TechPoint, a not-for-profit growth accelerator for Indiana’s tech ecosystem, is partnering with InnoPower, a community development organization that helps low-income communities and people of color, to increase opportunities for Black Hoosiers in the tech sector.
The partners plan to facilitate “Design Thinking” sessions, in which a series of gatherings will focus on developing Black tech talent in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Gary.
TechPoint CEO Ting Gootee says the organizations are working to inclusively grow Indiana’s tech sector by 41,000 people by 2030.
“This partnership will be key to reaching Black Hoosiers to let them know that we welcome them; in fact, we need them, to be part of our community,” said Gootee. “Our tech companies will be the better for their participation, insights and leadership.”
“The launch event showcased the thoughtfulness and the dedication TechPoint has put into this effort, and it was energizing to see so many people focused on creating an equitable and inclusive approach to hiring,” said InnoPower Indy founder and CEO Emil Ekiyor. “Collaboration and a continued focus on doing the hard work to develop, attract and retain more Black talent in this field will be key.”
The partners will host three-phased sessions to learn what obstacles exist, develop ideas to overcome those obstacles, and then implement those ideas.
Three public sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:
“A lot of people in Indiana are working to address equity in tech, but their efforts are fragmented and separate from each other,” Ekiyor said. “It will be better for all of us if we adopt a systems approach to collectively leverage the valuable efforts that have been made and create scalable impact in growing opportunities for access to tech careers for Black and Brown Hoosiers.”
TechPoint is also working with companies throughout the tech sector to update their hiring practices to make them more inclusive and welcoming and to adopt new pathways to careers like youth and adult apprenticeships.
Indiana is taking steps to strengthen its small business community with a proposed Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This initiative aims to streamline resources, promote innovation, and empower entrepreneurs across the state.
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