Community Spotlight: Cris Galo
Cristhian Galo, a passionate first-generation student from Hayward, California, is forging his own path in the tech world after a life-changing encounter with Hack the Hood a few years back.
It all started during his junior year at Mount Eden High School when a Hack the Hood representative walked into his AVID classroom. For Cristhian, this wasn't just another presentation—it was the doorway to his future. He recalls:
“Being a first-generation Latino student, the goal of the program grasped my interest right away.”
At just 16, Cristhian dove into the Hustle program in Fall 2022, mastering Python fundamentals and discovering the powerful social impact of technology. The program's hands-on approach ignited his enthusiasm, especially when he collaborated with peers to build a website for a local business. This real-world experience showed him the incredible possibilities that awaited in tech.
Without family members who had pursued higher education, Cristhian credits Hack the Hood for providing the guidance he desperately needed.
"When Hoss came into my AVID class, I saw that door opening for me," he shares. The program transformed his uncertainty into clarity and purpose, ultimately inspiring his decision to major in Computer Science at California State University East Bay.
Now, in an exciting full-circle moment, Cristhian will return to Hack the Hood this summer—not as a student, but as a Teaching Assistant! This remarkable transition from learner to leader exemplifies his growth and commitment to giving back to the community that set him on his path.
“Tech has become one of my biggest passions.”
With his sights set on becoming a Machine Learning Engineer, Cristhian is passionate about AI's transformative potential. "Tech has become one of my biggest passions," he declares, embodying the success story Hack the Hood aims to create—a first-generation student confidently building his future in an industry where representation matters.
Cris joins fellow Hack the Hood technical instructors and teaching assistants at Summer Orientation!
