Posted by: BIT-Nashville
from: BIT-NASHVILLE PARTNERS WITH CULTURALLY TECH TO HELP DIVERSIFY NASHVILLE’S TECH PIPELINE
The Nashville chapter of the Blacks in Technology Foundation (BIT-Nashville) has partnered with a new local non-profit called Culturally Tech to diversify Nashville’s tech talent pipeline.
BIT is a global non-profit with over 13,000 members in 7 countries around the world. The goal of the organization is to increase the number of black people in tech, while facilitating the advancement of those already in the industry.
Holly Rachel and Lena Winfree are the co-organizers of the BIT-Nashville chapter, and have partnered with multiple local non-profits, companies, and educational institutions with the purpose of increasing the diversity of the Nashville technology community.
Culturally Tech is a Nashville non-profit with a goal of increasing the number of underrepresented groups pursuing careers in the tech industry by providing technology programs for high school students that exposes them to industry-aligned skills.
Culturally Tech founders Stephen Castaneda, Namita Manohar, and Mehreen Butt partner with local tech companies to host hands-on technology programming at area high schools twice a month. Students are exposed to software engineering, web development, tech entrepreneurship, and other technology skills.
According to Holly Rachel, 34, BIT-Nashville co-organizer and President: “Partnering with Culturally Tech was really a no-brainer for us. In our opinion, a functioning tech pipeline has to start long before students pick a major in college.
“If we can reach young people at an earlier point in their education, there is more opportunity for them to be exposed to a variety of tech skills and careers. This expands their view of what ‘tech’ is and helps them begin to see a future for themselves in the industry. Ultimately, initiatives like this are a key part of building a consistent pipeline of diverse tech talent.”
Stephen Castaneda, 32, Curriculum Development at Culturally Tech adds: “As a Black man in tech, I’m grateful
for the fantastic work BIT-Nashville has done as an organization to create opportunities for people that look like me. For our students to choose tech careers, they need to know that there is a space for them in the field. BIT-Nashville has been doing the work to create that space for Blacks and other underrepresented groups in tech. I’m excited about how this partnership will benefit our students at Culturally Tech as we look to further build a pipeline into tech careers.”
Holly Rachel adds, “We are always looking for unique ways for our members to be able to give back to the tech community. Engaging with the young people in our communities is a great way to pay it forward, as well as ensure that young people see themselves represented in the industry. Giving back is an important part of BIT-Nashville membership, and we are happy to be partnering with Culturally Tech to help our members have opportunities to do just that.”
BIT-Nashville represents the latest in over 40 chapters of the BIT Foundation. Prospective members can join their local chapter at Foundation.BlacksInTechnology.net. The Blacks In Technology Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entity of Blacks in Technology, LLC.
ENDS
For media inquiries contact: Holly Rachel, President and co-organizer, Pres@bitnash.org, 615-314-3495
Notes To Editors:
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For more information about The Blacks In Technology Foundation go to foundation.blacksintechnology.net
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For more information about Rachel + Winfree Consulting, go to www.Rachelwinfree.com
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For more information about Culturally Tech, go to www.CulturallyTech.com
submitted by: Holly Rachel