Angela Oppelt’s Post

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a pivotal moment in American history that marks the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom for Black Americans. As we reflect on the significance of this day, it's essential to recognize the ongoing journey toward equality and representation in every facet of society, including the tech industry. 💻 The Power of Representation In software engineering, diverse perspectives fuel innovation. Yet, Black engineers and technologists remain underrepresented in our field. To truly honor the spirit of Juneteenth, we must commit to fostering environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Steps Towards Inclusion Mentorship and Sponsorship: Establish mentorship programs that connect Black engineers with industry veterans. These relationships can provide guidance, support, and opportunities for growth. Education and Training: Partner with organizations that focus on coding education in underserved communities. By investing in education, we can help build the next generation of diverse tech leaders. Inclusive Hiring Practices: Implement recruitment strategies that actively seek out and support diverse candidates. This includes re-evaluating job descriptions, sourcing from diverse talent pools, and mitigating bias in the hiring process. Supportive Work Environment: Create a workplace culture that values and respects all voices. This means addressing microaggressions, ensuring equitable opportunities for advancement, and promoting a culture of belonging. Let’s honor Juneteenth by committing to action, celebrating diversity, and creating lasting change in the software engineering community. 🎉

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and a Call for Progress As we celebrate the delayed emancipation of enslaved people in Texas this Juneteenth, it's crucial to remember the historical context. The fact that Black Texans weren't informed of their freedom for months after the Emancipation Proclamation highlights the systemic barriers Black people have always faced in America. I didn't learn about Juneteenth in school when I was growing up. It was later on in college that I fully understood the history and what it meant. As a Black man in tech, Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of resilience and the fight for equality. It motivates me to push for a more inclusive tech industry where Black talent is not only valued but actively fostered. The tech industry thrives on innovation. To truly move forward, we need diverse perspectives and experiences at the table. Juneteenth serves as a call to action for the entire industry to dismantle barriers and invest in creating a more equitable space for Black professionals and professionals of color. Let's use this occasion to celebrate Black achievement in tech and recommit to building a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. #Juneteenth #BlackInTech #EqualityInTech

This powerful article by LeRon L. Barton highlights the reality for Black professionals navigating the tech industry. LeRon’s personal account sheds light on the persistent barriers and biases Black individuals face in tech—a field still dominated by homogeneity, where representation remains a pressing issue. The article discusses how being one of the few Black voices in tech impacts identity, mental health, and career progression, and why creating truly inclusive workplaces requires more than just surface-level diversity initiatives. At StreetCode, we’re committed to supporting underserved communities with the skills, mentorship, and networks they need to thrive in tech. This isn’t just about representation; it’s about building a tech industry where everyone’s voice and experience are respected and valued: https://lnkd.in/gYvPn5eA #tech #technews #equalaccess #futureleaders #techeducation

Today, millions of Americans join to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that honors the freedom and resilience of the Black community and is also a symbol of the importance of diversity and inclusion. Lumen Technologies has a big focus on allyship. Juneteenth is an important opportunity to demonstrate allyship - to learn and listen and be intentional about your support of those around you. It’s also a chance to take some time to reflect on your own journey of learning and allyship, and to support causes and organizations that advance racial justice and equity. Juneteenth is a day of celebration, but also a day of action! Let’s celebrate the freedom, joy, and creativity of the Black community. Let’s celebrate the diversity and inclusion that make us stronger. And let’s celebrate cultures that value inclusion and empathy as much as innovation and excellence.

I don’t have much to say about Juneteenth other than we a day off does not mean equity or progress. We have a long way to go. If you gave all your employees off but don’t have DEI trainings.. If you closed down your business for the holiday but didn’t fund scholarships or fellowships .. If you are en executive or in the c-suite and you are Black and took the day off but the other 364 days of the year you are anti-Black, sabotage, do not support or otherwise associate with people from the Black diaspora.. If you had a #Juneteenth program but did not actively increase your inclusion budgetss, make a concerted effort to hire, promote or recruit… If you have T-shirts, “Black themed” food, decorations or a Black music month program but do not provide safe spaces or psychological safety for people to exist at your company.. If you sponsored a “Black tech week or conference” anywhere but aren’t increasing funding of and towards Black Capital funds, founders or eco systems, acquiring their companies, purchasing their products or services.. If you are watching legal take downs of programs that enable access for Black people but do not assist or create policies to prevent these kinds of attacks… If you celebrate Juneteenth but don’t celebrate Pride month or think Black Women or Black Queer history is part of that narrative of freedom.. If your marketing materials and designs are not inclusive, don’t include diversity in your future planning or envision a future where Black people are making an impact with your brand other than as consumers.. If you are an ally but do not support ERGs with anything other than coming to a zoom call but do not advocate for Black employees when they are not in the room… You have essentially just proven the point that the broader culture isn’t celebrating Juneteenth, you are being performative, and that isn’t creating any change other than revenues and products” with a holiday name on it. Next year give the day off + increase budgets, hiring, outreach, promotion, training and psychological safety for students, employees and the Black communities you “serve”.

Black History Month is an annual recognition of the history, achievements, and influence of the UK black community. There are countless ways in which we can stand with the black community in our day-to-day lives, including challenging stereotypes, addressing bias, and offering a helping hand. At Franklin Fitch, we want to take this as an opportunity to start conversations about race. Conversations about race are important to have in the workplace because they support an organisation's anti-racism work and encourage a two-way dialogue and conversation about race between black, Asian, minority ethnic and white employees. We created a Black History Month booklet that highlights the history and importance of Black History Month, we spotlight Black pioneers who made groundbreaking contributions to technology and celebrate the incredible Black innovators, leaders, and influencers who are continuing to shape the tech industry. We have included some resources for what you can read, listen to and watch which can help you to learn about and celebrate Black history and culture while understanding the systemic changes that need to happen to achieve equality. Click on the link attached to read our full Black History Month 2024 booklet here: https://lnkd.in/ecthn3eM A time to listen, a time to learn, but above all, it's a time to celebrate. #blackhistorymonth #BHM

🌍 As October begins, so does our celebration of UK Black History Month. This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, is about more than just reflection. It’s about taking ownership of stories that have shaped Black heritage—stories that have often been left untold or misunderstood. At Snyk, we’re committed to doing more than just talking about diversity and inclusion—we’re living it. This October, we’re spotlighting the voices, experiences, and contributions of the Black community through a series of meaningful events: 🍽️ Black-Owned Business Lunches: In our main hubs, we’ll be savoring diverse dishes from local Black-owned restaurants, all while supporting and promoting economic empowerment. 🖤 Black@Snyk Discussions: A space for us to come together, share, and learn from each other’s stories, as we explore the theme of reclaiming narratives. 🗣️ Anti-Racist Conversations Workshop: Led by Abena Akuffo-Kelly, this workshop will give us the chance to engage in open, honest discussions about race in the workplace, helping us grow as individuals and as a community. 💻 Keynote on Bias-Free AI: Our keynote speaker will guide us through the challenges of eliminating bias in technology and what it means to create a more inclusive future in tech. 🥂 Themed Happy Hours: Bringing our community together to not just celebrate but also learn more about Black culture in a meaningful and engaging way. Join us in learning, supporting, and uplifting Black communities. Together, we can help shape a future where every narrative is honored, and every voice is heard. 💬 #ReclaimingNarratives #BlackHistoryMonthUK #LifeAtSnyk

Black History Month is more than a reflection on the past. It’s a recognition of our shared history, our contributions, and our resilience. It’s a reminder of the greatness and richness of Black culture, the power of our voices, and the undeniable impact we’ve had on shaping the world. Every day is a new opportunity to amplify Black voices, uphold true diversity and inclusion, and create meaningful change. As we close out this month, let’s commit to honoring Black resilience and history beyond October (UK) or February (US) building a stronger, more inclusive future together 💪🏾✊🏾🤎 This video was originally created for a Google event. Watch the full version here: https://lnkd.in/ePcWJ6h6 to join in and stand together. #BlackHistoryMonth #InclusionMatters #DiversityInLeadership #EquityInAction #BlackExcellence #StandTogether #AmplifyBlackVoices #Google #LifeAtGoogle

Happy Black History Month 🎉🖤 This year's theme, Reclaiming the Narrative, is a powerful reminder of the importance of Black talent owning their stories, voices, and contributions within the media and advertising industry. For far too long, the narrative surrounding Black talent has often been shaped by others, overshadowing the brilliance, creativity, and innovation we bring to the table. Now is the time to take control of our stories, highlight our impact, and redefine how we’re seen and celebrated. Reclaiming the narrative means breaking stereotypes, challenging underrepresentation, and showcasing the true value and diversity Black professionals bring to the industry. By owning our stories, we’re not only empowering ourselves but also inspiring the next generation to step into spaces with confidence and authenticity. At MEFA, we believe that your story matters! Your journey, your achievements, your voice. This month, let’s celebrate those stories, amplify them, and continue the work of reshaping the industry to be more inclusive, equitable, and representative of all communities. Let’s reclaim our narrative, one story at a time. ✊🏾 #MEFA #BlackHistoryMonth #ReclaimTheNarrative #DiversityAndInclusion #BlackExcellence

A story for Black History Month.. We once had a cleaner, he would come in periodically to clean the office, he was an older black man, probably in his early 50's. One day, he came in and me and Azzees were still in the office working at our desks. He started cleaning, we had our usual conversation, abit of banter and abit about life generally, then every so often he would pause and just look at us, and when I'd catch his eye, he'd look away and go back to what he was doing. Eventually, he stopped what he was doing, walked up to our desks and said: "I don't see this much you know, this is different" Me and Azzees were confused, we looked at each other and then looked back at him He said it again, "I mean it, you really don't see this much" I responded with, "what do you mean?" He said: "You know, you two, two black founders in an office in Central London, I'm used to being in offices where the owners are often white, or Asian, but definitely not black, this is beautiful to see, well done to you both, it's nice to see things are changing" It was a really heart warming moment for us, but also a reminder of the influence you can have just by being you. We never set out to be "black founders" - we just set out to solve a problem, and that has lead to people young and old being inspired by what we do. This Black History Month, I encourage you to celebrate the black people out there stepping out of their comfort zones and doing something different. So I'm going to take this opportunity to shout out a few other black social entrepreneurs doing brilliant work: Dr. Kenny Imafidon MBE Burphy Zumu Lydia Amoah FRSA Jay Richards George Imafidon MBE Julian Boaitey Kike Oniwinde Agoro Andy Ayim MBE Dr. William Adoasi (Hons) We're excited to be speaking at a few events this BHM and sharing insights on building a diverse team and working with young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds If you're looking for a speaker for your event, get in touch: carl@2-3degrees.com 2-3 Degrees Azzees Minott 😎 #blackfounder #blackbusiness #socialenterprise #BHM #blackhistorymonth