'High Tech, Low Inclusion': Why We Must Do Better

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last month published a report looking at diversity in the technology industry—and it's an eye-opener. 

Here are just a few highlights from the deep dive that I took into the report aptly titled "High Tech, Low Inclusion: Diversity in the High Tech Workforce and Sector from 2014-2022."

The clear takeaway: We can and must do better.

Just look at these staggering highlights:

• Women make up less than a quarter of the high-tech workforce. Their presence is even less in high-paying positions within the industry. 
• Black and Hispanic individuals are grossly underrepresented in the tech sector, with a minuscule 7.4% representation for Black workers.
• The age demographic in the high-tech industry is heavily skewed toward the younger population, with a visible decrease in employees over the age of 40.
• Black, Hispanic, and Asian workers are hardly visible in managerial roles, pointing to entrenched barriers hindering their career progression and leadership opportunities.

It's Not Just About Hiring

Despite advancements in technology, the industry is tragically lagging when it comes to retention and support of a diverse workforce.

The crux of the issue lies not just in hiring a diverse workforce but in actively supporting and promoting this talent into leadership positions.

It demands a purposeful shift—a task that many organizations grapple with. Organizations often put the burden to solve this on the individuals who need it most.

Look around at your organization's programming. Who is leading it? Are they asking you, the beneficiary of the programming, to lead, start, and maintain it as a volunteer in your non-existent free time?

That’s exactly why I founded Tech & Thrive and the transformative T.H.R.I.V.E. Operating System™. It equips organizations, teams, and individuals to bridge these gaps by fostering inclusive leadership and cultivating environments where diversity not only survives but thrives. 

Looking for Long-Term Support

If you are looking for inclusive, support resources for BIPOC in tech, here are a few worth checking out:

• Code Academy's dive into 6 Black professional organizations empowering BIPOC in tech.
• Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship
• Latinas in Tech
• Baddies in Tech
• Tech & Thrive

Plus, let me know what you think about the findings of this latest EEOC report—and add your organization to the mix if you have devoted resources and programming to empowering a more inclusive, diverse tech workforce.