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What should have been a simple visit to a cash a check turned into a troubling experience for one black coding student, according to entrepreneur Rodney Sampson.


In a series of tweets, Sampson described what happened when a student studying at Code Start—a 13-month-long coding and career readiness program—tried to cash his monthly stipend at Atlanta Check Cashing on Tuesday. The facility's manager allegedly accused the student of trying to cash a check that wasn't his and called the police, who reportedly detained him. (A representative from the Atlanta Police Department said no one was arrested during the exchange).

Sampson describes quickly arriving to the scene to try and help, the student dismayed and terrified, and the check cashing center blithely turning the other cheek. His tweets are worth reading in full.



















One of the Code Start mentors posted about the incident on Facebook.


Sampson has received messages of support on Twitter since he wrote about the events. He's invited those interested to volunteer or offer financial support for the program.


Atlanta Check Cashing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Danielle Wiener-Bronner is a news reporter.