Chuka Nweke — Founder of TechBelt Academy

Chuka Nweke

Founder & Lead Instructor — TechBelt Academy

From the vibrant streets of Nigeria to the classrooms of Newark, NJ — my journey has always been driven by one belief: that technology is the great equalizer, and every child deserves a seat at the table.

🎓 Licensed NJ CS Teacher 🌍 Nigerian Born 🏘️ Newark STEM Advocate 💻 CS Educator 🚀 Entrepreneur 🤝 Community Advocate

My Story

Every great program starts with a personal journey. Here is mine.

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Where It All Began — Nigeria

I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I witnessed firsthand how access to education and technology could transform a person's trajectory — and how the lack of it held entire communities back. That experience planted a seed that never stopped growing.

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The Journey to America

Coming to the United States was not just a geographic move — it was a commitment to building something meaningful. I landed in Newark, NJ — a city with incredible heart, deep community roots, and a population of young people hungry for opportunity. I saw immediately that this was where I was meant to be and where my work could matter most.

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Becoming a CS Teacher

I pursued my Computer Science education with purpose — not just to understand technology, but to teach it. Earning my New Jersey teaching certification in Computer Science for grades 9 through 12 was one of the proudest moments of my life. Standing in a classroom, watching a student's face light up the moment code they wrote actually works — there is nothing in the world like that feeling.

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The Problem I Could Not Ignore

As a CS teacher, I noticed something troubling: the technology industry is booming, but the people who look like me — people from African, Caribbean, and Latino communities — are chronically underrepresented. Not because of lack of talent or intelligence, but because of lack of access and early exposure. Students from underserved communities were not getting into coding early enough, and purpose-built programs for these communities were rare.

The Birth of TechBelt Academy

TechBelt Academy was built to change that. I designed a program that meets kids exactly where they are — using the platforms they already love like Roblox, Minecraft, Scratch, and Python — wrapped in a belt progression system that makes every milestone feel like a real achievement. The goal is simple: give every child in Newark a credible pathway into technology, starting as early as age 6.

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What Drives Me Every Day

When a student earns their Black Belt in Python, they are not just learning to code — they are gaining a skill that compounds for life. That is what TechBelt Academy is built around. Real skills. Real milestones. Real futures.

The Mission That Drives Everything

TechBelt Academy exists to expand access to technology education for students from underserved and historically underrepresented communities — giving every child the coding skills, confidence, and credentials they need to thrive in the 21st century economy.

We build a structured pathway that takes a child from their first Scratch animation at age 6 all the way to writing professional Python applications at age 15 — and into college CS programs, internships, and technology careers that will shape their futures.

Every belt earned is a step closer to a future built on real skills.

5 Belt Levels
Ages 6–15 We Start Early
60 Weeks of Curriculum
100% Community Focused

🚀 A Structured Learning Pipeline

By starting with children as young as 6, TechBelt Academy creates a structured pathway that grows with every student — from beginner coder to career-ready technologist.

We are building a structured pipeline from beginner coder to career-ready technologist — one belt at a time.

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White Belt
Age 6+
Yellow Belt
Age 7+
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Orange Belt
Age 9+
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Green Belt
Age 10+
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Black Belt
Age 11+
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Tech Career
Future

From a child's first drag-and-drop animation in Scratch to a teenager's first published Python app — TechBelt Academy walks every step of that journey with them.

What I Stand For

These are not just words on a wall. These are the principles that every class, every belt, and every interaction at TechBelt Academy is built on.

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Access for All

No child should be denied a future in technology because of their zip code or their family's income. Our scholarship fund exists to make sure of that.

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Excellence

We teach real skills using real tools. No shortcuts. No watered-down curriculum. Every TechBelt student learns what it actually takes to succeed in tech.

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Community First

TechBelt Academy is rooted in Newark. We partner with local schools, churches, and organizations because we believe transformation happens from the inside out.

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Representation

Every student should see themselves as a future engineer, developer, or founder. We build environments where all children feel they belong in technology.

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Passion Over Perfection

We celebrate every attempt, every bug fixed, and every breakthrough. A child who loves coding will always figure it out. Our job is to keep that love alive.

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Long Game Thinking

We are not building a program for this year. We are building a generation of technologists whose impact will be felt for decades. Every child is an investment in the future.

Early Impact

TechBelt Academy is building momentum from day one

5
Belt Levels
Fully designed & ready
60
Weeks of Curriculum
Week-by-week lesson plans
10
Max Class Size
Personal attention guaranteed
Aug
Free Trial Classes
4 sessions — all belt levels
Sep 8
Fall Launch
2026 semester start date
$0
Cost to Schools
Zero barrier to partnership

Why Schools Partner With TechBelt Academy

Built for school administrators, after-school coordinators, and principals looking for real STEM enrichment

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Standards-Aligned Curriculum

Structured 12-week programs aligned with STEM enrichment and computer science learning goals

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Small-Group Learning

Maximum 10 students per class ensures every child receives individual attention and support

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Hybrid-Ready Delivery

In-person and Zoom hybrid delivery running simultaneously — flexible for any school setup

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Project-Based Learning

Students build real projects every session — games, apps, and animations they own and can showcase

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Community-Centered Enrichment

Scholarship seats available for students who need financial support — no child is left behind

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Zero Cost to Schools

We manage all enrollment, billing, and instruction. The school provides the room — we provide everything else

Credentials & Background

Your child is not taught by a random tutor. They are taught by a certified, experienced Computer Science educator.

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Licensed NJ CS Teacher

New Jersey certified Computer Science teacher for grades 9–12. Real credentials, real classroom experience.

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Classroom Experience

Real experience teaching Computer Science to high school students in Newark, NJ. I know how to make tech exciting for young learners.

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Community Roots

Born in Nigeria, building in Newark. I understand the communities we serve on a personal level — this work is not just professional, it is personal.

Ready to Join the TechBelt Family?

Whether you are a parent ready to enroll your child, a school administrator interested in a partnership, or a company looking to invest in the next generation of technologists — we want to hear from you.

Enroll My Child Free August Trial Get in Touch