The model and mom of 3 is continually surprising people with her passion for getting girls to embrace coding.
Karlie Kloss has had quite a busy summer, from attending the star-studded wedding of a certain blonde pop singer to turning 34. Kloss is also reaching new heights with the release of a children’s book, “Spaghetti Code: A Story About Problem-Solving, Pasta, and the Power of Big Ideas.”
“Spaghetti Code” follows a girl named Kelly Kent who embarks on a quest to untangle the messy process of building a pasta machine to save her local Italian restaurant. In the endnotes, Kloss gives a message to readers: “For the builders, the breakers, and the curious creators — the world is waiting for you! — K.K.”
Following her TODAY segment on July 28, Kloss, sat down with TODAY.com to talk more about Kode With Klossy, the free girls’ summer coding program she started nearly 11 years ago. She also shared how she’s combatted imposter syndrome and doubt, the relationships she’s maintained with her early scholars and why she considers the venture her “first baby.”
You took a coding class out of the blue, and 11 summers later, you’re here promoting your first children’s book. When you look back at everything that you’ve accomplished, what do you think about that? Did you ever expect that it would end up like this?
KK: I could have never dreamed that Kode With Klossy would grow into what it has become, and this community of scholars around the world would be what it is, which is more than 12,000 incredible young people. We have a few 1000 more in programs this summer, and it’s surreal. I feel like I’ve really grown up with these young women. One of the scholars texted me this morning. I’ve known her since she’s 14 years old, and now she is just thriving in the world, she’s a leader, she’s an entrepreneur. She was like, “We met at camp 10 years ago on the day,” and I was like, “What a crazy full circle moment.” I now have a daughter as well. And so, to think that when she’s 10 years old, Kode With Klossy will be 20 years old, is just wild to me.
What would you say are some of the biggest lessons you‘ve taken away from the young girls that you work with?
KK: Oh my gosh, so much. And I think that’s the thing. Listen, I started working in my career at 15 years old. Just because you’re a young person doesn’t mean that you’re not extremely capable and curious. What we really aim to do is provide access to tools and skills that can build confidence in individuals. And that’s really what Kode With Klossy has always been about, and this book is sort of an opportunity to reach a younger audience with that same idea, of how we can sort of demystify something that can be really intimidating, coding and technology, but help young girls and young people see themselves in these spaces, and that I think is so important.
You use the word intimidating ... were there ever times where you doubted yourself coming into this space, not having as much of a traditional education as some other people, and how did you overcome that?
KK: I think imposter syndrome is something that I’ve certainly experienced in different chapters of my life, but I think that’s part of why I started Kode With Klossy, and I think that’s part of why it has resonated. I am not an extremely educated person who’s worked in technology in this tech industry for my whole career. But that does not mean that I am not curious about these skills and tools. When I started this organization, people were definitely kind of confused. They were like, “What does Karlie have to do with tech?” But the truth is that I want everyone to realize that this is something we all can learn, and I think it’s important whether you want to work in the technology industry or not. It’s important to be informed how technology works as a consumer, as a citizen. So I think it’s important that people realize you don’t have to have a PhD in computer science to find value in understanding this.
I saw online that you started thinking about AI in your curriculum in 2022, and even since then, there’s been so many drastic changes to this space. What are those conversations like within your programming today?
KK: We’ve had AI literacy for four years in our programs, and it’s been a central conversation all the way through. I really want young people to understand what is happening and understand these tools and not be intimidated by them, but to question it and to use it responsibly.
vmagazine via Instagram: For years, Karlie Kloss has been a familiar face in the pages of V. From supermodel to entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, V has had the privilege of documenting the many chapters of her evolution.
Arriving on the scene at just 15, she quickly became one of fashion's defining models, shaping a generation of designers, photographers, and editors alike.
Rather than remain solely in front of the camera, Kloss chose to attend college and channel her platform into education and advocacy through initiatives including Kode With Klossy, the Gateway Coalition, and reproductive healthcare efforts, continuing to prove that her influence was always destined to extend far beyond the runway.
Happy Birthday to my favorite girl Karlie Kloss!! It feels unreal to me that we all get to exist in your magical orbit 💫 The woman that you are. It can never be duplicated. So proud & in awe of everything you achieve. Cheering you on always!
I hope leo season is treating you well, and that your special day is celebrated FULLY! Sleep late, get that extra large iced coffee, eat that cookie, blow out the candles on that milkbar cake! 🎂🥳
May this turn around the sun be even better than the last! You are so loved!💞
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