Black Boys in Tech Strives to Increase Diversity in Technology Through New Drones Course
DEC 19, 2022 | WRITTEN BY ABDINE LEWIS
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) occupations are an integral part of our global society. Scientists discover cures, create medications, and develop vaccines, many that fight against the spread of infectious diseases. Engineers find solutions to some of society's most pressing issues such as global warming, the lack of accessible drinking water, and low inventory of affordable housing. Mathematicians create complex algorithms that allow AI technology, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles to be possible. While it is important to have people of various identities and backgrounds be a part of the advancement of society, we find that disparities exist in STEM occupations along the lines of gender and race/ethnicity.
The Racial Wealth Gap in America
A study done by the Pew Research Center found an uneven progress in increasing gender and racial/ethnic diversity in STEM jobs in the United States. The Center reports that Black employees make up 11% of all employed people, but just 9% of those who work in STEM fields(1). Further, only 5% of engineers and 7% of computer professionals are black. Black men, specifically, represent only 3% of engineers in the United States(2). The Economic State of Black America report by McKinsey & Company shows that Black workers are concentrated in lower paying roles such as nursing assistants, cashiers, and security guards, and sparse in higher paying roles such as managers, physicians, and software developers(3).
Although the average US worker makes roughly $42,000 a year, 43% of Black workers make less than $30,000(2). This wage disparity affects Black people's economic security, upward social mobility, and wealth building potential. Nevertheless, community-based programs such as Black Boys in Tech that provide career development can help to close the racial wealth gap.
Black Boys in Tech - A Community-Based Solution
Black Boys in Tech (BBIT) is a non-profit organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio whose mission is to close the racial wealth gap and transform marginalized communities through STEM talent development. BBIT was founded in April of 2022 by Abdine Lewis in response to Cincinnati-area mothers' requests for a year-round program that could involve their Black sons in project-based learning. While Organizations such as the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, INTERalliance, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and other community-based organizations provide STEM experiences for students in Cincinnati, there is a void of organizations that curate STEM experiences specifically for Black and Indigenous Boys of Color. BBIT exists, in part, to fill this need for the Greater Cincinnati region.
STEM experiences cannot exist apart from the acknowledgement of the role gender, race, and socioeconomic status plays in students’ ability to engage with and persist through STEM experiences. If it were a matter of merely providing STEM experiences, then the plethora of STEM programs that already exist in the Cincinnati region would have a roster filled with Black boys. However, the reality is that many organizations fall short in providing opportunities that are culturally appropriate and capture the sustained attention of Black boys. This is part of the reason why Black boys struggle to connect with and stay committed to STEM programming.
Nevertheless, when Black boys are exposed to learning opportunities that nurture their interests, opportunities to interact with same-race STEM professionals, and culturally relevant STEM experiences that increase self-worth, they not only take the chance to learn STEM but persist through the preparation process(4). Black Boys in Tech places at the heart of its work the development of Black Boys’ STEM identities which builds their STEM interests and competencies while nurturing their reflective identities (seeing themselves reflected in a STEM role). Black Boys in Tech carries out its mission through three areas of focus: STEM skill development, Career Development, and Empowerment. These focus areas are reflected in all Black Boys in Tech programs, including the inaugural BBIT Drones Course.
Reflections on the BBIT Fall 2022 Drones Course
Since Black Boys in Tech’s inception, the organization has made tremendous progress. Firstly, the organization implemented its first program in the Fall of 2022, a 12-Week Drones Course that allows Black and Inegenous Boys of Color to explore the technology field through completing tech and engineering projects, visiting colleges and tech companies, and receiving mentorship from Black men STEM professionals.
Black Boys in Tech was also one of sixty organizations selected to receive the United Way Black Empowerment Works Grants and accepted into the 3rd cohort of grant recipients. These funds provide programmatic support for the BBIT 12-Week Drones Course. Further, BBIT was approved as a Qualified Education Service Provider under the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program. Students who are eligible for the BLK Boys in Tech Scholarship may use their educational savings account to cover the cost of tuition for the Drones Course. This allows most students to participate in the Drones Course at little to no cost.
The first cohort of Drones Course participants graduated on December 3rd, 2022. All participants successfully built a drone starter kit, designed and created a drone shipping container, obtained their recreational drone pilot license through the Pilot Institute, visited four universities, and created a career portfolio, just to name a few accomplishments.
When asked how the information that he learned in the course will help him in the future, Ja’Mias, one of the drones course participants said, “This information that I learned could help me in my career with the military because I can figure out some of the technical issues and soldering problems for faulty wiring.” One parent had this to say about her son’s participation in the course: “For the first time in 4 years, I watched my son be challenged in so many ways, and even through all of the ‘norm breaking.’ he found that part of himself that I thought was lost.” While these gentlemen have completed the BBIT Drones Course, they will continue as Black Boys in Tech members and receive ongoing opportunities to prepare for a career in technology.
Upcoming Spring 2023 Drones Course
Black Boys in Tech announced on December 13th, 2022 the opening of the Spring 2023 Drone Course Registration. Registration will close on February 10th, but students who apply by January 31st will have their registration fee waived. Students must be in grades 6-9 and reside in Hamilton or Montgomery County in order to participate. Students are also encouraged to apply for the BLK Boys in Tech Scholarship which will cover the cost of tuition for eligible applicants. Space is limited as the course will only accept 30 students.
Ways to Support BBIT’s Mission
While diversifying the STEM fields and closing the racial-wealth gap are no small tasks, there are steps that can be taken to work towards these goals. For starters, individuals and companies can get involved with organizations that provide STEM opportunities to under-represented and marginalized groups. They can also provide such opportunities themselves. For those wanting to support Black Boys in Tech’s mission, here are five ways that you can get involved.
1. Use Our Services: Invite BBIT to join your classroom, after school program, or community organization to implement STEM programming.
2. Partner With Us - Do you have a STEM opportunity that our members can participate in? Do you work at a University or Company that could facilitate a group visit? If so, please reach out and partner with us.
3. Follow Us On Facebook - Black Boys in Tech posts to social media twice a week with updates and relevant resources for Black Boys and their families. Like, share, or comment on our posts in order for the resources to reach more students.
4. Join Our Team - Black Boys in Tech has a number of volunteer roles ranging from content facilitator to advisor. Please check out the volunteer page for a complete list of volunteer roles.
5. Donate to One of Our Funds - None of BBIT’s programs would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Please consider donating to one of our funds such as the BLK Boys in Tech Scholarship Fund or the Black Male STEM Educator Funds. These funds help us to offer our services at little to no cost to our participants, many of whom are low-income.
REFERENCES
1. Fry, R., Kennedy, B., & Funk, C. (2021, April 1). STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Pew Research Center Science & Society. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven -progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/
2. National Science Foundation. (2017). Overall trends - Occupation - nsf.gov - Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering - NCSES - US National Science Foundation (NSF). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17310/digest/occupation/overall.cfm
3. Stewart, S., III, Chui, M., Manyika, J., Julien, J. P., Hunt, D. V., Sternfels, B., Woetzel, J., & Zhang, H. (2022, July 14). The economic state of Black America: What is and what could be. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/the-economic-state-of-black-america-what-is-and-what-could-be
4. Collins, K. H., & Jones Roberson, J. (2020). Developing STEM Identity and Talent in Underrepresented Students: Lessons Learned From Four Gifted Black Males in a Magnet School Program. Gifted Child Today, 43(4), 218–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1076217520940767