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Women of Color in Tech Day 2021

Virtual Celebration of Women of Color in Tech Day 2021

Friday, March 12, 2021 | 11 AM EST

4%.

Just 4% of technology professionals are women of color, yet women of color comprise 20% of the U.S. population. In tech, they are underrepresented, overlooked, and not in the room. We are on a mission for change. Inspired by NPower’s 40 by 22 initiative to bring more women into our tech training programs and Instructors’ Institute, we celebrated the second annual Women of Color in Tech Day on March 12th.

This national, virtual celebration featured two important conversations where we broke down the magic that happens when policy meets practice. The first panel: Policymakers on the Current State and What Comes Next brought together influential elected officials who are making change through legislation and advocacy. They shared actions they have taken, strategies for government leaders at every level, and how we need to redefine access to careers in technology.

The second panel: Driving Change in the Corporate World was an introspective look at the private sector’s efforts to diversify the tech industry and support women of color. 2020 was the catalyst for many companies to begin critically looking at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and commitments. But, how is that really going? Should we be celebrating? What has worked and what has failed? And, how do we shake up corporate cultures and long-standing hiring practices to welcome non-traditional talent?

When policy in government meets practice in industry, we have the recipe for substantial and sustainable change. 

Play Video

RESOLUTIONS, PROCLAMATIONS & CITATIONS

AGENDA

11:00AM

WELCOME, REMARKS & RESOLUTIONS
Bertina Ceccarelli_headshot2019_300x300
Bertina Ceccarelli
Chief Executive Officer
Yvette_Clarke
Yvette Clarke

US Congresswoman

Latrice-Walker
Latrice Walker

NYS Assemblywoman

Kevin-Parker
Kevin Parker

NYS Senator

11:30AM

PANEL

Policymakers on the Current State and What Comes Next

Additional panel members to be announced.

Onida_square

Onida Coward Mayers

Moderator

Latrice-Walker
Latrice Walker

NYS Assemblywoman

Clyde Vanel
Clyde Vanel

NYS Assemblyman

Carlina Rivera_Square
Carlina Rivera

NYC Councilwoman

12:00PM

PANEL

Driving Change in the Corporate World

Viola-Maxwell-Thompson-crop

Viola Maxwell-Thompson

Moderator

Susanne-Tedrick

Susanne Tedrick

Maribel 6 square

Maribel Garcia

NPower Alum

Peta-Gay-Clarke

Peta-Gay Clarke

Recommended News

Advancing Workplace Equity – Amplify | Cutter Magazine Feature

Viola Maxwell-Thompson, Command Shift Steering Committee Member and guest editor of this issue of Amplify provides global perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); cutting-edge research that shows the reality of equity in many companies; and best practices that companies have deployed to create a more equitable on-ramp as well as advancement opportunities for all employees, with a focus on women of color.