Blacks In Technology is the largest tech-focused community and media organization dedicated to increasing Black representation and participation in the technology industry. It has over 13,000 members across 41 chapters in 7 countries. Through events, resources, guidance and networking opportunities, it aims to establish a blueprint of technical excellence and innovation while providing career support to its members.
2. Stomping The Divide
Founded in 2008 and established in
2012, Blacks In Technology LLC is the
largest tech focused community and
media organization that is dedicated
to increasing the representation and
participation of Black people in the
technology industry.
3. CAREER SUPPORT • NETWORKING • TECH RESOURCES
Through community-focused activities, events and outreach, The Blacks In Technology (BIT)
Foundation is “Stomping the Divide” by establishing a blueprint of world-class technical excellence
and innovation by providing resources, guidance, networking, and opportunities for members to share
their expertise and advance their careers.
5. 41 Chapters in 7 Countries
United States Chapters
• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX
• Buffalo-Rochester, NY
• Charlotte, NC
• Chicago, IL
• Cincinnati, OH
• Cleveland, OH
• Columbia, SC
• Columbus, OH
• Dallas - North, TX
• Denver, CO
• Detroit, MI
• Houston, TX
• Indianapolis, IN
• Jacksonville, FL
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Louisville, KY
• Memphis, TN
• Minneapolis, MN
Twin Cities
• New York City Metro
• Norfolk, VA
Hampton Roads
• Philadelphia, PA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Portland, OR
• Raleigh-Durham, NC
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
Bay Area
• Seattle, WA
• St. Louis, MO
• Tampa - Central FL
• Washington, DC - DMV
Global Chapters
• Ibadan, Nigeria
• Lagos, Nigeria
• Port Harcourt, Nigeria
• London, United Kingdom
• Hamburg Germany
• Nairobi, Kenya
• Toronto, Canada
• Auckland, New Zealand
6. The Faces of BIT
• Blacks in Technology serves
several tech related disciplines.
• Our 13,000+ member base
includes, but is not limited to:
Students & Transitional
Technologists
Technology Educators
IT Professionals
Tech Startup Founders &
VCs
Technology Business
Leaders
Non-Tech Workers
9. 2021 Goals &
Strategy
Career
Accelerate Career
Development &
Readiness
Partnership
Establish Strategic
Partnerships &
Programs
Culture
Promote & Advance
an Equitable and
Inclusive Culture
Community
Drive Community
Enablement &
Engagement
10. 10
The State of Black Talent in Tech
1/3 of African Americans
struggle with digital access,
adoption & literacy
Access
Tech exodus in result of a
toxic workplace, costs an
estimate of $16B a year
Culture
20% of computer graduates
are black, but only make up
6% of the tech industry
Talent
2.1% of startup founders
receive venture capital
funding, while 75% goes to
all-white founders
Venture Capital
If not addressed, 76% of
black people will be shut out
of 86% of US jobs in 2045.
Digital Equity
1/3
$16B
6%
2.1%
76%
11. 11
Awareness
Intention & Value: Hiring for Clout, or for Change?
Access
Active Engagement & Outreach
Relationship Building
Career Pipeline: Resources & Tools
Advancement
It is Not a “One Shoe Fits All”
Approach
AAAA Concept
Accountability
Improve & Measure Effectiveness of
Advancing Black Talent in Tech
13. 13
Converge aligns the Black community
with mentors from many disciplines and
companies for the single goal of
accelerating their professional
advancement.
Converge Mentor Program
Funding 1,000+ Nanodegree
scholarships to empower individuals to
learn in-demand tech skills in
Programming for Data Science with
Python, Product Management or Cloud
DevOps Engineering.
Udacity
BITCON is the annual conference for
Blacks In Technology featuring the tech
industry’s most respected brands and
most influential Black voices and subject
matter experts.
BITCON
https://convergementor.org/ https://www.udacity.com/scholarships/blacks-in-
technology
https://hopin.com/events/bitcon-2021
14. 14
Grab a glass and kick back with the BIT - Twin Cities chapter for BIT &
Friends: Tech Happy Hour!
Come meet and network with other like-minded professionals as you
learn about the fantastic initiatives BIT is doing for the Twin Cities!
BIT & Friends: Tech Happy Hour BIT x TECHQUERIA CAREER FAIR June Chapter Meeting
https://tinyurl.com/BIT-TC-THH https://foundation.blacksintechnology.net/career-fair-
registration/
https://tinyurl.com/bit-tc-cms
June 17
6 PM – 7 PM CDT
The Blacks In Technology and Techqueria career fair series makes it
easy for companies seeking diverse technical talent. Our goal is to help
you stand out from the crowd and to shin a spotlight on Black and Latinx
talent.
Whether you’re looking for your first job in tech, or you’re a seasoned
tech veteran exploring options, we’ll place you in direct contact with
organization who are making a deliberate effort to add diversity to their
teams.
June 18
1 PM – 3 PM CDT
Featuring STS Enterprise Corporation with special guests (and co-
founders) Alton Cryer and Jeremy Calhoun.
STS Enterprise Corporation is a leadership development organization,
dedicated to cultivating wiser, more disciplined and productive young
men and women.
Through authentic, transformative and excellence-driven programs, STS
Enterprise are encouraging students to exceed expectations, defy
stereotypes, and create an unyielding mindset.
June 21
6 PM – 7 PM CDT
Topic
Conversation Topic:The Seat at the Table: Having a Voice & Leading with InfluenceDescription: The Blacks In Technology Foundation is the largest community of Black professionals in the technology industry. Through community-focused activities, events, and outreach, The Blacks In Technology (BIT) Foundation is "Stomping the Divide" by establishing a blueprint of world-class technical excellence and innovation by providing resources, guidance, networking, and opportunities for members to share their expertise and advance their careers.The Blacks In Technology -Twin Cities chapter will address common issues black professionals experience when wanting "a seat at the table." We seek to enlighten and invite participants to create an inclusive culture that advocates and enables black professionals to have a voice and influence at the table.
We are the largest tech focused community and media organization that is dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of Black people in the technology industry.
We help black people start their careers in technology and advance their careers in technology. We can control the narrative of what it means to be a black professional in technology and how that is represented in the media.
We support this mission through community-focused activities, events, and outreach.
We establish a blueprint of technical excellence and innovation by provided career support, networking, opportunities, and resources.
CAREER SUPPORT
Job boards, mentorships, and strategic partnerships give members an upper hand in their job search and career advancement goals.
NETWORKING
Professional and social events connect our community. Virtual and physical events are core to the BIT mission.
TECH RESOURCES
Through our relationships, the BIT Foundation offers discounts on technical training, and events and conferences.
We are a growing a community of 13,000+ members
* Approx. 75% of our member base is comprised of existing IT professionals
** Non-Tech workers are defined as employees in the tech industry that work in non-technical roles, such as sales, legal, HR, marketing, customer service, and operations.
The Blacks In Technology Foundation enjoys sponsorship, collaboration, partnership, and donations from the largest names in tech.
Increase awareness of our mission. Advocate for black people wanting to start or advance their career in technology.
Drive Community Enablement & Engagement
Enable focused discussions
Accelerate Career Development & Readiness
Partner
Improve
Establish talent pipeline
Establish Strategic Partnerships & Programs
Develop partnership with
Promote & Advance an Equitable & Inclusive Culture
Increase awareness & engagement of the
Introduce new programs promoting
1 - https://www.governing.com/now/Its-2020-Why-Is-the-Digital-Divide-Still-with-Us.html
“roughly one-third of African American and Hispanic households struggle with digital access, adoption, and literacy”
- Governing
2 - https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/04/27/toxic-workplaces-technology-women-minorities-retention/100977038/
“toxic workplaces – where harassment, stereotyping and bullying occur – are driving away women and people of color. Not only does the exodus undercut tech companies' efforts to boost diversity, it's costing an estimated $16 billion a year”
- Kapor Center for Social Impact and Harris Poll
3 – National Science Foundation
“20 percent of computer science graduates are Black and Latinx, which does not at all square with the fact that they only make up 6 percent of the tech industry” National Science Foundation
4 - https://www.dbresearch.com/PROD/RPS_EN-PROD/PROD0000000000511664/America%27s_Racial_Gap_%26_Big_Tech%27s_Closing_Window.pdf?undefined&realload=~O0N09GRzoQ0xd2F61PbZzAgK1Nat/p1IsCarc6UuhrD6ALNyvEpOCbb8ddBmOjcJIsg9NcHfdpGoUtpYO0zHg==
“75% of all venture capital funding rounds go to startups with all-white founders. The study also found that only 2.1% of startup founders are Black and 2.6% are Latino. Yet diverse startup teams provide a better return on investment through IPOs and acquisitions than all-white teams”
- Kauffmann Fellows Research Center
5 - https://www.kauffmanfellows.org/journal_posts/the-pipeline-myth-ethnicity-fund-managers
“the digital equity gap, if not addressed, by 2045, 76% Black people will be shut out of 86% of U.S. jobs in 2045” – Deutchse Bank