What are we missing about how and why there is wealth creation in an IT senior management position?
I have spent the last 20 years in nonprofit organizations, particularly ones focused on helping marginalized people achieve the American dream. A lot of my work has been around workforce development, education, and studying career pathways that allow poor people to access high-paying jobs where there’s growth [and] where there’s a career pipeline. Regardless of their background, IT — information technology — is the number one way. It’s a great way to do that [because] without a degree, you can access [wealth creation] with short-term certifications and credentials.
For people who don’t know, how and what does your organization provide its members?
Black executives in information technology…are fighting historical racism and bias and every single day you’re fighting. IT Senior Management Forum, our nickname is It’s My Family I-T-S-M-F… Everybody is 100% invested in your success. We have three academies that are not based on training on IT skills because our biggest challenge is the politics, the soft skills, the executive presence, and all the things that you don’t learn in college and business school about how to show up and be the only one.
Watch the complete interview here.
