About Kids Next Code
Kids Next Code is a tech driven program for youth that provides support in the areas of Coding, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Design, and other tech & STEAM related subjects. We strive to be a resource for students in underserved communities to facilitate the expansion of their career opportunities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to enrich student learning and provide engaging, interactive, hands-on lessons that enhance problem solving skills and prepare our youth to be competitive in a tech driven society.
Learn
We make complex tech concepts accessible and fun through project-based learning that engages and inspires.
Create
Students build real working projects, developing both hardware and software skills through hands-on experience.
Innovate
Students build real working projects, developing both hardware and software skills through hands-on experience.
Meet the Kids Next Code Team
Meet the passionate educators, engineers, and technologists who make Kids Next Code possible.
Travis A. Reeves
Founder/Director
Travis is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and proud husband and father of two. He is a Software Engineer and tech instructor with over 10 years of IT professional experience and 8 years of educator experience. He received his undergraduate degree in Information Systems at Georgia Southern in 2010 and his MBA at Central Michigan University in 2013. In 2016, he started the Kids Next Code organization and since then has taught over 2,000 tech courses to elementary, middle, and high school students. Travis has organized a variety of different community programs throughout the years for kids and adults such as Kids Tech Day, Youth Entrepreneurship boot camps, Adult Sip and Code, Coding & Robotics boot camps for kids, minority business showcases for adults, and youth tech & STEM festivals.
Some of his partnerships in Georgia consist of teaching coding to inmates at the Dekalb County Jail, working with Emory University’s Youth Summer Science program, Kennesaw State’s Engineering program, teaching Coding classes at Fulton and Clayton County’s libraries, and youth centers throughout Georgia.
His IT career consists of providing IT support to various companies throughout the years such as SunTrust Banks, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Fulton County School System, The National Flood Services, and the Georgia Lottery company to name a few.
Don Griffin
Co-Founder, Director of Engineering & Robotics
Donald Griffin is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. He is also the Co-Owner of Kids Next Code Robotics and Engineering.
Mr. Griffin has over 20 years of engineering experience with a post graduate degree in Technical Management, additionally he holds engineering certifications from MIT and USC. Previously, he worked at Northrop Grumman where he managed the strategic planning and development processes, and he supervised modernization production program activities for the B-2 program. Currently, he serves as Senior Engineering Manager for Lockheed Martin, Corporation where he manages the development for production support and oversees logistics for Advanced Development Programs.
Mr. Griffin is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he has served on national committees, he has held several local and regional leadership positions, and has served on non-profit boards in his previous home region of Southern California. Donald is committed to serving his community by supporting young people. His life’s motto is: "One should seek ACHIEVEMENT in the field of every endeavor."
Vanessa Payero
Coding Instructor Lead
Vanessa is a Computer programming student with experience in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. She has experience assisting youth in tutoring, Coding, and college and career readiness. In addition to English, she is also fluent in Spanish and has prior instructor experience with the Latin American Association.
Kalo Gomez
Engineering Instructor Lead
Kalo is a Mechanical Engineering major at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He currently works as a 3D print manager for KSU and trains youth for state wide Engineering & Robotics competitions.
