THE POWER OF COMMUNITY: How We Are Building a Thriving Black Tech Ecosystem.

Highlighting the importance of community-building in empowering Black Tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and creative to succeed and innovate.

In Black Tech We Trust is an organization focused on strategically putting black technologies in the limelight, empowering many young black tech aspirants and fostering a thriving black technological community.

Over the years, there has been an underrepresentation of Black technological innovators worldwide. Their works are either downplayed, not-displayed or even taken credit for. Racial disparities are the same everywhere and in various professions. Black workers in tech showed little improvement between 2014 and 2022. However, Black tech professionals hold only 4% of leadership roles according to statistics shown in Diversities in Tech: Obstacles and Prospects.

 

A thriving Black tech ecosystem is an environment and atmosphere where every black invention is recognized, encouraged, supported, put in order and fueled until it becomes successful and popularly distributed all over the world.

It is an ecosystem where people of color work hard to become technically fit to create solutions to their problems. These people of color would strategically work hard to gain technological knowledge for themselves, gaining technological freedom and liberty.

Rather than technologically depending on the non-blacks in order to gain and acquire various instruments, tools, gadgets and devices which has now become a thing of the 21st century, achieving a thriving black ecosystem will see to it that new technologies are created by blacks, for blacks, and the entire world at large.

• Third world countries in the African continent still struggle to process their raw materials into finished products, this has made them heavily dependent on external countries for many technological services, including; refining of crude oil, production of appliances and devices.

Occasionally, these third world countries in Africa seek various technical aid and services from countries, like; India, U.S, UK, Germany etc. This service includes; medical services, construction services etc.

A thriving black tech ecosystem would mean erasing the dependency and giving room for innovations and technologies that will change the world.

What Are The Benefits of a Thriving Black Tech Community?

It is essential to build a community that creates recognitions for oneself. 

From economically empowering each other to innovation despite diversity, whereby each innovations would lead to increasing income for households, and bridging the rich and poor gap,

Beneficially, role models and retaining of talents can be achieved from a community like In Black Tech We Trust. Pairing students and young tech professionals with industry leaders and change-makers in Black tech industry will further promote talent discoveries and an eager attitude towards STEM.

Job creation and increased representation in the Tech world has been a growing need for people of color. The benefits from a community like this will be to make your skills recognized and easily approached for a tech job offer.

• Furthermore, education and mentorship is also a key benefit of the community. Mentorship from role models and professional mentors which creates further room for networking. Additionally, the environment makes you more aware of your culture, heritages, and how to stay relevant while consistently displaying your Black culture.

Together in the community, social issues can be addressed, shared and tackled down. In this case, issues surrounding the Discrimination or Segregation in Technology becomes addressable.

 Collective joining of hands to influence policies and conceived behavior against the black race.

Subsequently, many other black communities would be able to compete robustly in the global and tech industry, leading to a balance and creating equity for every nation. On the long run, this will reduce erosion of culture or flushing away of technologies and innovations made by the black race. This would eventually pave the way for more groundbreaking Black Tech Pioneers.

How Do We Plan on Achieving This?

1. Creating an Equitable Platform for all Black Innovations.

This is built in our core values and vision. We are nurturing a platform where every black innovation is encouraged and recognized.

 In the past, many inventions by black men were brushed aside and not properly praised or accepted by the then dominating white technologies. These inventions includes: cellular phone, rotary machine, typewriter, train alarm, printing press etc. Read about the 25 Innovations From Black Technology all of which makes up the growing elements of the technology in the world today.

 By fostering a technological ecosystem, black communities can participate more robustly in the global economy, positioning themselves as tech innovators.

2. Mentorship.

Having visible success stories in tech can inspire younger generations. Tech leaders like Kimberly Bryant and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji are examples of motivations to students to pursue STEM. 

Mentoring and supporting Black tech professionals and preventing brain drain where talent moves elsewhere, keeping skills and knowledge local. 

In Black Tech We Trust Community creates mentorship programs, workshops and boot-camps, providing pathways for education and skill development. 

A supportive ecosystem that fosters Black-owned tech startup and gradually drives economic growth and bridge the digital divide. Thus, these mentorship gradually contributes to the economy by creating jobs and generating revenue, subsequently advocating for better access to technology and internet services in under-developed areas, including reducing the digital divide.

3. Encouraging Eco-friendly Inventions.

Over the time, Black innovations has been consistently eco-friendly and culturally relevant. For example; Lawn mower, cotton planter, defroster, air conditioning unit and many others you can find in the 25 Innovations From Black Technology. These groundbreaking innovations had eventually solved the current problems and helped to live sustainably. 

In Black Tech We Trust aim to work with policymakers to promote diversity and equity in the tech sector, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs), which includes advocacy efforts that would focus on creating policies that dismantle systemic discriminatory barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs, gradually aising awareness about biases in hiring practices and work towards creating a culture of inclusion within tech companies.

4. Collaboration and Networking. 

By encouraging local governments and businesses to invest in the organization, as well as, developing partnerships with experienced entrepreneurs and Black tech founders. In Black Tech We Trust aims to broaden the community’s platform.

Moreso, the community idea automatically makes it possible for techies to meet each other, share ideas and partner up on various works while being supported by the organization and other members of the community.

5. Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

IBTWT is a unique marketplace for Black tech professionals and entrepreneurs, offering content, networking, and exclusive products. With a solid tech community, there’s potential to attract more venture capital focused on Black-led tech ventures reducing funding gaps. This can create jobs, directly or indirectly within the community.

Gradually, black excellence would be advocated for, in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Sharing inspirational, empowering and educational progresses made by any thriving black techy around the world.

Building a thriving black tech community is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative for innovation, economic growth, and social progress. Moreover, addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusivity in the tech industry can unlock many potentials and many black talents. 

By implementing these strategies collectively, a strong foundation for a thriving Black tech community can be established, leading to increased representation, economic empowerment, and innovation within the sector.

From automatic traffic signals, train alarm to modern microphones, cellular phones. From gaming consoles to medical devices, many black invention surrounds us. However, these were not recognized as much as it should have been. With a community, proper credits and accolades would have been given.

 It is important to understand the power of community and how building a thriving black tech ecosystem will help to eliminate these imbalances, weld the diversities and grow promising inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

In summary, the power of community is an essential tool that cannot be neglected when it comes to devising a means to 

combat diversity of any kind. People feel more seen, heard and motivated whenever they find themselves in an environment of people who feel the same way they feel, and look the same way they look. There is an instant sense of belonging and an eagerness to associate, creating rooms for networking. 

This means that a community of black people hastens the steps towards achieving whatever goal they set their mind to do. 

Finally, a community of black tech innovators, tech-aspirants and gurus becomes a success in just a little period of time. These groups of people already have a lot of things in common and so, they automatically become prepared and put out strategies for various technical projects, innovations and inventions that aids to break racial discrimination in tech and eventually changes the world.

Join the In Black Tech We Trust community to embrace the power of collective innovation, contribute to a more inclusive tech landscape, and be a part of a movement that is changing the world, one line of code at a time.