FOCUS100’s Push for Greater Diversity in the Tech Industry

According to published reports, African American women in the tech industry receive less than one percent of the financing venture capital funds provide each year. So in 2012, Kathryn Finney founded digitalundivided.com, to arm diverse female tech innovators, from all over the world, with the training, mentorship and exposure needed to successfully participate in the male dominated industry.

“The social enterprise that develops programs that increase the active participation of urban communities, especially women, in the digital space,” provides classes and events to promote four key areas: 1) Start -- a workshop series focused on teaching urban entrepreneurs how to turn their ideas into a product; 2) Grow -- a network of meet-ups that allow entrepreneurs to support each other; 3) Focus -- a program that mentors tech companies that black women cofounded; and 4) Invest -- a project that helps urban tech companies find funding. And the strategy is working. Good idea + strong content + millions of viewers = The doors opening up for you. Expect to hear more about these young ladies finding similar success in the tech industry because, as I often say: All closed doors aren’t locked.