The Importance of Incorporating African-American Perspectives in the Technology Sector
In the realm of tech, Leon Burns III is trailblazing a mission to unite underrepresented communities with opportunities within STEM. Over the past year, he's spearheaded a whopping 11 STEM initiatives for Black students, setup a $100,000 scholarship for business and management information systems (MIS) majors at his alma mater - historically Black Hampton University, and partnered with nonprofits to provide laptops to graduating high school girls.
So, why's Burns, who runs the show as the president and CEO of Open Technology Group (OTG), putting in all this hard work? Well, according to the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, Black folks make up 14% of the U.S. workforce, but only 8% of tech employees. And the picture's bleaker when it comes to top-tier execs. Burns himself got a taste of tech early on, which was a rarity among his peers, and he's felt a sense of responsibility to give back and open doors ever since.
"The divide comes from a lack of exposure, limited investment in tech programs, and scarce access to mentors who look like us," says Burns. He believes these factors are key reasons why Black representation in tech is so dismal.
The tech landscape is evolving, especially in areas like AI, and Burns is concerned about being left behind. "There's a real fear that we'll be swept aside if we don't act now," he shares, emphasizing a tangible sense of urgency.
Presently, around ten HBCUs offer formal business analytics programs, which Burns sees as a significant void. "This is a major issue, considering analytics play a crucial role in decision-making across business and society," he elucidates. He points out that often, African Americans and other minorities are overlooked when AI tools and algorithms are being developed, leading to lopsided data and decisions that could be risky.
Karim Ginena, an organizational behaviorist, agrees, noting that both women and people of color are underrepresented in AI output in terms of answers and images. In an interview with Knowledge at Wharton, he warned that if these biases go unchecked, they could worsen unfairness at an alarming rate.
To tackle these challenges, Burns' scholarship supports 20 students majoring in business and minoring in MIS, with a focus on those eyeing careers in business analytics. His goal is simple: to kindle interest, expand access, and trigger long-term change that ensures our voices and perspectives are part of the data shaping the future. Besides, Burns has led initiatives at OTG to close the pay gap for women in tech, launched a company-wide certification program to helps team members overcome barriers to advancement, and kickstarted a resume revamp program to support employees pursuing internal promotions and government opportunities.
For Burns, it's not enough to merely "be in the tech space." He's always been driven to establish genuine pathways for others to grow and lead in it as well. While a student at Hampton, he learnt that people flourish when they feel "seen, supported, and included in the culture." That lesson has shaped his leadership style. For Burns, "inclusivity and transparency" are the pillars on which he's constructed his role as CEO.
Burns is also attentive to the mental health of Black folks in tech, a factor often neglected in the fast-paced corporate and tech environments. He shared his approach at OTG: "We added a floating holiday for a dedicated mental health day, sponsor a monthly company lunch for the team to discuss work environment improvements, and updated our insurance policies to make therapy more accessible." His personal experiences led him to advocate for mental health, having started therapy after his father, Leon Burns Jr., who founded the company, passed in 2011.
Lastly, Burns credits his alma mater for teaching him to embrace discussions around vulnerability. He believes that HBCUs in recent years have "created space for students to understand their unique challenges and insecurities can be exploited in professional environments." Prioritizing wellness over discomfort or financial gain, he believes, is a crucial part of leadership.
Burns' vision revolves around transformation and access. He aspires to create environments where others can envision more for their futures. His ultimate goal: To make sure that Black students don't get left in the dust.
- Leo Burns III, along with Marybeth Gasman, is working towards enhancing the tech landscape by advocating for Black representation, with a focus on STEM education, as evidenced by his initiatives at Hampton University and the Open Technology Group (OTG).
- In order to promote diversity and inclusion in fields such as AI, fashion-and-beauty, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle, Burns is dedicated to addressing issues like limited access to tech education, mentorship, and opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as Black students.
- As part of his commitment to promoting mental health and well-being, Burns has implemented practices within OTG such as adding a floating holiday for mental health days, sponsoring team lunches to discuss work environment improvements, and updating insurance policies to make therapy more accessible.
