Black History Month: Blacks in Technology
By Max Douge
On the surface, diversity may not seem relevant to the technology industry. After all, technology is for practical use based on the application of scientific information and is not intended to be biased in any way. However, like all industries, diversity in technology plays a crucial role. Ideally, to best understand the needs of its customers, technology businesses should have a diverse team to put forth products that meet the needs and the diversity of all end users.
It’s not that a product for women has to be made solely by women, but input in that product’s development from women will likely enhance its use by women as well as possibly attract more women to use it.
During Black History Month, we spotlight a substantial shortage of Black professionals within the technology industry. Between 2014 and 2021, the proportion of Black professionals in technical roles at large tech companies increased just 1%, according to a report by The Kapor Center and the NAACP (1). At two of the world’s largest tech companies, despite increases in their diversity rates, only 5.6% of Google’s workforce is Black (2), and 4.9% at Meta (Facebook/Instagram) (3). To address low numbers within the industry, many businesses are looking to implement strategies that include:
Creating and implementing more diversity hiring strategies, like recruiting at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) or partnering with organizations like National Society of Black Engineers, Blacks in Technology, and Black Girls Code.
Offering IT apprenticeships as an alternative to college
Offering remote job opportunities to attract a more diverse workforce
Dedication to hiring and promoting more diversity into leadership
Maryland is home to four HBCUs: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore, all of whom offer a computer science program. In nearby Washington DC, Howard University and University of DC also offer the same program. Businesses can attend campus career fairs and attract young talent to Frederick County to begin their tech careers.
Lastly, Frederick County is home to a few Black-owned tech companies, including Boffman Consulting (Daryl Boffman), George Street Service Inc (Theresa Harrison), and MTC Integration (Masai Troutman). This month, FCWS celebrates all Black-owned businesses within Frederick County and their work, and support their workforce efforts year-round.
References:
1 “7 years, 1% increase: Black Representation in Tech Barely Improving” by Roberto Torres