Equitable access to the economy and the hard truth on tech diversity
By: Stack Education
Tags: Equity, Black Wall Street, Techdiversity, Diversity In Tech, Inclusion

By Dawdu M. Amantanah

As the work-from-home movement continues with no end in sight, millions of Americans are shifting how they earn a living or become unemployed in the mass economic die off. For many, this is new and has forced a shift in economic equity. I represent that percentage of Americans where economic upheavals are commonplace. As a millennial, person of color, birthed by immigrant parents, this lack of opportunity and a steady wage is a familiar theme that occurs across all job sectors regardless of politics, pandemics, or privilege for people that look like me.

I figured an education, work experience, and clean record would separate me from the stereotypes and allow me to achieve economic equity in technology finally. Earning the status quo of Stack Education alumnus in web development and landing a high paying software engineer job with work from home options was a dream come true. Yet, there are things I wish I had known and paid more attention to, such as tech diversity, company culture, and equitable access to the economy. Places like San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, and Portland are tech hubs but alongside a severe housing crisis these cities also have high economic inequality.

Many questions float through my mind upon seeing the lack of diversity numbers at the top tech companies during my search of the job market. “How do I fit into an industry that, traditionally, does not welcome people like me? What about the survivors’ remorse I feel after landing a high-paying tech gig that causes my friends and family to no longer identify with my lifestyle?” I understand African Americans/Latinos represent very low percentages at companies like Google and Facebook, which blame lack of diversity on a pipeline problem. I have to work twice as hard to break those barriers, and Stack Education equipped me with the tools to do so, but that is a small piece of a giant puzzle.

Inclusive company culture is incredibly beneficial to workplace morale and mainly for my peace of mind while applying to companies that offer business and job opportunities. I want prospective Stack Education students to understand that positive company culture transcends past color lines or job status. It is all about what that company stands for and how it treats its employees. When themes like Black Lives Matter are no longer trendy, and wage inequality keeps women from promotions, what is left? I think that company culture permeates every aspect of your employee and customer experience, so keep that in mind when looking for a new career.

No longer can we turn a blind eye on confronting the hard truth that this pandemic has deepened racial, economic gaps in the job market. As we look into the future, a tech-driven innovation economy can reverse this trend but not without including economic resilience among the most vulnerable communities in America. Becoming a first-time parent during these unprecedented times brings earning an equitable wage to the forefront and will make great storytelling on how I survived it all in the future. As I apply to one job after another, I keep my fingers crossed that I stumble upon a company that understands these truths and does their part to stamp them out. Ultimately it is more significant than my qualms. We must turn our attention to one of the most vital challenges of our generation: Equitable access to the economy.

My intent for this article is a pitch to an audience of community allies and hiring partners that companies like Stack Education, and many others are on the front lines of changing these hard truths. Remember that life is defined by your hurdles as long as you continue to jump over them. For technology to be unbiased, it must include all people from all backgrounds, not just a small percentage. Every time I earn a wage, apply for a job, engage in entrepreneurship, or seek educational opportunities, these hard truths walk with me. Hopefully, I can continue to do my part of bringing awareness to economic inequality and the lack of diversity in tech but also real change.

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