Tag Archive for: race in tech

Status Go – “Race in Tech: Inside the Numbers” with Vinay Bhagat

Status Go - “Race in Tech: Inside the Numbers” with Vinay BhagatStatus Go – Episode 95

There is a wonderful analogy from Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist at NYU, used to describe the two sides to our brain, the logical and the emotional. Haidt compares our brain to an elephant and a rider. The rider represents the logical side of our brain and the elephant the emotional. To affect change, you have to appeal to both the elephant and the rider, both must want to go down the path. In this episode, we speak to the rider, the logical side. My guest is Vinay Bhagat, Founder, and CEO of TrustRadius, one of the most trusted review sites for business technology, serving both buyers and vendors. Trust Radius recently released the results of a comprehensive survey of race in tech. Their 2020 People of Color in Tech Report is a wealth of data…just what the rider needs! 

Vinay and I dig into some of the survey results that jumped out at me when I read the report: the disconnect between unconscious bias in hiring and promotion and the perception of the white respondents; the feeling that half the people of color have when it comes to reporting discrimination in the workplace; the effectiveness of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion initiatives; and, the encouraging news there is an improvement in some of the numbers. 

Listen in as we discuss these results and more! You can read the full report here: 2020 People of Color in Tech Report. 

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/

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Status Go – “Race in Tech | Adapting to Change & Transformation” with Dwayne Carter

Status Go - Race in TechStatus Go – Episode 88

Guest, Dwyane Carter’s, passion is transformation. Transformation of government Medicaid related agencies. His background in marketing, technical architecture, and consulting provides Dwayne with a skillset uniquely qualified to address the change needed to transform these agencies. 

The biggest hurdle he has to face is fear, fear of change, fear of job loss. The employees he guides are also members of some of the communities hardest hit by the pandemic and the racial tensions of 2020. This makes working through this fear even harder. Dwayne builds trust to help him navigate the challenges. 

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/

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Status Go – “Race in Tech | Culture Change with Dr. Natoshia Anderson

Status Go: Race in Tech | Culture ChangeStatus Go – Episode 84

In this episode of Status Go, we continue our series Race in Tech. In this series, our focus is on amplifying the voices of our black colleagues, learning how to create inclusive environments, and taking action against systemic racism in tech. My guest on this episode is Dr. Natoshia Anderson, a self-described recovering mechanical engineer who now focuses her time on education in STEM. She is the host of STEMming in Stilletos (GREAT name for a podcast!). 

We discuss a lot of topics, but we focus on the intersection of being black, being female, and being a mother. Dr. Anderson shares deeply about the heaviness in her heart and soul in light of, yet another incident of violence against a black man by police. She talks candidly about sending her son out into the world with fear…every day. 

Give it a listen and while you are at it, check out STEMming in Stilletos! 

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/

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Status Go – “Race in Tech – Taking Action” with Terry Morris

#AmplifyYourLeadership Status Go – Episode 77

From the outset, this conversation was personal, deeply personal. Terry Morris, director of global services and digital solutions for Eli Lilly and Company and serves as the national president for BDPA (Black Data Professionals Associates) takes us on the journey of being a black leader in tech. 

After explaining his comment of “as a black leader, I have been conditioned not be a black leader”, he describes his personal approach to assessing situations and how much of the real Terry Morris he will let people see. We also dive into the recent attack he suffered will riding his bike. 

Always positive, Terry provides insight into the BDPA and how all of us (including old white dudes, like me) can get involved, either through a local chapter or by attending the upcoming virtual summit (www.BDPA2020.com). He leaves us with a call to action: a call to lean in! 

Status Go is the weekly podcast from InterVision. We provide actionable insights from technology leaders to technology leaders who want to break out of the status quo and lead their businesses into the new future. Listen to more of our episodes here: https://www.intervision.com/statusgo-podcasts/

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I have no words – Sounds of Silence

#AmplifyYourVoiceI have no words. Perhaps a funny thing to say, coming from a writer. I have no words…I don’t know what to say. Even now I struggle to find the words.

Our nation, in the midst of perhaps the biggest crisis in the last 100 years, certainly in the last 50, has exploded. When news of George Floyd’s murder came across my television, just weeks after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, I did what I always do. I showed my support, first by liking others’ posts on Facebook, then by sharing a post. I’ve done it for years…

The murderous attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris? Changed my profile picture to “Je suis Charlie” in support. 

The confrontation at Standing Rock that escalated into violence? Joined others who checked-in at Standing Rock to show support. 

I could list dozens of others. Doing my part to show support. But cautiously. Wouldn’t want to draw furor. Wouldn’t want to upset my “friends”. Afterall I have a business to run and many of those “friends” are my readers. 

Doing my part. Cautiously. Rarely, if ever, on LinkedIn. That’s for business. Can’t get personal, can’t get political, can’t take a stand. Would not want to alienate anyone, they might buy my books, they might hire me for a keynote, they might…

This time was no different. Until it wasn’t. 

I shared a “Black Lives Matter” gif on Facebook. A bit later a “friend” commented “All Lives Matter”. I did not know what to say in response. I use quotes around “friend” because I haven’t seen this person in 50 years and just recently reconnected on Facebook. I really didn’t know him. I was at a loss for words. On one level, yes, all lives matter. But that was not the point. The point is right now an entire race of people are hurting. Saying “all lives matter” diminishes their pain. I was frozen. 

And then, my son spoke up and commented on the post. A discussion of sorts started, then someone else chimed in. His tone was decidedly sharper. This back and forth went on for a couple of days…and I remained silent. 

Over the last week I have watched my son find his voice…on Facebook, and yes, on LinkedIn. I have seen countless others raise their voices. What I have seen, what I have heard, tells me there ARE words. I was just stuck waiting for the RIGHT words. 

As leaders, we have to lead…even when we don’t know the RIGHT words. 

To those of you who were like me…waiting. STOP. Add your voice to the conversation! 

To my friends of Color. I am sorry. I have no concept of what it is like to walk in your shoes. I know you are hurting. I know you are afraid. I know you are angry. I want to learn. I am committed to learning, so that I might lend my voice and my support to make this a world that recognizes all people have been created equal! 

I will speak by listening! I WILL find my voice. I WILL listen. 

 

Other resources to read:

Masking language and “keeping it professional”

Leadership Reflections on George Floyd and the Minneapolis Riots

I am one person. What can I do? 

TIME for Kids Age-Appropriate Resources

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” We don’t, but we can.

Women & Hi Tech’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in light of the Recent Events in Our City and Nation

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