As a young girl in an older 2 bedroom apartment in New Jersey, I knew that the only way forward to a better life was through education. There were many days, I either sat on my bed completing homework assignments or sat at a folding tray table only big enough to hold a tv dinner. All the while, visions of what could be were floating in my head. I knew that if I could get through high school, college and graduate school, I could create an entirely different life, not only for myself but for my future children. After dropping out of college twice due to finances, the third time was the charm. I was able to finish college with high honors and attend law school on a fellowship.

My legal education allowed me access to several industries, including Tech. Viewing Tech from a labor and employment law perspective, allowed me to see how “the sausage was made”. It enabled me to see how hires were made, who was promoted, who was sabotaged and who was fired. While the Tech world is doing a better job of creating programs that are geared toward increasing diversity, it has a long way to go when it comes to talent retention. Retaining diverse talent involves creating safe environments where differences are not merely tolerated but respected and encouraged. Where diverse candidates are given opportunities to shine. Where they are allowed to explore their ideas and allowed to fail and try again. The industry needs to provide capable employees with access to senior leaders and the ability to take on stretch assignments.

The Morningbird Foundation works with students to provide them scholarship assistance and to assist them on their journey to enter the technology field successfully. We ask that the Tech companies create a safe space for these students to have successful careers and access to their desired futures.