Economics

Congressional Black Caucus Takes Tech Initiative to Silicon Valley

Published

9 years ago

August 5, 2015

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), all members of the CBC Diversity Task Force visited Silicon Valley this week, Aug. 2-4, to meet with executives at the country’s foremost technology companies and organizations as part of the CBC TECH 2020 initiative.

Launched in May, CBC TECH 2020 is a five-year plan developed by the CBC to address the underrepresentation of African Americans within the technology industry.

“Our goal for this trip is to encourage and partner with these organizations to implement a diversity plan that will place more African Americans in the tech pipeline,” said Rep. Butterfield.

“This will potentially lead to a wide range of opportunities, from student internships to positions on the boards of tech companies,” he said. “Building a coalition of leaders from the public and private sectors ensures greater diversity and full representation of African Americans at every level of tech by 2020.”

“This visit is another step toward opening doors of opportunity for African Americans in the booming tech sector,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Increasing diversity and inclusion within the tech sector is not only a moral imperative, it is good for business and vital to continue economic growth.”

“The technology sector will increasingly be at the forefront of our country’s continued growth and prosperity,” said Rep. Jeffries. “In this regard, it is important to make sure that all Americans have an opportunity to participate in the innovation economy.”

As part of the TECH 2020 plan, the CBC has outlined diversity principles, best practices, and resources for African American students and entrepreneurs and introduced legislation focused on increasing STEAM education.

During the trip, members will a number of companies, including Apple, Bloomberg, Google, Intel, Kapor, Pandora and SAP.

Bloomberg hosted a press conference at its San Francisco office to discuss the CBC’s technology initiatives and the delegation’s work in Silicon Valley.

Judith Williams, Global Diversity and Inclusion Programs Manager represented Google. She said that Google has a robust K-12 investment in early education. Google hopes to rectify four factors that hold people back from reaching their potential.

“There is no encouragement in the work place. No one there looks like them. They don’t think they can succeed, and they don’t think they can change the world,” Williams said.

Congressman Butterfield said, “The current focus in Congress is for less education, and a push to shift the responsibility for education to the states. There is less money,” he said.

“We are fighting the same battles we fought before. We must make sure that the ‘unconscious biases’ don’t become institutionalized in organizations,” said Congresswoman Lee.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 25 – 31, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 25 – 31, 2024

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5 hours ago

December 26, 2024

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2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Outgoing Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others. Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9th Congressional District.

Published

3 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. Photo provided by California Black Media.

Kevin Lincoln, outgoing mayor of Stockton, CA, captured during his tenure as a leader dedicated to the city’s progress and community engagement.

By Edward Henderson
California Black Media

Born in Stockton, Mayor Kevin Lincoln says his Army upbringing inspired him to serve others.

Lincoln joined the United States Marine Corps in 2001 and was later assigned to Marine One, serving during President George W. Bush’s administration.

Following his military service, Lincoln worked for one of the nation’s top private security companies for eight years in Silicon Valley. In 2013, he resigned from his corporate position to give back to his community in Stockton through full-time ministry at a local church.

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others.

Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9^th Congressional District.

Recently, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Lincoln. He reflected on his accomplishments this year and his goals moving forward.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? 

What I prioritize for our city council is our youth. They are the future — not only our city, but this region as a whole.

We were able to invest over $6 million in youth programming and workforce development, and partner with 14 different community-based organizations. We were able to employ over 600 young people through the city of Stockton. We launched even our first ever summer jobs program for the city of Stockton.

How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

It’s about giving people a seat at the table, and not necessarily waiting for people to come to me, but me going to the community, making myself accessible, meeting our community at the point of their need, where they’re at.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

It’s politics. Because unfortunately, there’s politics in everything. And I say politics impedes progress. You can have a policy, a solution that may not necessarily be 100% perfect. But it’s a good solution for everybody. But because we allow politics to get in the way based off our personal ideologies, oftentimes we can miss opportunities to make an impact for the benefit of the whole.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

My biggest inspiration has been the community and our ability to work together. What’s unique about Stockton, one in 20 jobs are nonprofit jobs in the city of Stockton and even San Joaquin County.

What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

To stay focused. In politics, there’s a lot of opportunity for distractions. There are a lot of influences from the outside — good, bad and indifferent. It’s important to stay focused, have a clear vision, and be committed to that vision.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?

Economics. When the economy is not healthy, when we’re not thriving, we’re limited. Opportunities are limited.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

I just want to continue to be a servant leader and serve our community in whatever capacity I am in.