Jesse Shreve’s Post

📢 Attention Recruiters: Ready to Attract Black Tech Talent? Did you know that only 9% of computer and information science degrees in 2022/2023 were awarded to Black/African American students? With the AFROTECH Conference coming up next week, it's vital to recognize that work-life balance are among the top three factors influencing employer appeal for this talent pool. Want to know the other two key factors? Comment below to learn more from our "Recruiting Black/African American Students in Tech" guidebook! #AFROTECH2024 #DiversityInTech #RecruitmentStrategies

By centering the voices of Black learners and workers in tech, we can better understand what factors, skills, and supports are needed for Black talent to experience successful tech careers. Our latest report provides actionable steps employers in the tech industry can take to dismantle systemic barriers and empower successful career pathways for Black talent. https://bit.ly/4eLaCxw #TechDiversity #BlackinTech #BlackTechTalent

Lack of diversity in technology has been attributed to limited access to educational opportunities, lack of digital skills, biased application and hiring processes, and more. Our latest report centers on the experiences of Black learners and workers to impact the recruitment and retention of Black talent in tech. Read the report today: https://bit.ly/4eLaCxw #TechDiversity #BlackinTech #BlackTechTalent

Systemic barriers continue to limit access to tech careers for Black talent. Digital Promise’s latest report centers on the voices and experiences of Black learners and workers in the tech industry. Explore the actionable steps employers in the tech industry can take to dismantle systemic barriers and empower successful career pathways for Black talent. https://bit.ly/4eLaCxw #TechDiversity #BlackinTech

Did you know that? 1. Black Professionals hold only 3 - 7% of tech jobs in US & Canada. 2. Women hold only 25% of tech jobs and C-suite positions globally. 3. Newcomers to US & Canada typically move 1 - 3 positions down in their careers. These worrying statistics motivated us to start SkillHat. Our goal was to ensure more women and black professionals landed high-paying roles in tech, doubled their income and got more fulfilment from their jobs. It's been 3 years and so far, our alumni have now reached over $20 Million in annual income, with over 200 of them landing 6 figure jobs ($100K + salary)!🥳🎉 Isn't that amazing? Our unique 4-gap learning method enables anyone from any background to learn tech skills and change their lives within six months or less. In 3 years, we’ve: 🚀Successfully increased our alums income by $45,000. 🚀Utilized Canadian Government grants to train over 300 professionals in Web Development and Product Design (UI/UX). 🚀Lead a highly engaged community of over 36,400 people across all our channels. 🚀We’ve expanded our presence with offices and teams from Canada to the US and Nigeria. 🚀We’ve won prestigious awards, including the Black Product Innovator of the Year. It’s been a fulfilling journey and we’re excited to have you on this journey of impact with us. To commemorate our achievements, we are offering a special anniversary giveaway for anyone in North America looking to transition into tech and achieve their career goal. All you need to do is Book a call 👉🏽skillhat.ca/3years Deadline: July 31st Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of making an impact together!🥳

Today our team attended the DEI talks at the #BlackTechFest organised by Colorintech and here are some key Takeaways: 🌟For Organisations: End the Narrative of Limited Black Tech Talent and Focus on Creating Opportunities, Not Just Managing Risks A key theme from the DEI talks was the call for organisations to abandon the notion that there are not enough qualified Black candidates for tech roles. This narrative often serves as an excuse for inaction and reinforces biases in the hiring process. Instead, companies should focus on actively creating opportunities by expanding recruitment pipelines, investing in talent development programs, and forming partnerships with Black tech communities. Rather than fixating on perceived risks tied to diversity initiatives, the focus should be on long-term innovation and growth through inclusion. 🌟For Black Tech Professionals: Stay in Tech, but Don’t Be the Only One—Upskill as Needed To the candidates, the advice was to stay committed to tech but to avoid remaining in environments where they are the only Black professional. These isolating spaces can stunt professional growth and well-being. It’s important to seek out inclusive spaces where diversity is valued. Additionally, speakers emphasised the importance of continuous upskilling. As the tech landscape evolves, maintaining and enhancing your skill set is essential for career advancement and navigating an industry in constant flux. Thanks to all the panelists for their stellar insights 🌟 🌟🌟🌟If you’re an organization ready to foster true diversity or a candidate seeking guidance in advancing your tech career, #Soteria, a leading DEIB strategy consulting firm, can provide the support and partnership needed to create sustainable value, inclusion, belonging, and equity. Reach out to Soteria today to begin transforming your DEI initiatives. #BlackHistoryMonth #ReclaimingNarratives #EnablingDiversity #EmbracingEquity #FosteringInclusion #EnsuringBelonging #DEIB  #Soteria

ADaPT For Black Youth Employer Info Session This program is designed to support Black youth in Ontario, aged 15 to 29, with a focus on two key outcomes: 📅Sept 12 🕛12 pm - 1 pm 📍Online 📝Register: https://lnkd.in/eFCsCCYy ☑️ Helping Black youth and young adults pursue and succeed in high-quality employment opportunities. ☑️Supporting Black youth in retaining employment and advancing in their careers. Participants in the program receive comprehensive digital, professional, and foundational training, mentorship, and wraparound support, equipping them to make meaningful contributions across industries. A key feature of the program is its ability to connect trained Black talent with businesses. An upcoming info session will provide details on how organizations can access up to $7,000 in subsidies, participate in custom hiring events and fairs, and take advantage of equity, diversity, and inclusion supports designed to help attract and retain diverse talent. ADaPT (Advanced Digital and Professional Training) #workforcedevelopment

Breaking Down Barriers: The Challenges Faced by Black Professionals in North America's Tech Industry Despite strides in diversity and inclusion, Black professionals in North America's tech industry continue to face significant barriers to entry. These obstacles not only hinder individual careers but also impact the industry's overall growth and innovation potential. Representation and Inclusion: Black professionals remain underrepresented in the tech sector. According to a report by McKinsey, only 3% of employees in the top 75 tech companies identify as Black (McKinsey & Company). This lack of representation perpetuates a cycle where aspiring Black tech professionals lack role models and mentors within the industry. Educational and Skill Gaps: Access to quality education and resources is a significant barrier. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics highlights that Black students are less likely to have access to advanced placement courses in STEM fields(NCES). This disparity results in fewer Black graduates with the technical skills required for entry-level tech positions. Bias and Discrimination: Implicit bias and discrimination in hiring and workplace practices further exacerbate the issue. The Kapor Center's Tech Leavers Study found that Black employees are 3.5 times more likely than their White counterparts to leave the tech industry due to unfair treatment(Kapor Center). This environment not only deters new entrants but also leads to higher attrition rates among existing Black tech professionals. Networking and Opportunities: Networking plays a crucial role in career advancement, yet Black professionals often find themselves excluded from these informal networks. Research by the Harvard Business Review indicates that Black employees receive less sponsorship and mentorship compared to their peers, limiting their career progression opportunities -Harvard Business Review. Economic Barriers: Economic factors also play a significant role. Many Black families face economic challenges that limit access to expensive training programs and technology necessary to develop relevant skills. According to the Brookings Institution, the median wealth of Black families is significantly lower than that of White families, which impacts the ability to invest in tech education and career advancement -Brookings. Moving Forward: Addressing these barriers requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders in the tech industry. Companies must implement inclusive hiring practices, provide mentorship and sponsorship programs, and invest in educational initiatives that target underrepresented communities. By doing so, the tech industry can tap into a broader talent pool and drive innovation through diverse perspectives. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how we can collectively work towards a more inclusive tech industry. #DiversityInTech #Inclusion #BlackTechProfessionals #TechIndustry #EqualOpportunity

Breaking Barriers in Tech: A Call for Greater Inclusion In the Canadian tech landscape, the journey for Black professionals is not without its challenges. Many feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle, facing barriers that can slow career progression, while job satisfaction remains elusive for some. The reality? Just 23% of Black professionals in tech feel truly satisfied with their roles. From microaggressions to a lack of representation in leadership, the road can feel lonely. But here’s the thing: Change is happening. More companies are talking about creating diverse and inclusive workspaces, yet there’s still work to be done. Programs like mentorships and sponsorships are gaining traction to help break these barriers, offering a space for Black tech professionals to thrive. And for those new to the industry, resources like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are there to provide support. Feeling seen and valued in your work shouldn’t be the exception; it should be the standard. If you're a Black professional or someone settling into the tech industry, it’s crucial to seek out spaces where your contributions are acknowledged and where you can grow. Are you navigating the tech industry as a Black professional or new entrant? Let’s talk about how we can support each other. Whether it’s finding the right mentorship or identifying inclusive workplaces, drop a comment or send a DM. The future of tech is inclusive, and we’re in this together. Ready to thrive in tech? Reach out to us CareerHaven Consulting Inc and let’s explore how we can empower your journey in this industry. Follow us on our socials: Instagram: https://buff.ly/3STJRgU Facebook: https://buff.ly/4fQq5fV

We are looking forward to our next BTLS Consortium members ‘Be The Change’ event on Thursday 6th June 2024, in Cambridge. The theme of the event will be “Progression - Breaking through the glass ceiling” 👇 The UK government aims to make the country a leading hub for innovation by 2035. To achieve this goal, it's essential to address the skills gap and promote a culture that fosters highly functioning diverse teams. However, there is still underrepresentation in the tech sector, and the ethnicity gap widens as we move up the corporate ladder. 👉 Research by the ‘McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility' in 2023 found that 83% of Black tech employees surveyed believe that advancement opportunities are the most crucial components for advancing Black talent in tech. With this in mind, we will explore some of the barriers that impede the progression of Black professionals within the sector.  We will discuss the targeted, focused action needed to create a fairer, more inclusive workplaces, where Black professionals are motivated to stay and grow their careers as they progress up the corporate ladder. This event will also provide the opportunity to learn from peers within the industry, with invited guests including leaders within STEM from our Consortium member organisations and beyond. 🎤 We look forward to hearing from Amy Therrien - Director Amazon Web Services (AWS) Storage Services, Scarlett Lily Allen-Horton - Founding Director, Harper Fox Partners and BBC Apprentice Finalist, Christina Schwabenland - academic, writer, researcher, University of Bedfordshire, and more speakers to be announced soon! 💡With topics including ‘Creating Inclusive Boards’ with findings from the Parker Report, ‘Progression Journeys’, the ‘Ethnicity Pay Gap’ and a fascinating interactive session ‘Engaging the imagination in work on ED&I Using Lego Serious Play’. ➡️ We will close by summarising our learnings and making a commitment to change with defined next steps. Event details: 📆 6 June 10:30 -17.00 📍Amazon, Cambridge ℹ️ This event is by invitation only, but if you would like to be involved, please contact [email protected] -- Black Talent and Leadership in STEM is a cross-industry initiative with Cambridge Wireless Ltd, Homerton College #Changemakers, University of Cambridge, The 10,000 Interns Foundation and Synergy Organisational Solutions. #BlackTalent #DEI #DiversityInSTEM #BTLS #HR