1 in 100: Race in Tech by the Numbers
An image from CODE2040 and the Level Playing Field Institute's new INFOGRAPHIC on the tech opportunity gap.
CODE2040 is approaching it’s two year anniversary, which, when you factor in the research we did before we formally launched the organization, means I’ve been speaking to people near daily about race in Silicon Valley and the broader tech sector for almost 1000 days.
It wasn’t too far into that journey that I realized that it would be helpful to have hard data on the tip of my tongue to help guide the conversation -- not just for those who were skeptical that Silicon Valley and the tech industry have a diversity problem, but for those who are convinced but want a fact-filled arsenal to help them more deeply understand the issue and talk about it with allies and skeptics alike.
The idea of putting together an infographic, therefore, occurred to me early on after founding CODE2040. But with all the focus required to put together the first two iterations of the Fellows Program, we didn’t prioritize a public version of our data until recently.
Now I’m thrilled to share this infographic that CODE2040 and The Level Playing Field Institute put together over the course of this past year from the data that each of our organizations use internally to guide our programs. We hope that this data will help us and others tell the story of why it’s so important for organizations like CODE2040, LPFI, Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, CodeNow, Black Founders, Latino Startup Alliance, and others to exist.
Over the course of this coming year, I’ll be continuing to write regularly on race in the tech sector, exploring different aspects of the issue and sharing insights I’ve gained from co-founding and running CODE2040. I’m excited to have this infographic out in the open for context, since much of what we do comes down to moving the needle on the stats and numbers outlined here.
Oh, and that 1 in 100 number? It's the portion of venture-backed companies with a Black founder. Not for long, if we can help it.
Want to make a dent in the gap you see here? Recommend a student to apply to the CODE2040 Fellows Program -- applications close February 9th!
Director of Marketing And Business Development at Shai.Health | Advocate for social impact, Revenue Cycle Management | Startup Mentor | Medical Coding and Billing
9 年I think another interpretation is, that when you find equally qualified candidates, with the only difference being that one represents the majority, homogenous culture, the best management decision is to hire the other one. They will likely bring not only the same skills, but diversity of thought, and fresh insights based on a different POV.
Director and Founder at SHIV SEWA
11 年Education and training is the key here. As you start spending more money on training, you will start seeing drastic changes in the area of technology.
Engineer. Project Manager. Karate Student and Teacher. Photographer. Book Reviewer. Woodworker. Getting Things Done(R).
11 年We must inspire young people to enter technology, but if they are stuck in under-perfoming schools, there will be little progress. Through my parents' sweat I attended high-expectation (but not high-cost) private Catholic schools through high school and even then had to work incredibly hard to get where I am. I cannot imagine the insurmountable obstacles faced by a child in a failing school, without parental support and without role models.
Think | Learn | Do | Improve
11 年This is amazing (and i say this from another part of the world, so no direct experience of the culture). I have heard founders of 500 Startups (https://500.co/) talk about the importance of investing in under developed countries, but this makes me wonder how many good ideas are being lost in the US economy...