Building the Future, On Our Terms
Despite systemic barriers, Black founders, engineers, designers, and innovators are building remarkable companies and technologies. From billion-dollar startups to groundbreaking research, Black excellence in tech is reshaping industries and creating new possibilities.
This isn't just about individual success stories—though those matter. It's about a movement of Black innovation that's changing what tech looks like, who it serves, and who profits from it.
The State of Black Tech
The Challenges
Let's be honest about the landscape:
Funding Gap: Black founders receive less than 2% of venture capital funding, despite creating viable, profitable businesses
Representation: Black employees make up small percentages at major tech companies, even smaller percentages in technical and leadership roles
Network Effects: Tech success often depends on networks that have historically excluded Black professionals
Bias: From hiring algorithms to product design, bias is baked into many tech systems
The Progress
Despite these challenges:
Black Founder Wins: Companies like Walker & Company, Partpic, Blavity, and many more have achieved significant success and exits
Growing Pipeline: More Black students are pursuing STEM education than ever before
Community Building: Networks like /dev/color, Black Tech Pipeline, and others are creating support systems
Increasing Investment: Some VCs are specifically focused on funding Black founders, though more capital is needed
HBCUs: The Unsung Tech Pipeline
Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been producing Black tech talent for generations, often without the recognition they deserve.
HBCU Tech Impact
By the Numbers: HBCUs graduate a disproportionate share of Black STEM graduates despite being a small fraction of all colleges
Notable Programs: Schools like Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, North Carolina A&T, and others have strong computer science and engineering programs
Industry Partnerships: Major tech companies increasingly partner with HBCUs for recruiting and research
Innovation: HBCU students and faculty contribute to cutting-edge research across tech fields
The HBCU Advantage
What makes HBCU education valuable for tech careers:
Community and Support: A nurturing environment that helps students thrive
Cultural Competence: Understanding how to build products that serve diverse communities
Network: Connections to generations of Black professionals across industries
Holistic Development: Education that develops the whole person, not just technical skills
Representation: Seeing Black faculty and role models in STEM fields
Paths Into Tech
Traditional Routes
Computer Science Degrees: Four-year programs at HBCUs, state universities, or other institutions
Engineering Programs: Electrical, software, and other engineering disciplines
Graduate Studies: MS and PhD programs for advanced technical roles or research
Alternative Paths
Bootcamps: Intensive programs teaching practical skills in months rather than years
Self-Teaching: Online resources, tutorials, and projects to build skills independently
Apprenticeships: Programs that combine learning with paid work experience
Career Transition: Moving into tech from other fields, leveraging transferable skills
Tech-Adjacent Roles
Not all tech careers require coding:
Product Management: Guiding what gets built and why
UX Design: Shaping how products look and feel
Data Analysis: Deriving insights from information
Technical Program Management: Coordinating complex technical projects
Sales Engineering: Combining technical knowledge with business development
Technical Writing: Communicating complex information clearly
Success Stories
Trailblazing Founders
Black founders have built successful companies across tech:
Consumer Products: Building brands that serve underserved markets
Enterprise Software: Creating tools that businesses depend on
Fintech: Expanding access to financial services
Healthtech: Improving health outcomes through technology
Edtech: Transforming how people learn
Corporate Leaders
Black executives are leading at major tech companies and pushing for change from within:
C-Suite Executives: CTOs, CIOs, CPOs at major corporations
Engineering Leaders: VPs and Directors running large technical organizations
Board Members: Shaping company strategy and governance
Researchers and Academics
Black researchers are advancing the frontiers of technology:
AI and Machine Learning: Including crucial work on bias and ethics
Cybersecurity: Protecting systems and data
Human-Computer Interaction: Shaping how we interact with technology
Computational Biology: Applying tech to health challenges
Building Your Tech Career
Getting Started
Assess Your Interests: What aspects of tech excite you? Building? Designing? Analyzing? Leading?
Build Skills: Choose a learning path that fits your situation and goals
Create Projects: Nothing proves capability like showing what you've built
Network Intentionally: Connect with Black tech communities and professionals
Growing Your Career
Seek Mentorship: Find people ahead of you on the path who can guide and advocate
Build Your Brand: Share your work, your thoughts, your journey publicly
Negotiate Fairly: Know your worth and advocate for appropriate compensation
Support Others: As you succeed, reach back to help those coming behind
Starting a Company
Validate Your Idea: Make sure there's a real problem and market before building
Find Your Community: Connect with other Black founders for support and advice
Explore Funding Options: Beyond traditional VC, consider grants, competitions, and alternative funding
Build for Your Strengths: Consider problems you're uniquely positioned to solve
The Community Building Success
No one succeeds alone. The Black tech ecosystem includes:
Professional Networks: Organizations connecting Black tech professionals
Founder Communities: Groups supporting Black entrepreneurs
Student Organizations: Preparing the next generation
Investment Groups: Channeling capital to Black founders
Media and Content: Telling the stories of Black innovation
Getting involved in these communities—as participant, contributor, or leader—strengthens the whole ecosystem.
Looking Forward
The future of Black tech is being built now:
More Founders: The pipeline of Black entrepreneurs is growing
Bigger Exits: Black-founded companies are achieving larger outcomes
Deeper Investment: More capital is flowing to Black founders, though still not enough
Greater Influence: Black voices are shaping conversations about tech ethics, diversity, and design
Own Platforms: Black-owned tech platforms serving Black communities are emerging
The tech industry needs Black innovation—not as charity, but because diverse perspectives create better products, better companies, and better outcomes for everyone.
Your contribution to Black tech could be building a company, writing code, designing products, investing in founders, mentoring students, or countless other roles. The ecosystem needs all of it.
The future is being built. Let's build it together.
What's your tech journey? Share your story and inspire others in the community.
