The technology industry is now driving the future of the modern world.

Technology has constantly shaped our lives, fueled economic growth, revolutionized communication, and transformed our lives and work. 

Yet, despite the industry’s growth, there are still several underrepresented groups in tech. Certain groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are consistently underrepresented in tech.

This lack of diversity isn’t just a social or ethical issue; it hinders innovation and economic growth. 

Studies have shown that a diverse and inclusive team can increase creativity, decision-making, and profit. 

For example, a McKinsey study found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than peer companies in the fourth quartile. 

Looking at this concrete number, the picture of underrepresentation becomes clearer. According to the WomenTech Network, women currently make up about 35% of tech-related jobs. 

Representation is even lower for women of color. Black and Hispanic or Latinx workers are significantly underrepresented in tech compared to their proportion in the overall workforce. 

For instance, Google’s workforce in 2022 was 48.3% white, 43.2% Asian, 6.9% Latinx, 5.3% Black, and 0.8% Native American. Fast-forward to 2024, and the numbers are still far from balanced: 0.9% Native Americans, 5.7% Black, and 7.5% Latinx, compared to 45.7% Asians and 45.3% Whites, according to Statista.

The reasons for underrepresented groups in tech vary from systemic biases in hiring and promotion, limited access to quality STEM education in underserved communities, a lack of inclusive workplace cultures, and stereotypes that discourage certain groups from pursuing tech careers. 

Encouraging more people from underrepresented groups to enter tech is not enough; we must also create inclusive environments where they can thrive. Governments, educational institutions, technology companies, and community organizations must collaborate to address and empower underrepresented groups in tech. 

RELATED BLOG POSTS

• HOW GENDER DIVERSITY IS FUELING THE NEXT WAVE OF TECH INNOVATION
• LEADING WITH HEART: HOW ONE WOMAN IS REDEFINING TECH IN NIGERIA
• 5 WAYS FINTECH WEBSITES ARE RESHAPING MODERN BUSINESSES
• 10 TOP PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES FOR WEB DEVELOPERS IN 2025

What Is Diversity in Tech?

Diversity in tech refers to the balanced representation of individuals from various backgrounds within the technology industry. 

This background covers various characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical and mental abilities, religion, neurodiversity, and educational background. 

Diversity in tech is not just about the numbers; it also involves creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

An inclusive and diverse tech industry can lead to the development of unbiased products and services. Humans are innately designed to create solutions that cater to personal experiences and perspectives. 

You cannot solve a problem you haven’t imagined or experienced. Forcing this can result in products that are inaccessible, ineffective, or even harmful to specific groups. 

For example, facial recognition software has been shown to be less accurate for people with darker skin tones, and voice assistants often struggle to understand accents or non-native speakers. 

A diverse team, on the other hand, can identify and mitigate these biases during the design and development process, leading to more inclusive technology.

Diverse teams are also better at understanding the needs of diverse customer bases, allowing companies to reach broader markets and achieve greater success.

Ways to Empower Underrepresented Groups in Tech

Here are some ways we can collectively empower underrepresented groups in tech:

1. Equal access to education and training

One of the key steps in empowering underrepresented groups in the tech industry is to provide equal access to education and training. 

Many individuals from these groups face systemic barriers that limit their access to quality education in technology. 

Investing in initiatives that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in schools and colleges can create a diverse tech talent pool.

For example, in Africa, various initiatives, NGOs, and even government organizations are focused on improving access to digital empowerment for the general population.

Some of these initiatives focus on groups like youths, women, and children.

2. Promoting positive role models

Promoting positive role models is essential to encourage young people, especially girls and women, to pursue careers in technology. 

At Charisol, for instance, we take time to appreciate our women in tech and their extraordinary work. 

Women in tech can serve as inspiration and guide aspiring female technologists toward success. 

Organizations can collaborate with schools and community centers to establish coding clubs, hackathons, and workshops that expose young girls to the world of technology and encourage their interest in pursuing tech-related careers.

However, this isn’t limited to young girls and women. Individuals from other underrepresented groups can also benefit from targeted role model promotions.

3. Overcoming systemic barriers

Addressing the racial and ethnic disparities in the tech industry requires targeted efforts to dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder the progress of minority groups. 

One way to achieve this is by establishing partnerships between technology companies and organizations that focus on empowering these communities. 

By providing scholarships, internships, and apprenticeships to talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, we can create pathways to success and overcome the historical disadvantages they face.

4. Fostering an inclusive culture

In addition to education and training, another critical aspect of closing the tech skills gap is fostering a culture of inclusivity within the industry. 

Technology companies must actively eliminate bias and discrimination in hiring practices and create a welcoming environment for diverse talents. 

This involves implementing diversity and inclusion programs, organizing training on unconscious or implicit bias, and defining precise rules for equitable hiring and promotion procedures.

5. Empowering through employee resource groups (ERGs)

In reducing the occurrence of underrepresented groups in tech, companies should prioritize creating employee resource groups (ERGs) that support these groups.

This can be achieved by providing a safe space for employees to share experiences, network, and access professional development opportunities. 

ERGs can effectively influence corporate policies and practices to guarantee that diversity and inclusion are top priorities at all organizational levels.

6. Harnessing the power of mentorship

Mentorship and sponsorship programs are effective means of empowering underrepresented groups in tech. 

Combining experienced experts with aspiring technologists from underrepresented backgrounds can give important mentorship, support, and career growth prospects. 

Companies can establish formal mentorship programs or collaborate with external organizations to create mentorship networks that connect individuals with relevant expertise and experiences.

7. Fostering entrepreneurship

Another important aspect of empowering underrepresented groups in tech is enhancing entrepreneurship and providing resources for startups led by individuals from these communities. 

Governments and industry bodies can also play a significant role by creating programs and policies providing financial support and resources tailored to underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

Closing the tech skills gap and empowering underrepresented groups in tech requires the combined efforts of governments, educational institutions, technology companies, and community organizations. 

Empowering these underrepresented groups can include closing systemic barriers, increasing access to digital empowerment, organizing mentorship and entrepreneurial programs to encourage participation, promoting role models, and fostering inclusive communities.

At Charisol, we invest in diversity and inclusion. We tap into the immense talent and potential within underrepresented groups, ultimately driving innovation and shaping a more inclusive tech industry for the future. 

Increasing diversity in tech requires more than increasing the number of people. We must work together to ensure that every diverse individual can fully express themselves.

Change is not easy, but it starts with us!

Are you from one of the underrepresented groups in tech? Share your story in the comments.

READ MORE: BREAKING BARRIERS: MEET THE WOMEN IN TECH POWERING CHARISOL’S SUCCESS