Karlie Kloss Celebrates 10 Years of “Kode With Klossy” in St. Louis
Model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss recently commemorated the 10-year anniversary of her nonprofit program, “Kode With Klossy,” which inspires and empowers young women to explore the world of computer coding. The milestone was celebrated in her hometown of St. Louis, marking a decade of impact in the tech education landscape.
Early Inspiration and Founding of Kode With Klossy
Kloss began her journey into coding at the age of 15 while establishing her fashion career. Meeting founders of tech companies, she enrolled in a two-week coding bootcamp in New York City, seeking insight into the technology driving their innovations. This experience revealed the lack of female representation in tech, igniting her passion to create a supportive community for young women.
Empowering Young Women in Technology
To celebrate the anniversary, Kloss hosted an event at Energizer Park’s Ultra Club, attended by more than 150 individuals. Her initiative encourages girls aged 13 to 18 to pursue careers in technology. Since its inception, over 11,000 scholars from 99 countries have participated in Kode With Klossy camps, with 78% of U.S. alumnae pursuing degrees in computer science or engineering. This is significant, considering women currently represent only about 21.5% of computer science graduates in the U.S.
Future Initiatives: City of the Future
During the event, Kloss unveiled plans for a “City of the Future,” a multiyear initiative aimed at providing continuous local programming for Kode With Klossy scholars and alumni in St. Louis. This ambitious project, in partnership with World Wide Technology, seeks to connect local youth with career opportunities in technology through collaborations with schools, colleges, and civic leaders.
Community Support Amidst Tragedy
Kloss’ visit came shortly after a tornado struck the St. Louis area on May 14, causing significant damage and tragically resulting in five fatalities. In response to the calamity, she and her family donated supplies at the O’Fallon Park YMCA to assist victims. Kloss also announced her commitment to the St. Louis Community Foundation Tornado Response Fund, emphasizing her dedication to supporting long-term recovery efforts in the community.
Kloss’ Impressive Ventures and Philanthropy
In addition to her philanthropic efforts, Kloss has an impressive portfolio that includes investments in fashion tech startups like Bods and MmErch, a blockchain-enabled AI-powered fashion firm. Along with her husband, Thrive Capital founder Josh Kushner, she established Bedford Media, a media holding company that encompasses iconic properties like Life magazine.
A Custom Tribute to St. Louis Fashion
The event also featured a special nod to St. Louis fashion, with local designer Leonard Stewart Jr. creating a custom “SC” jacket for Kloss, inspired by the city’s professional soccer team. This collaboration highlights Kloss’ commitment to local talent and the fashion industry’s connection to the community, further endorsed by prominent athletes like Patrick Mahomes, who favor Q Ambition designs.
Opportunities for Aspiring Designers
Lastly, aspiring fashion students are reminded that applications are open for the Susan Sherman Fashion Scholarship, offering $5,000 for studies in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, and related fields. Eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher at a Missouri college or university, with winners announced at the annual “Fashion Futures” event on July 31.
