Diversity in the tech community

Currently the tech industry has realized there is a lack of diversity from boardrooms to those introducing innovative ideas.  Lucrative pay structures, business opportunity and upward mobility are the heart of the issue when it comes to the absence of a diverse workforce. Internal data from major companies has confirmed that white males own a high majority of firms as well as employee representation. Due to the lack of minority workers, over a lifetime this affects future earning opportunity and wealth accumulation.  Non-profits and STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) programs focused on diversity are openly recruiting and partnering with major companies to address this disparity.

Millennial Blacks and Hispanics are now at a very interesting crossroad to access web development, coding and other tech skills for many of the products they use as consumers.  Minorities are ahead of the curve when it comes to utilizing emerging technology and being early adopters of the latest app trends.  Now, how do we make this large minority realize that in addition to learning the required skills it is equally imperative to shift from employees to business owners?  Exposure to running a business while also affording other minorities job opportunities is essential to self-sustainment. If you do not own it, you do not control it.  Education within the technology sector can create wealth to last for generations to come.

An economic and psychological shift will occur through implementing wealth creation and understanding the impact of supporting minority owned businesses.  As non-profit programs such as #YesWeCode and Code2040 train those from minority low and middle class incomes, we will begin to see a generation that will support themselves and train future groups.  Careers such as web development and computer programming will create a class of innovative creators that companies will want to engage and hire.  As minority groups recover from the economic recession and rebuild themselves, societal issues such as racism, crime, and high unemployment will be addressed head on.

Tech outreach programs will provide exposure to elementary and middle aged students to successful, enriching careers. Not only will Harvard and Stanford students be recruited for Silicon Valley, but also minority institutions and historically black colleges and universities.  It will take a collective collaboration from our entire country beginning with students to demand greater access and challenge the current economic status quo.  Working a job for 30 plus years is now a mere fantasy and various skill sets are required to thrive in our fast paced society.  Creativity and ambition is at the core of succeeding in this ever revolving industry.

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