Academy for Technologists Extraordinaire

Hi, I’m Robin Walker, founder of Academy for Technologists Extraordinaire, Inc (aka BYOC—Build Your Own Computer—Camps and Clubs). I launched BYOC in 2014 with a simple but powerful vision: to give youth from my community the opportunity to learn, grow, and discover their brilliance through technology. I believe in helping young people see that what may seem impossible is absolutely possible—and that they are capable of amazing, world-changing things.

Our mission is clear: to build a pipeline of youth into tech careers. As a technologist with over 30 years of experience, this is how I give back—by developing more technologists. Technology is everywhere. It shapes every industry, every future. And through BYOC, we’re making sure our youth are part of that future.

We work with youth year-round:

• Full-day summer camps that immerse students in hands-on tech learning
• Saturday sessions during the school year to keep momentum going
• Trips to Silicon Valley to visit major tech companies and see innovation up close
• And the Youth Tech Summit, a full-day conference for youth ages 12–25 to explore tech careers and the skills to get there

Since 2014, we’ve worked with over 1000 youth—and we’ve evolved, grown, and deepened our impact. We start early (age 9), laying a foundation that lasts. We create unforgettable experiences. And we see the results: youth choosing majors in Computer Science, Engineering, Digital Art, and more. Even those who pursue other paths leave BYOC with a strong understanding of technology—an asset in any career.

We ask for your support. Financial contributions and partnerships are vital to our support keeps BYOC not only alive—but thriving. Because of you, we had record summers in 2022 and 2023: 150 youth served over 8 weeks, more scholarships than ever, and bus transportation from 27 Greater Cincinnati communities. We even welcomed students from New Mexico, Detroit, and North Carolina.

We ask that you support BYOC.   We need your help financially and in partnerships. We are building more and more partnerships to grow our impact on our community. I don't have enough words to express the value of your support to us.   We keep this program not only in existence but growing because of you:  your interest, your help, your financial support.  

Because of your support 2022 and 2023 were record years with 150 youth attending classes over 8 weeks, with more scholarships than ever and bus transportation from across Greater Cincinnati.  We impacted youth from 27 communities across Greater Cincinnati.  And we had students from New Mexico, Detroit and North Carolina.  We appreciate all of you who have supported us in the past.

We want to grow this impact—and we need you. We want to increase the joy, the creativity, the tech projects in motion. We see our youth step into their futures with confidence and purpose.  That is what we’ve worked for. And it’s happening.

Thank you for helping us make it happen.