Valuing Diversity In Design & Technology

Diversity in design and technology leads to more creative, innovative and profitable solutions; in our industry, community and in the world that surrounds us. But when we examine personnel data, it’s apparent there’s still a large diversity gap. In 2015, only 6% of U.S. graduates in design fields were African American and only 10% were Hispanic. For these same professional groups, the disparity extends with African American and Hispanic employment representing only 3% of our workforce. We believe those numbers can be improved with a strategic deliverable being stronger inclusivity.

In this year of great social change, our goal for this event was to address these diversity challenges, openly discuss why they exist and create a platform to support solutions moving forward. We hope this dialogue will positively influence corporate diversity programs, stimulate new ideas, while also connecting our community of designers, engineers, educators and students around this important topic.

Details
Thursday, November 12th, 2015 at the SFJAZZ Center
Time: 6:30pm – 10pm

Moderator
Megan Rose Dickey – Reporter, TechCrunch

Panelists
Kimberly Bryant – Founder, Black Girls Code
John Maeda – Design Partner, KPCB
Joelle Emerson – CEO, Paradigm
Jason Mayden – Designer, Accel Partners
Julio Martinez – Studio 1500

Photographer
Nelson Murray

All proceeds benefit Inneract Project programs serving underserved, Bay Area youth.