Black Representation in Tech: Why We Need More Afro-Scientists

Tech empowers and simplifies our daily lives, but why is it that so few of the faces of tech companies and products are Black? Let us explore the representation of Black individuals in the technology industry and investigate why the rate of innovation can never be maximal until we see more Black representation in Tech.
Innovation has always moved at a lightning pace, however, within the 21st century, it has become harder to monitor and access some of the amazing inventions that the lucky few have departed to us. Harder still is it to fully recognise the talented scientists and researchers who have given these gifts to us. Though you may find that once you peel away that layer of anonymity, many of the faces that have brought us these discoveries and much of our day-to-day utilities are Black.
Why do we need more Black representation in tech?
In an age where technology pervades every aspect of each of our very different lives, the idea of tech still accommodating only the majority of users is nonsensical. With such diversity in our world, it is necessary if not imperative to eliminate edge cases in our tech. Sharing innovation across the globe does benefit humanity as a whole, though not as much as it would if the right people were in the right spaces at the right time. Concrete used to build roads in Europe cannot withstand climates in African countries and instead creates dangerous vulnerabilities in important structures. Without Afro engineers and scientists, there are a number of instances such as this where efficient solutions cannot be reached without knowledgeable and informed developers.
“You need diversity of experience. You need diversity of ideas. And you need new inspirations.” (Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures and Steps to Anti-Racism, 2022). New, ground-breaking ideas can rarely be brought to the table without collaboration, and a diverse team is scientifically proven to result in the best output.
In addition to this, there are many brilliant Black scientists who have made monumental contributions to science; however, these notable individuals are not the ones that we are commonly taught about in schools. This lack of awareness can lead aspiring young Black innovators to believe that the world of science is not able or willing to accept them for one reason or another. This is an issue with the industry, not with the student and it is one of the front-line obstacles we face when encouraging our young Black engineers to join the world of Tech.
Why is the lack of diversity in the Tech Space not taken seriously?
Firstly, I think it is important to mention that there is an inherent lack of understanding of the issue within the industry. Even as I attempted to research statistics on the problem, I found that most UK sources addressed the lack of representation within the Tech space as a lack of ‘BAME diversity’. Whilst this notion is absolutely correct, the use of the term ‘BAME’ – ‘Black and Minority Ethnic’, or ‘Black, Asian, Mixed Ethnicity’ is reductive as it is often used to reference several minorities at once – more specifically; Black people, Asians and Hispanics or Latinos. This term fails to account for the unique, intersectional adversities that each of these demographics individually face when attempting to access the tech space, both before and after employment. Furthermore, this term is particularly destructive when used to address statistics within the Tech space and can skew the readability of statistics due to the over-representation of Asians within the industry.
The problem with the lack of Black professionals in tech is not due to a general under-qualification of applicants, but rather, the lack of opportunity, contacts, and role models within the industry and an unwillingness from those higher up in the food chain to allow and account for diversity.
What can we do to allow more Afro-Caribbean scientists to access this space?
There are many structural inequalities barring Afro-Caribbean scientists from Big Tech, however, the lack of diversity in recruitment boards and deficiency of role models for underrepresented groups serves as a deterrent for Black uptake in the tech space as there are fewer idols and mentors to follow. “In 2019, Black people made up only three percent of the UK tech workforce – and only 2.6 percent of UK technology company board members are from ethnic minority backgrounds.” (Ekeke, 2021). Diversity has become a necessity in interview panels so as to alleviate and minimise unconscious bias. Creating a diverse interview panel can allow for a wider variety of perspectives to be considered when approaching a promising candidate – however, many a time, Black professionals will need to already be within the panel or business in order to endorse future Black applicants, and so the cycle continues. How can more Black individuals access more senior roles and pave the way for future professionals?
In conclusion, I also believe that “When you lack communities, support, and representation, it becomes very challenging to see growth within an organization or an industry.” (Riggins, 2021). Paving the way for diversity within an intimidating industry can be a daunting ordeal, especially when there are few or no other role models to follow or mentor you. However, change in the High-Tech space begins with speaking up, applying to these higher positions through adversity and opposition, and being relentless in mind, body, spirit, and resilience.
Nkeiruka Whenu
Software Engineer, Speaker.
Bibliography
Ekeke, O., 2021. Tackling tech’s big diversity problem starts with education. [online] WIRED UK. Available at: <https://www.wired.co.uk/article/racial-equality-tech> [Accessed 22 May 2022].
FutureLearn. 2022. Using your influence for change – Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures and Steps to Anti-Racism. [online] Available at: <https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/union-black/2> [Accessed 23 May 2022].
Riggins, J., 2021. How the Tech Community Can Do Better for Black Women. [online] Thenewstack.io. Available at: <https://thenewstack.io/how-the-tech-community-can-do-better-for-black-women/> [Accessed 24 May 2022].
2022. 7 Groundbreaking Black Scientists from the past. [image] Available at: <https://i.cbc.ca/1.5923760.1614036676!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/meet-7-groundbreaking-black-scientists-from-the-past.jpg> [Accessed 24 May 2022].