Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Coach Victor Hicks of East Atlanta

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Coach Victor Hicks. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Victor, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
At St. Thomas More Catholic School in Decatur, I made it my mission to ensure that every student—especially our Black and Brown scholars—felt seen and valued. I founded the St. Josephine Bakhita Club to support students of color and help them explore their identities through service, leadership, and faith. We partnered with the Atlanta University Center institutions—Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and Morehouse—to connect our students with the HBCU legacy right in their backyard.

During our Black History Month Mass, I shared remarks that uplifted HBCUs as a vital part of our collective history and a living testament to faith, resilience, and excellence in the Black community. Shortly afterward, despite receiving stellar evaluations throughout the year, I was informed that my contract would not be renewed. I was told my “personal passion for HBCUs” did not align with the school’s direction.

That decision cost me my position, but not my purpose. I stood up for my students and for the truth that Black excellence and Catholic education are not in conflict—they complement one another. The experience strengthened my resolve to create spaces where students’ culture, faith, and brilliance can coexist unapologetically.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Victor “Coach” Hicks, Founder and Lead Instructor of Coding with Culture. We’re a computer science and STEM education program based in Atlanta that’s all about building a Kindergarten through HBCU pathway in tech and design thinking.

What makes Coding with Culture different is how we center culture in the learning. We don’t just teach coding; we show students how it connects to who they are. One day they might be designing apps inspired by HBCU life, and the next they’re coding games based on Black superhero stories or building STEM projects tied to the work of the Black Panther Party.

I started Coding with Culture because I wanted Black and Brown kids to see themselves in technology, not as users but as creators. Right now, we’re growing partnerships with schools and community programs across the globe, so more young people can see that tech is for them too. For us, it’s bigger than coding—it’s about belonging, identity, and legacy.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that shaped me the most was the one I had with my Aunt Julie. My aunt was a stellar veteran educator in both 2nd grade and computer science/technology. She recent;y passed from cancer, but the lessons she left me with still guide everything I do. She was the person who taught me how to stand firm in my identity and walk through this world with grace, pride, and a commitment to empowerinig Black and Brown children, no matter what.

Aunt Julei believed in me before I even believed in myself. She showed me that loving your people and serving your community with excellence isn;t an option, it is the assignment. Losing her was hard, but her strength and spirit ive in how I teach, hojw I mentor, and how I show up for my students. Everytime I see a young person start to believe in their own brilliance, I see a piece of her light shining through.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the definining wounds of my life has been learning what it means to be seen and unseen as a Black, gay man working in education. I’ve experienced being celebrated for my talent and leadership, then penalzied when my full identity, or advocacy nade people uncomfortable.. Losing jobs opportunities, and even relationships for standing in my truth left real scars.

But I’ve healed building Coding with Culture, a space where I odn’t have to shrink, and neither do my students. I’ve healed by choosing purpose over approval, and surrounding myself with people who see me fully and love me anyway. My community,, my faith, and my commitment to helping Black kids see themselves as brilliant and whole- that’s where my healing lives.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth that not everyone agrees with me on is that Black students should be prioritizing HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), especially right now. I know people say “college is college,” but I simply do not believe that. HBCU’s were built for us and in many cases by us. They are one of the few spaces in the country intentionally designed for Black Brilliance to thrive unapologetically..

At a time when diversity programs are being dismantled and equity is being treated like a bad word, HBCUs remain a safe haven for identity, pride, and excellence. That’s why I tell my students that choosing an HBCU is not limiting- it is liberating! It;’s choosing to be educated in a community that sees you, affirms you, and prepares you to walk into the world already understanding your worth.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Right now, I am doing the slow work of building something that lasts. Coding with Culture is definitely still growing; in my mind it’s still very much in it’s infancy. But, I am dedicating my time to building a pathway- a true Kindergarten through HBCU ecosystem that will take years to fully bloom.

The work I do today, such as mentoring young students, training teachers, and partnering with schools, won’t show it’s full return for another decade, I’m sure. But I don’t mind playing the long game. In fact, I am here for it! I am intentionally building a legacy where a Black child can learn coding in elementary school and end up walking across an HBCU graduation stage, prepared to lead in tech and design. That’s the payoff I am working toward.

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