It's a pretty safe bet that your tech company's workforce lacks diversity. Your executive team probably knows it, your HR team definitely knows it. But it's unlikely that this shortcoming is noted in the About Us section of your website.
Many companies are afraid to share their diversity numbers, but they're probably not fooling anybody, said Preston James, co-founder and CEO of local accelerator DivInc.
“We already know they’re low," he said. "...There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s acknowledging we can do something about it."
By sharing that figure, James said there's real accountability -- internally and externally.
“Yes, it’s going to make you uncomfortable… but, hey, at the end of the day in order to really make change we have to get to a space of being uncomfortable as leaders," he said. "It is a challenge. It is super hard. But we can’t back away from this.”
"If we’re brutally honest, and the data supports this, the tech industry lags behind other industries in representation."
James was one of three panelists on an Austin Technology Council discussion about how the tech community can respond in the wake of 12-plus days of continued protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
While the tech leaders talked about the pain that Black Americans are feeling right now, they focused the discussion mostly on how Austin tech businesses can help create a more inclusive future.
Lauren Washington, co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, said tech companies have to first understand why diversity and inclusion is important.
"If you don't understand why you're bringing diversity in -- if it's only so you can move your numbers forward so you can put the report out so you don't get backlash, that's not a good enough 'why,' she said. "You have to understand how this is really benefiting your business."
Diverse teams and boards increase return on investment and add to a company's potential for innovation, creativity and new business models, she said.
"It's not just having somebody with a different skin color or a different gender sitting at your table," she said. "It's really about the diversity of thought and experience."
Washington said she's been overwhelmed by the amount of support she and Black Women Talk Tech have seen in recent days.
“I’ve not seen that kind of support in my lifetime," she said. “I think now that you’re seeing this shift, you can see what an open culture looks like and what inclusivity looks like.”
Phil Walker, managing partner at Career Partners International, said the inequities in our society go well beyond police brutality, extending to the criminal justice system, education, housing discrimination, the lack of quality health care in underserved communities and many other core aspects of society, including business.
“If we’re brutally honest, and the data supports this, the tech industry lags behind other industries in representation," he said.
While several of the world's largest tech firms have committed to reporting of workforce diversity, the companies have struggled to make major improvements in recent years. Meanwhile, a study by RateMyInvestor and DiversityVC found only 1 percent of founders who raised venture capital are black.
“Austin tech companies have an opportunity right now to do a self-examination and have an honest dialog about their diversity strategy," Walker said.
He advised tech companies to be intentional about diversity, with CEOs making it a integral part of their organization and accountability from executives, boards, talent acquisition firms and beyond.
“Having a diverse workforce, I think, without question is not just about recruiting -- it’s also about retaining diverse talent," he said.
