How can companies & individuals show true support for diversity in tech?

(photo credit: @wocintechchat)

I struggled with crafting my thoughts this week. The fundamental theme: “black lives matter.” One of the many challenges: how to ensure that value is manifested across so many dimensions within our society, the companies we work for, the organizations we choose to participate in.  I’m feeling overwhelmed and saddened, furious yet proud. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of news & senseless death & protests & work to be done.  Saddened by the unjust nature of our society and furious at the willful ignorance of people I care about who continue to turn a blind eye. Proud of those who are standing up for what they believe in and who are persistently protesting to support black and brown lives.  I was inspired by President Obama’s town hall on Wednesday and remain hopeful that all of our collective action will shift the tides towards equality & justice. 

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#getinformed

As you look to join a tech company, it’s important (now and always) to figure out if they have embedded the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion into the ethos of the company’s values & operational structure. These are not just platitudes on a marketing campaign. 

Here are 6 questions to ask yourself (with resources to help your thinking & action): 

1. Does the company send an appropriate message externally during major crises related to racism? 

   • Which Tech Companies Support Black Employees and Diversity?

   • 12 Companies Who Are Taking A Stand for Black Lives Right Now

2. Do they have visible teams/initiatives focused on product inclusion efforts?

   • Google says 2,000 people across the company work on inclusion and diversity in products

3. Do they release employment stats on diversity hiring and retention? And have they made progress in improving those stats? 

   • Five Years of Tech Diversity Reports—and Little Progress

   • The future of diversity and inclusion in tech 

   • Black founders want tech companies to do more than donate

4. Are they supporting employee resource groups (ERGs) with funding for hiring/retention projects?

   • Understanding Employee Resource Groups: A guide for Organizations

5. Follow the money - where is the company investing? 

   • Knee On The Neck: What Investors Can Learn From 'Black Lives Matter' 

6. Check out the executive leadership and board of director pages. Do you see visible representation of diverse voices in the highest decision-making roles at the company?

   • 5 ways tech leaders can address racial inequity, from diversity expert and tech CEO Cheryl Ingram

   • How tech leaders can do more for racial justice than just tweet
     

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“I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept.”

— Dr. Angela Davis

To learn more, check out this great panel discussion with Angela Davis & Common.

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#takeaction

1. Join together with others to be united in initiating action

   • Black Tech for Black Lives 

2. Donate. Put your money towards supporting organizations that are doing good work to combat racism or support bail funds for those jailed after protests.

   • The Obama Foundation has put together key resources & organizations to review. 

   • You can also find a curated list of organizations by scrolling to the bottom of this doc: bit.ly/BlackLivesAction 

   • I donated to Color of Change and the Nationwide Bail Fund

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