Black women in Canada are overrepresented in low-paid front-line jobs and are underrepresented in the professional and tech sectors when compared to other visible minorities. A Statistics Canada Report 2020 showed that Black women had lower rates of employment than other visible minorities. They were also underrepresented in the professional and technical fields. In computer and information systems, for example, about 15% of women were Chinese, 11% were South Asian, and 2.5% were Blacks. Black women were mostly health care assistants, cleaners, and cashiers (Gagnon and Milan 2020). Black Women Business Network (BWBN)  is conducting research funded by the  Women and Gender Equality Canada (Link) into why Black women are significantly underrepresented in the tech industry.

As part of this project, BWBN is inviting members of the Black community (High Schoolers, Post Secondary Students, Parents/Guardian, and Black Women willing to Transition to Tech,) to participate in round table discussions with the Black Community and Tech Employers in BC and AB to share their thoughts and perspectives on this issue and to propose solutions.The purpose of these engagements is to get the thoughts and perspectives of the Black Community on the root causes and experiences limiting the attraction, retention, and advancement of Black girls and women in tech-related fields and how we can together co-create meaningful interventions to increase their representation in tech careers.

We value your participation in this project. A gift card will be provided to participants as a token of appreciation.

Registration closes on Thursday June 30, 2022.