Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Jayla Bell's access to the newest and most efficient technology was not always possible. Nevertheless, forced to persistently tinker with and operate her household's only computer, she developed a deep and abiding love for technology. It was also during these times that she discovered her passion for ideation and problem-solving.
A sophomore computer science major at Spelman, Bell is committed to constantly evolving and expanding her knowledge of information sciences and STEM-related disciplines. To that end, she believes workshops and conferences like the UNCF #
HBCUInnovation Summit in Silicon Valley that she and her fellow Spelman peers have been afforded the opportunity to attend are the perfect places for her to grow and learn more about emerging technologies.
Seizing Every Opportunity to Learn and Grow
Earlier this year, Bell and her team of three other camp participants won first place for their project at the 2017
Square Code Camp, a five-day immersive program for college women interested in technology careers. During the program, participants engaged in coding workshops, networking opportunities and leadership sessions, including a talk with Square's CEO Jack Dorsey and capital lead and people lead Jackie Reses.
Focused on solving a current societal issue, Bell's team created an automated lottery system to make it easier for shelters to alert homeless people of available beds via cell phone or through a web application accessible at public libraries.
Upon graduation from Spelman, Bell plans to obtain her master's degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Eventually, she will partner with her sister, Eboni Bell, C'2012, to create a consulting and development firm that caters to small businesses and organizations whose purpose is to effectively use technology in innovative ways. Bell believes she will make a lot of valuable connections at the #HBCUInnovation Summit and will have many meaningful experiences that will better prepare her for a bright future in tech.