Redefining the Refugee Story with Brenton Strine of Refcode

Episode Summary

Refugees face enormous challenges. Completely starting over. Learning a new language and navigating a new culture. Finding work and attempting to redefine their careers. For most of us, it is hard to even imagine.

After being exposed to Atlanta's large refugee population and drawing from his own life changing experience with software engineering, Brenton Strine founded Refcode, a non-profit that introduces refugees to computer programming. As Brenton explains, it is not just about teaching refugees how to code. Setting off on a new career in tech requires so much more. Refcode continues to expand its broader programming and currently offers not just classes but labs, mentorship, access to paid projects and apprenticeships, and more.

In this episode, we speak with Brenton about his mission to change the typical refugee story. He shares lessons he's learned along the way, how software engineering transformed his life, and how he hopes to open that opportunity for others.

Guest-at-a-Glance

💡 Name: Brenton Strine

💡 What he does: He is the founder of Refcode.

💡 Company: Refcode

💡 Noteworthy: Brenton holds a master's degree in Theology, but he began teaching himself to code in the ‘90s and has gone on to have an extensive career as a software engineer. For the last 20 years, he has been involved with non-traditional software engineering education as a learner, a teacher, a creator, and an innovator. Now he is working to solve the opportunity gap for refugees in tech by creating an ironclad talent pipeline that teaches skills that are usually only gained through traditional education or extensive experience.

💡 Where to find Brenton: LinkedIn | Website