Now, there is encouraging news about efforts to prepare more students --and a more diverse set of students -- for the next generation of computer science jobs. According to new College Board data, students from the class of 2019 who took Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) were three times more likely to declare a computer science major in college, compared to similar students who did not take AP CSP. Differences are similarly large for female, Black, Hispanic, and first-generation college students.

New research out today is good news for business leaders looking to hire the next generation of computer science workers. Students from the class of 2019 who took Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles were three times more likely to declare a computer science major in college, according to College Board data.

AP Computer Science Principles, or AP CSP, was designed by the College Board four years ago to change the invitation to computer science and address a shortage of young women and students of color entering the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), long dominated by young white and Asian men.

"Four years ago, we set out to change the invitation to computer science education," says College Board Global Policy Chief Stefanie Sanford. "This new research provides compelling evidence that AP CSP is doing exactly that."

"We are inspired to see how this course is playing a role in students' high school and college careers just four years after its launch. States, schools, and educators providing access to AP CSP are ensuring a more representative body of students will become our next generation of computer scientists, engineers, and technology leaders."

College freshmen who declare a computer science major take a critical step toward receiving the second-highest-paid college degree in the nation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019. And yet, a code.org analysis of 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds women represent just 24 percent of the 5 million people in computing occupations, while 15 percent are Black or Hispanic.

The College Board study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) -- a more computer-programming-focused course -- compared to similar students who did not take CSP. Black students who take AP CSP are three times more likely to also take AP CSA. Notably, that's virtually the same share as Asian CSP students, who have long led AP CSA participation.

Business leaders such as Shanika Hope, head of the U.S. division of Amazon Future Engineer, are enthusiastic about AP Computer Science Principles and its future economic impact. "At Amazon, we know a high-quality computer science education is key to helping students build their best and brightest future, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. We're excited that today's research shows further evidence that courses like AP CSP -- which we provide for thousands of our Amazon Future Engineer schools across the U.S. -- are preparing a more diverse group of students to enter the 21st century workforce."

The first year of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016-17 attracted more students than any other AP course debut, and participation is on the rise. Still, not all students have access to high-quality computer science education. Currently, less than half of the nation's high schools teach foundational computer science. States are working to broaden participation in computer science by passing policies to make computer science a fundamental part of the K-technology12 education system. Students interested in AP CSP can learn more at collegeboard.org/csp.

Curiosity starts with self-education and self- reflection to better understand our beliefs as well as talking to others about ethnicity and racism.

Courage is necessary to confront our own unacknowledged biases and recognize where some of them come from, including our upbringing or involvement in various groups, or from society at large.

Finally, one of the most profound ways of changing attitudes about others is engaging in close relationships with people from other ethnicities. Building and maintaining relationships with individuals of differing backgrounds allows recognition of our common humanity and shared struggles.

However, experts point out that being aware of, acknowledging, and changing deeply-ingrained racist ways of thinking is difficult and takes time and effort.

The human mind resists change to protect our self-esteem from uncomfortable truths, and our minds unconsciously work diligently to avoid uncovering painful and distressing knowledge about ourselves. Even making change we know will make us feel better, such as exercising more, can be hard to initiate and sustain.

"Often, changes to how we think or do things require a shift in how we view ourselves, our needs, and our relationships," says Deeba Ashraf, MD, member of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA). "And changing attitudes about race can be especially hard because these attitudes are usually learned when we are very young."

Beverly J. Stoute, a child and adolescent psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, says children develop awareness of and curiosity about racial differences early. "As children grow, parents, teachers, media representations, and interactions with different groups can either powerfully facilitate or thwart children's openness to racial and ethnic differences," said Dr. Stoute, also a member of APsaA.

There are many ways we try to protect ourselves from painful feelings or unwanted truths about our own beliefs. One way is by asserting that unpleasant truths are not real, otherwise known as denial. Another way is to imagine these "horrible truths" only exist in others and not in ourselves. This is called projection and it involves attributing qualities like laziness or criminality to a particular group; while overlooking how these traits might apply to ourselves, or those in our own group.

Hence, "group identity," also presents a challenge to changing attitudes about racism. Being part of a group can offer a sense of connection and protection, and in some cases, prestige. Many group identity attitudes are passed on from generation to generation, but also part of ongoing relationships with others who share the same ideas. Trying to change an entrenched attitude can result in group members feeling threatened or fearing a loss of group membership, according to APsaA experts.

Yet, when people can break through these unconscious ways of protecting their self-image, they may recognize the costs of racism and look at the loss and pain it inflicts on oneself and others. It may be possible to reevaluate one's own ideas of what is healthy and growth-oriented. This process can be difficult, but managing the discomfort these efforts provoke can motivate a desire to change, psychoanalysts say.

"I am reminded of a quote from James Baldwin, 'People can cry much easier than they can change'," says Ebony Dennis, PsyD, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who is also an APsaA member. "Changing attitudes about racism will take time and effort, and occasionally some hurt feelings. But it is through these growing pains that real, lasting change happens."

Yes, it's widely recognized that women have taken the brunt of the nation's total job losses -- they're still down 5.3 million vs. 4.6 million for men even with the economy having rebounded somewhat off its COVID-19 lows -- largely because working remotely isn't possible in the hard-hit businesses like restaurants, hotels and retail stores where females dominate. And, yes, it's also recognized that many moms were forced to drop out to look after their kids after schools went remote -- with nearly four out of 10 currently working women still actively considering doing likewise, according to a recent survey by Fidelity Investments.

But what's not talked about as much is this: the potential long-term consequences of having had their financial security and career prospects upended by the pandemic.

"Being in a position to take a career break by choice can be considered a privilege," said Lorna Kapusta, head of women investors at Fidelity. "But we know for many in times of crisis like this one that stepping back from work is more like a necessity. Either way, it's critically important to understand the decision's impact on your savings today and into the future, so you can take steps to address it."

Fidelity conducted an analysis of the estimated effect even a one-year career break could have on retirement savings, and the results are staggering.

Exhibit No. 1: Say you took your "break" at age 35 when you'd been earning $50,000 a year and had to subsequently accept a slightly lower salary just to get back into the workforce. Assuming a conservative 4.5 percent annual growth rate and factoring in lost retirement contributions -- including a 3 percent match from your ex-employer on top of what would have been your own 9 percent contribution -- your 401(k) would be $106,469 lighter ($733,325 vs. $839,594) by the time you turned 67.

Exhibit No. 2: Substitute a $75,000 salary and the difference is even bigger ($159,702, or $1,099,679 vs. $1,259,381).

Exhibit No. 3: And bigger still at $100,000 ($212,936, or $1,466,233 vs. $1,679,169).

Plus, don't forget there's also the matter of lost Social Security contributions. "Your benefit is calculated based on your top 35 years of earnings," said Kapusta. "So if you work fewer years, have a lower salary, or don't reach the minimum eligibility, you may have a smaller check when it comes time to collect in retirement." All of which helps explain the impetus for launching Fidelity's weekly Q&A discussion series called "Women Talk Money." Airing live on Zoom every Wednesday at noon ET and available later on demand, each 30-minute interactive episode uses viewer-submitted questions to address a different topic each week, ranging from job loss to health care to the hidden costs of caregiving.

"It's real talk to help answer women's most pressing money questions right now -- no jargon or judgment," said Kapusta, noting that the program's six-part, archived video series is also must-see viewing for those who want to learn the key factors that can significantly impact women's financial futures.

Finally, some historical perspective. When the Labor Department first started tracking such data back in 1948, only one third of women held jobs. That number had nearly doubled by the late 1990s.

And today? The ratio of women working has fallen below 57 percent for the first time since 1988.

Learning to manage money together builds trust and helps diffuse future financial conflicts, according to the website of the Certified Financial Planner Board Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning.

The CFP Board offers these tips for couples to make the most of their money:

- Talk first, then plan. If you haven't talked about finances before getting married or moving in with a partner, it is never too late. Start with an honest discussion of each other's assets and debts (if any.) Next, create shared financial goals, whether they include saving for a house, paying off student debt or starting a business.

- Manage together. Benefits of a shared bank account include equal access to money and easier long-term planning. But even if your accounts are separate, create a budget together with plans for covering monthly and other expenses.

- Update leases and beneficiaries. Not all couples choose to legally share a home, but having both names on home-ownership documents can make future refinancing easier. Also, creating or changing an existing will to update beneficiaries ensures that your partner will have access to your assets if something happens to you, and vice versa. This includes not only wills, but also IRAs, 401(k) plans and insurance policies.

- Think long term. Discuss an emergency fund with your partner, and start one if you haven't. An emergency fund available to both partners can be used to manage expenses such as sudden unemployment, illness or a major home repair. But make sure both partners contribute to retirement accounts, through employer 401(K)s or other accounts.

- Think short term. Try a weekly money date to review finances and progress towards goals. If issues arise and the conversation gets tense, step back and revisit the issues when you cool off. Remember, the more often you talk about money with your partner, the easier the conversations will be, and making trust and honesty a priority in financial planning will pay off in your fiscal and personal relationship.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org for more financial planning tips and guidance and to locate a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in your area.

"Warner takes readers on an epic, white-knuckle ride through one of history's most chilling untold stories."

Little Anton by John W. Warner IV is a riveting historical novel from a born truth teller. Teetering between fact and fiction, it begins with a trove of historical knowledge we would remember from high school, had we been paying attention. Then it slides off-center into the occult where credibility meets intrigue. Add real-life characters Adolph Hitler, Ferdinand Porsche, and Sir Winston Churchill, and Mr. Warner's novel in three parts has something for everyone.

The son of retired Senator John W. Warner III (R-VA), former Secretary of the Navy and Chairman of the Armed Services Committee (KBE), and Catherine Mellon, banking heiress and daughter of philanthropist Paul Mellon (OSS, KBE), Warner says growing up in a family that had a seat at many of the most historically significant tables led to his insatiable quest to find and reveal hidden truths behind world events.

Warner's book begins during that unsettling time between the two World Wars. Europe is struggling to find her place; countries are repairing cities and economies. And yet, innovation and invention emerge, challenging long-held beliefs and fears.

LOVE STORY, SPY NOVEL AND MORE

Deftly, Warner weaves industrial history, the women's movement, international relations, America's foreign policy, and engineering with the thrills and dangers of racing - both on the ground and in the air. Presented as historical fiction, Little Anton is also a love story, a spy novel, and a book about engines, auto racing, adventure, war, and intrigue.

Although it begins as a paean to Dr. Porsche, the fictional Sunderlands, Briggs and Lainey, and their spirited daughter Bea soon take center stage.

Lady Bea, and her debutante friends live lavishly in British society, gossiping over tea and whiskey about suitors and hemlines.

Part One revolves around the Grand Prix racing circuit and the rivalry and technological advances of the auto world. Imagine fancy dresses and oil-stained coveralls, straw boaters and leather helmets. It's a heady mix of high society and gritty race drivers - at high speeds with sharp corners.

BLEEDS FICTION INTO HISTORY

At the race course, we learn that Hitler is a sports car enthusiast. After he becomes chancellor, his passion for fast cars grows in scope and influence, and he enlists the help and brains of the genius, Professor Porsche.

Warner bleeds fiction into history. The irrepressible Lady Bea finds a soul mate in her uncl,e Sir Winston Churchill, and as WW II looms inevitably, that relationship proves pivotal.

Bea enlists as a spy for Great Britain. Her mission is to infiltrate Porsche's workshop and locate the plans for Hitler's tank commission. Bea is up to the task: she can fly an airplane upside down, shoot a gun, speak four languages, and handily assist in the Grand Prix pit. She's a volatile James Bond - seductive and irresistible, but dangerous and explosive.

Mr. Warner clearly shows a passion for detail in his research and love for his subject matter. That passion powers the story and the characters -- both real and imagined. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3mv03ly.

NOTE: BookBites is brought to you by BookTrib.com.

The programming kicks off on January 23 at 8 pm ET/PT with "Salt-N-Pepa," a three-hour Lifetime original movie about the groundbreaking hip-hop duo, starting with their days as students at Queensborough Community College and their first recording experiences.

The story details the duo's unprecedented success as the first female rap group to go platinum, and features several of the duo's hits, including "Let's Talk About Sex," "What a Man," "Shoop," and "Push It."

The movie also explores Salt-N-Pepa's impact on hip-hop culture, with their frank lyrics about men and sex that paved the way for future female rappers. The movie stars GG Townson as Cheryl "Salt" James and Laila Odom as Sandra "Pepa" Denton.

Following the movie, the Emmy® and NAACP award-winning Loni Love hosts a documentary, "Let's Talk About Salt-N-Pepa," featuring exclusive interviews with Salt and Pepa about what makes their partnership work, and their ongoing influence on the music world.

Next up, on January 30, "Wendy Williams: The Movie" airs as the first biopic about Wendy Williams, outspoken television host and self-proclaimed "Queen of all Media."

Executive produced by Wendy Williams, the movie tells the story of her career path from her early days as an urban radio host and how she overcame obstacles both personal and professional to achieve her goal of having her own syndicated talk show. Despite all the naysayers and obstacles Wendy encountered throughout her life, her strength and determination have allowed her to thrive. Ciera Payton plays Wendy Williams, joined by Morocco Omari as Wendy's ex-husband, Kevin Hunter.

The film is followed by the documentar "Wendy Williams: What a Mess!" in which Ms. Williams gives a raw and emotional interview.

Finally, "Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn't We Almost Have it All," a two-hour documentary scheduled for February 6, explores the emotional story of Whitney Houston and her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and their parallel stories, including the pressures of life in the spotlight and struggles with drugs and alcohol.

The program includes conversations with friends and family for a candid look at the ups and downs of the lives of this famous mother and daughter.

Visit mylifetime.com for more about Lifetime's winter programming and other events.

"This narrative is a story of the will to overcome the kind of adversity that can crush the spirit…but not this one." -- Sol Gittleman, professor and provost emeritus at Tufts University.

"Ed Hajim's life story makes Horatio Alger look like an underachiever." -- Ken Roman, former CEO of Ogilvy & Mather.

"A bend in the road," says Ed Hajim, "is not the end of the road."

He should know. At the age of three, Hajim was kidnapped by his father, driven cross-country, and told that his mother was dead. He pressed his face against the car window, watched the miles pass and wondered where life would take him. It took him on a journey from one dire situation to the next, from one crowded orphanage to an unfamiliar foster home, from having one semi-present parent to having none. It was a daily struggle to survive.

Yet somehow, not only does Hajim make it through, but using his own grit and determination, he flourishes. His life comes full circle and he lives the American dream as an accomplished Wall Street executive and model family man with great moral fiber and the means to give back to a world that early on seemed intent on rejecting him.

Hajim's vivid memoir, On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom, is several storylines in one: the improbable tale of how the author overcame the heavy odds against him as a child; the incredible ride up the corporate ladder to a stellar professional career; and a study in the drive, principles, philosophy and character of a man seeking his dream.

Hajim served as a senior investment executive at such firms as E.F. Hutton, Lehman Brothers and other financial institutions, regularly transforming fledgling operations into generating solid growth. He made contributions to the University of Rochester, eventually as chairman of its board. His life accomplishments were rightfully acknowledged in 2015 with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award.

Hajim took every experience as a learning opportunity. The Navy, for example, "trained me to become deliberate in everything I do. It showed me that every mission needs well-defined rules. And it showed me that no mission can be accomplished without a well-motivated team."

Throughout his career, Hajim was guided by his instincts to know when a situation had run its course and it was time to move on. "Sometimes it's better to sever ties and leave on your own, even if the next step is unknown," he writes. "That's often the road less traveled, but it's so worth the journey."

Says Renee Fleming, "On the Road Less Traveled is a moving, personal history that demonstrates the importance of being faithful to one's core values -- a road map for a life well lived."

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

According to U.S. Census Bureau research projections (www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p25-1143.pdf), the United States will have a minority majority population by 2045 as Black, Latino and Asian-American communities grow. These traditionally underrepresented populations are not only growing in size, but they are also building greater wealth.

Purchasing power among people of color has increased exponentially since 2019. The annual buying power of Black consumers was estimated by Nielsen to be $1.3 trillion in 2019 -- a roughly 48 percent increase over 2010. Latino purchasing power grew by nearly 70 percent over the same period, according to the University of Georgia, reaching approximately $1.7 trillion in 2019. Additionally, the wealthiest fifth of Blacks -- more than three million households -- has an average wealth of $395,000, while the wealthiest fifth of Latinos households have more than $400,000 in average wealth.

The U.S. Census Bureau data indicates a large population that could benefit from financial planning advice as families generate more wealth. Research published by the Journal of Financial Planning found that Black and Latino households are less likely than white families to work with a financial planner, and an even smaller percentage of those households choose to receive comprehensive financial planning advice.

Financial advisors and their firms have an opportunity to reach these underserved groups and diversify their client base while providing a valuable and empowering service. One way to do so, according to the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, is to ensure that the financial planning workforce reflects the diversity of wealth-building communities. It currently does not: Only about 4 percent of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals self-report as Black or Latino, whereas nearly 32 percent of the U.S. population identifies as Black or Latino.

The Center is leading a collaborative, profession-wide effort to implement sustainable diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that can address this systemic challenge and foster greater diversity among financial planners.

Visit CFP.net/The-Center-for-Financial-Planning to learn more about the Center's diversity-focused initiatives and get involved.

Diversifying the financial planner workforce is a prudent strategy for financial firms seeking to diversify their client base.

"Financial Planner Use Among Black and Hispanic Households," by Kenneth J. White Jr, Ph.D., and Stuart J. Heckman, Ph.D., CFP®, Journal of Financial Planning, September 2016, pp 40-49 http://bit.ly/2NU627O

If you're able to use a whole room as a workspace, it can be outfitted fully with custom built-ins and decorated in appropriate style. Lisa Michael Interiors juxtaposes crisp white-painted hardwood cabinetry with navy-blue nautically inspired wallpaper and accessories in this shipshape Boca Raton home office. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about putting American hardwoods to work in your home.

1. FRESH & MINIMAL

Photograph: Rebecca McAlpin

In a Philadelphia house, designer Mel McDaniel uses three beech desktops, purchased at a local big-box store, to turn an alcove into a simple but effective workspace for two people. Vintage chairs, painted white, and a pair of residential table lamps complete the homey yet professional look. 

2. OFFICE IN A CLOSET

Photograph: Alan Tansey

For many homeowners, finding sufficient space for a dedicated office is a problem. One solution, even in a small apartment, is to transform a closet with hardwood built-ins. Michael K Chen Architecture shows how it’s done with this admirably compact yet surprisingly roomy example in a New York loft.

3. WORKING UNDER STAIRS

Photograph: Paul Barnaby

If you live in a multistory house, you may have a dark space under the stairs that could be made to look and function better. In Los Angeles, Hamilton Architects transform one such triangle into a bright home office with a built-in hardwood desk and a strategically placed window. 

4. THE ATTIC OFFICE

Photograph: Eric Roth

As Hutker Architects and designer Kathleen Walsh demonstrate in this farmhouse on Martha’s Vineyard, the height-challenged space under the eaves in an attic can be the ideal spot for a substantial work surface. Dormer windows bathe the custom oak-and-steel desking with daylight while also providing a view.  

5. THE FULLY FITTED OFFICE

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Photograph: Jessica Glynn Photography @jessglynnphoto

If you’re able to use a whole room as a workspace, it can be outfitted fully with custom built-ins and decorated in appropriate style. Lisa Michael Interiors juxtaposes crisp white-painted hardwood cabinetry with navy-blue nautically inspired wallpaper and accessories in this shipshape Boca Raton home office. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about putting American hardwoods to work in your home. 

 "How To Be A Badass Vigilante: Book One"
by Michael Anderle 

When given power, what would you be willing to sacrifice for the greater good?

Fed up with playing the normal game, ex-cum laude, ex-soccer star, ex-popular and mostly broke Kera MacDonagh changed her life when she read "How to be a Badass Witch" (http://amzn.to/3qfAzLz) and shockingly, the spells worked.

She barely made it out of the first few weeks of on-the-job training before her powers got her in trouble. Hunted as a magical vigilante, the Kims sacrificed to keep her safe.

Kera hunts criminals in the darkness of LA, but will she be able to hide the signature of her powers, too? Will magic be enough to help her come out on top? Purchase at http://amzn.to/2XscEMv.

"No More Dodging Bullets"
by Amy Herrig

After overcoming a heroin addiction as a teenager, Amy Herrig faced a different addiction 20 years later: money. She and her father were thriving as small business owners in Dallas when a government lawsuit threatened to take everything -- their businesses, their money, and their freedom.

Accused of crimes she hadn't committed, Amy fought to stay out of prison, but that wasn't all. From one life-altering change after another, she gained a new perspective on herself and on what matters most in life. From an exhausting and demoralizing situation came a new outlook of gratitude, but also remorse and humility. Purchase at https://amzn.to/34kSUhJ.

"Red Souls"
by Susan F. Banks

Called "a creative and entertaining new novel ... artfully combines the best elements of science fiction, paranormal, fantasy, and magical realism into a suspenseful and imaginative story with a tasty dose of romance. The reader has access to a wonderful new world with ... strange phenomena and intriguing characters."

Willet, a young woman with abnormally sensitive hearing, is recruited by a 165-year-old Astral Master named Gem to help her drive Red Souls out of Los Angeles. Red Souls attack the minds and emotions of humans who succumb to violence, dread and despair.

Gem must form a Circle to fight the astral attacks. Willet, her sister and the men they love create a fighting force powerful enough to defeat an ancient evil. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qG3Hvv.

"The F Place"
by Sonal Trivedi and Christine Strobush

Beneath the placid surface, there is a toxic culture at The F Place. The company is plagued by backstabbing leaders, drama, lies, scandal, and unhappy employees to the point that both the performance and the wellbeing of the people in the company are fractured. 

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.