising Chicago Entrepreneurs & Technologists, one of 200 people under 40 in Encyclopedia Britannica's Shapers of the Future and was a Finalist for Time + Nickelodeon's Kid of the Year Award. He was the host of Banneky Squad's Space Jam 2 Virtual Event "Find Your Seat in Tech, Gaming & Entertainment" sponsored by Microsoft and Warner Bros.
Most recently, Ian was named as one of the 20 individuals selected for the prestigious Thiel Fellowship Class of 2023. The Fellowship Program encourages talented young people with big ideas to start companies instead of attending college. In December 2022, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) identified him as one of their 2022 CS Heroes, being recognized as a game changer in Computer Science and making CS Education more equitable and accessible for all learners. Ian is an honoree of the 2022 Microsoft Legacy Project, being identified as one of the most influential African American community and outstanding civic leaders of our time, and an inspiring ambassador for racial equality, cultural consciousness, and social justice.
Outside of his work, Ian is a Board Member of WayMaker Journal and Rosecrans Ventures. He is an avid reader, loves to play video games and basketball, listen to music, and build and figure out mechanical products.
IN THE NEWS - VIDEOS + PODCASTS
CBS Evening News - “Cracking the Code”
15-year-old starts online computer coding classes for kids of color
2024 ABC 7 Chicago - WayMaker Men’s Summit
WayMaker Media Founder Louis Carr and Dream Hustle Code Co-Founder Ian Brock sit down with Samantha Chatman and Mark Rivera from ABC 7 Chicago to talk about everything in store for WayMaker Men's Summit 2024.
FOX 32 Chicago - Good Day Chicago
Anita Blanton interview’s Co-Founder Ian Michael Brock about December 8th’s Teen Tech LIVE Virtual Event.
Earn Your Leisure: Tracking the Journey of a Young Superstar - Ian Michael Brock of Dream Hustle Code
In this conversation we spoke to Ian Brock about his coding program for children and how he was able to scale it over the past few years.
ET The Hip Hop Preacher: MASS Impact | Making Real Change with Mentoring
In this episode, the squad is accompanied by 17-year-old Ian Brock, an impressive young man who believes he can change the world through inspiration, entrepreneurship, and computer science in his company Dream Hustle Code.
America's Black Forum | Episode #22-20
Hosted by Marc Morial
President & CEO - National Urban League
This week on America's Black Forum we introduce you to Ian Brock of Dream Hustle Code, and his mission to grant access and opportunity to kids of all socio-economic backgrounds to Computer Science & Coding Education.
FOX 32 Chicago - Chicago native Ian Brock, founder of Dream Hustle Code, talks about “STEAM & Dream” event at the Museum of Science and Industry
Chicagoan Ian Brock was one of the Keynote Speakers of the STEAM & Dream event at the Museum of Science and Industry. He and JoAnne Sabir of American Family Insurance talked with Good Day Chicago’s Elizabeth Matthews about the importance of getting kids of color inspired in tech careers.
WGN-TV - Providing students of color
access to computer science education
Dream Hustle Code aims to inspire the city’s Black and Brown youth to develop their interest and education in computer science.
WBEZ’s Reset Talk Show - Chicago Innovators
Sasha-Ann Simons talks to 16-Year-Old Tech Activist About His Mission to Level the Tech Playing Field for People of Color
Black Creativity 2021 Innovators:
Meet J. Ivy and Ian Brock
Two of our Black Creativity 2021 Innovators meet to talk about their takes on creativity and collaboration. Poet and spoken word artist J. Ivy talks with Ian Brock, co-founder of the non-profit Dream Hustle Code. Learn more about them and the Black Creativity program at https://msichicago.org/bc2021.
BET Awards Red Carpet Live
On the Red Carpet with Terrence J and one of BET’s Emerging Leaders, Ian Brock of Dream Hustle Code
Tech Town Hall - Van Jones + Dream Corps Tech
As the economy continues to go digital and high-tech, Black and Latinx communities are slowly tracking to gain equity in the tech space. At the same time, high-tech and Fortune 500 companies are struggling to hire and retain talented people of color.
BET + Facebook Elevate - Black Tech Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs Leslie Miley and Ian Michael Brock
chat about the rewards and challenges of being Black,
brilliant and savvy in the tech industry
Earn Your Leisure
In this clip we are speaking with child tech prodigy Ian Brock about his groundbreaking homeschool coding boot camp for children, Dream Hustle Code. He breaks down coding and explains why every parent that has a child home from school during this time of quarantine should be including coding in their children’s curriculum
The Jam TV Show
Real Chicagoans: 15-Year-Old Tech Advocate
Paving the Way for Chicago Kids
WGN-TV Morning News
15-Year-Old Coder Says Chicago Could Be the Future of Tech
Robert F. Smith
During UNCF’s 75th Annual Gala in Washington, D.C. Vista Equity Partner’s CEO + Chairman Robert F. Smith acknowledges Ian Brock’s Mission to level the tech playing field
Startup Grind Global
Making History as the 1st Black Chicago Teen to take The Main Stage At the Startup Grind Global Conference in Silicon Valley
Apple Documentary Series “Chicago Stores: Innovation”
Generation Z’ers Ian Brock, Michael McAfee and Sydny August share their stories of personal innovation and broader disruption
Vector90 x Dream Hustle Code
Dream Hustle Code visit to Vector90 included conversations with Democratic Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg and Nipsey Hussle’s business partner David Gross
ISTE (Int’l Society for Technology in Education)
Ian Brock joins Student Activism Panel with Kiara Reed, V Rezac and Marley Rosario and moderated by Jennie Magiera
WE Day Illinois - Allstate Arena
WE Day Illinois united 15,000 Young Change Makers with Special Guests Chris Gardner, Daya, Cleo Wade, Jenna Ortega, Skai Jackson, Rasheda Ali, Ian Brock, Lonnie Chavis among others
Breaking Into Startups
Ruben Harris and Ian Brock share their experiences in tech
Windy City Live TV
Val Warner sits down with Dream Hustle Code’s Co-Founder Ian Michael Brock to discuss his upcoming endeavor to take high school students on a trip to Silicon Valley
Venturer News
Facebook’s new startup incubator in Paris, a California startup wants to suck your blood (if you are between the ages of 16 to 25), and 12 –year-old entrepreneur, Ian Brock, has co-founded a non-profit cookie company, Beyond The Cookie &
makes all of us feel incompetent.
Global 1000 with NFL Great Ray Lewis
“At 12 years old (Ian Michael Brock) that's the model.
That's what the future looks like.”
Google - Smashing Stereotypes about Computer Science
Google aims to inspire young people around the world, not just, to use technology, but to create it. Millions of jobs that will require future skills like problem-solving, collaboration and coding are projected to go unfilled; women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and additional groups are already drastically underrepresented in technical fields.
Perfect Timing Podcast - Hosted by Sydnie Chandler Monet
Dream Hustle Code Founder Ian Brock is Getting The Youth Excited About Technology
IN THE NEWS - READS
Forbes - The 12-Year-Old Entrepreneur That Will Take Global Tech and The World By Storm
Not everybody has co-founder ‘cred’ at 12.
Ian Michael Brock isn’t everybody.
Although he hasn’t co-founded a tech company yet, he and his parents know it’s only a matter of time. ‘Knowing’ is often that priceless quality in an entrepreneur that is so difficult to nurture later in life.
Cyber Res — Black History Month: Recognizing the Influencers of Today Who Are Working to Shape Tomorrow - February 13, 2022
As the tech world is constantly growing and evolving it's important that we think about what's next. We have several young African Americans such as Ian Michael Brock becoming inventors and entrepreneurs working to bring computer science to the youth
Two Average Gamers - December 28, 2021
Dream Hustle Code is an organization that aims to inspire Black + Brown Youth’s confidence and interest in computer science and computer coding education. They show youth that creating and shaping technology is possible for them.
Thrive Global - October 7, 2021
Ian Michael Brock of Dream Hustle Code: “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, look at mistakes as a teaching tool instead of something negative. Being afraid of making mistakes is what stops people (including myself sometimes) from taking action.”
Authority Magazine - October 3, 2021
Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Ian Michael Brock of Dream Hustle Code
Is Helping To Change Our World
Afro News - September 28, 2021
Q&A with Ian Brock, 17-year-old founder of Dream Hustle Code
Medium: Prime Movers Lab - June 8, 2021
For the first time, I get to show the younger generation
an extraordinary changemaker of its own:
16-year-old Ian Michael Brock of Dream Hustle Code
Chicago Defender - April 16, 2021
2021 Black Creativity Innovators honored at the Museum of Science & Industry. These are leaders in science, technology, engineering, art, and medicine, including Ian Michael Brock
Medium: Digital Additive Thoughts - February 25, 2021
Featuring organizations that are making great strides to ensure tech education and experience is readily accessible, especially in lower-income communities, and we found some wonderful organizations that are dedicated to offering these experiences
Encyclopedia Britannica - January 5, 2021
20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future (Education)
Chicago Tribune - December 29, 2020
The world is in good hands with these exceptional teens who are doing their part to help create change
Citizen Weekly - December 2, 2020
McDonald's USA Launches New Mentorship Program
Where Women Work - November 20, 2020
McDonald's USA launches
Black & Positively Golden mentorship
McDonald's USA - November 18, 2020
Celebrities and Industry Leaders Join McDonald’s USA for the Launch of Black & Positively Golden
Mentors Program
Nike Zine - November 2020
Cracking the Code: Ian Brock on
Changing the Future of Tech
Untold Magazine - October 13, 2020
“Consumer to Creator” - In an industry focused on innovation and breaking barriers, the lack of diversity is extraordinary. One kid in Chicago has a goal to change this, and he’s Ian Michael Brock
Built In - October 13, 2020
‘“7 Ways Tech is Changing the World
for the Better in 2020”
Ian Brock started Dream Hustle Code, which aims to introduce minority communities to computer science. This summer, the organization held the New Nerd Virtual Summer Camp, an 8-week-long program that teaches basic Javascript to kids and teens
Quintessential Gentleman - September 28, 2020
16-Year-Old Tech Activist Inspired the Youth to Learn Computer Programming With Virtual Camp
Chicago Inno - September 24, 2020
Chicago Inno’s 25 Under 25 Rising Chicago
Entrepreneurs and Technologists
Milwaukee Community Journal - September 23, 2020
Chicago Teen’s ‘Virtual Summer Camp’ Successfully Reaches & Inspires Hundreds Black + Brown Youth
Al Rucker Show - September 22, 2020
Chicago Teen’s ‘Virtual Summer Camp’
Successfully Reaches and Inspires
Hundreds of Black and Brown Youth
Active Campaign - August 7, 2020
How Ian Michael Brock is Inspiring the
Next Generation of Computer Scientists
Chicago Parent - July 9, 2020
15-Year-Old Seeks $250,000 to Host
Free Computer Science Camp for Kids
Parents Magazine - July 7, 2020
This 15-Year-Old Set Up a Virtual Camp to
Get More Black Kids in Tech
Built in Chicago - July 7, 2020
Dream Hustle Code Wants to
Teach 1,000 Minority Students to Code
ElearningInside News - July 6, 2020
A Chicago Teen is Asking You for $1
to Scale His Virtual CS Summer Camp
Rolling Stone - August 2, 2019
Democratic Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg engages with Dream Hustle Code students visiting Nipsey Hussle’s Vector90
ABC News - July 25, 2019
Democratic Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg is urging students to speak out against racial bias
when they experience it or witness it -
he speaks to Dream Hustle Code students
visiting Nipsey Hussle’s Vector90
U.S. News - July 25, 2019
Democratic Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg is urging students to speak out against racial bias when they experience it - he speaks to Dream Hustle Code students visiting Nipsey Hussle’s Vector90
Travel Noire - June 28 2019
Meet Ian Brock, The 14-year-old Chicago Native Introducing Computer Science To
Underserved Communities
Medium - March 20, 2018
5 Questions with Dream Hustle Code:
Not Your Average 13yr Old
Education Week - February 19, 2018
He Wants Chicago Kids to Build the Next Silicon Valley. He's 13
Black Enterprise - April 6, 2017
Ray Lewis Presents Chicago 1000 to
Help Bring Jobs to the Windy City
Ashton Kutcher’s A Plus - February 13, 2017
12-Year-Old And His Parents Start A Cookie Company To Send Kids To Coding Camp,
Prove Coding Is For Everybody
Los Angeles Sentinel - December 7, 2016
Changing The Equation – Google Talks Diversity
in Computer Science
