Jaycee Hermida Holmes, C'2016, serves as director of Spelman Innovation and the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, and as assistant professor in the Department of Art and Visual Culture at Spelman College. She is also a co-founder of CodeHouse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that prepares students of color for the technology industry.
To date, CodeHouse has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to Historically Black College and University students, providing them with a foundation in computer science and resources to secure internships and full-time offers in tech. At Spelman, Holmes serves as the director of Spelman's Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, the campus makerspace and innovation hub that serves as a center for creative inquiry and hands-on experimentation.
Through her leadership at both CodeHouse and Spelman College, she develops initiatives and curricula focused on broadening participation in emerging technologies, game development, and computer science using makerspace pedagogy and project-based curriculum. Her work has been recognized by the inaugural Obama Foundation Leadership Program, the Afrotech Future 50 in the Changemakers category, and Forbes 30 Under 30. Holmes remains passionate about ensuring all voices are represented at the product development table.