Black History Month goes underway next week and Black leaders in San Diego are coming together to celebrate the history and excellence of their community.
On Tuesday, The National Black MBAA Association, the National Society of Black Engineers and the Black Tech Link are coming together to co-host a networking event on the first of the month to kick-off the historic month for the Black community.
The event, Year of the Tiger kick-off mixer, has been formed with the intention of encouraging members of the Black community to pursue a higher education and expand their career horizons, all within the career field of Technology.
According to a recent study, the Black community make up for almost 14% of almost all industries, as supposed to just 7% within the high tech industry, and even a more discouraging percentage at the higher executive level.
Jayton Harps is the President of the San Diego Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and he says that new pathways must be created for the Black community within the Tech world in order to prepare a more success generation for their community.
"We must pave and create new pathways for Black people within the industries of Tech and Engineering by preparing the next generation but also pushing for more equity at the top levels of the industry." said Harps.
Founder of Black Tech Link Elizabeth Cotton also says that their industry needs a "facelift" when it comes down to Black representation in the Tech world, and is encouraged by the unity being created to address the matter.
"The Tech Industry needs a facelift when it comes to equity and inclusion especially at the more corporate levels of the industry. Black professionals are coming together to solve our most critical challenges today while celebrating all we've overcome together." said Cotton.
The special event will be featuring a panel of top San Diego black professionals and tech executives labeled as "Pivoting during the Pandemic", where they will talk about finding a way to gain success during an on-going pandemic.
The event will be held at: 3167 Commercial St. San Diego, CA 92113.
Tuesday's mixer will be kicking off at 6 p.m. and wrapping up at 9 p.m.
