BuildUp Continues The Conversation on Diversity in Technology

Are we having the honest and ‘elephant in the room’ conversations when it comes to Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) in the technology industry?  D&I is a buzz word these days, but who is ‘really’ doing something about making impact in this space and moving the dial in our own backyards before trying to tackle the ‘global game’.  On June 24^th, BUILDUP, a global impact firm designed to connect, mentor and educate technology entrepreneurs across the world, is spearheading that conversation and they started with bringing technology and D&I professionals under one roof at Impact HUB Oakland.  The panelists were: Barbara Williams, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Oracle, Leah McGowen-Hare, Master Technical Instructor at Salesforce, Sarah P. Stuart, Manager – Global Diversity & Talent Inclusion at Google, Kiva Wilson, Diversity Program Manager at Facebook, Cedric Brown, Managing Partner at Kapor Foundation for Social Impact, Amy Schapiro, Director at CODE2040, Samantha O’Keefe of TechCrunch and the panel moderator was Kritina Omari, General Partner at BUILDUP.

Close to 100 people packed the room in anticipation of hearing from these technology and diversity leader professionals and the information they shared was insightful, hopeful and more importantly relatable. 

Kiva Wilson mentioned that the reason Facebook has not made their Diversity numbers public to date had everything to do with the company focusing internally on the dialogue and efforts  that are being made to ensure they are being impactful and effective when it comes to Diversity and further identifying their culture in that space.

Barbara Williams made it clear that she was on the panel representing her own views and not those of Oracle. With that said, her remarks started with that “unspoken” yet ‘wandering” question about being hired to ‘fill a quota” as opposed to because of your talents.  Barbara’s light hearted comment about a company getting a “2fer” when hiring a woman who is African American caused for laughter among the audience but at the same time it appeared to be very relative as though everyone In the room knew of it either happening to them or to someone they knew.

Cedric Brown gave a very pointed and effective solution to what needs to happen to move the dial on creating an inclusive technology ecosystem and he framed it as the 4P’s: Perception: as Oakland’s journey of thriving in the ‘tech’ space and becoming an attractive city to technology companies, investors and corporations, making sure Oakland kept the essence and origin of what the city is known as - ‘Soul by the Bay’; Partnership: collaborations are critical as no one corporation, individual or group can make a significant impact without support from the leaders in the technology industry; Pipeline: there has to be an intentional effort to not only just build a pipeline of talent but ensure there is diversity within that pool of individuals who are tapped for success; and Policy: there has to be policy around affordable housing in Oakland to even begin to get the attention of a diverse pool of technology talent who want to live, work and start families in the city.

So what’s next?  Where do we go from here?  Who is going to spearhead the ‘next conversation’?  Inquiring minds what to know.  And go!

For more information about BUILDUP visit www.buildup.vc

Motown The Musical - A Sneak Peek - SHN Orpheum Theater

I was determined to be on time for the 'sneak peak' of Motown the Musical at the Orpheum Theater yesterday.  From dodging $30 parking lots to backing up quickly to grab the last 'free meter on the street',  "I guess you'd say, what could make me feel this way".....MOTOWN!  As a child, I remember my Dad, who was a professional DJ at the time, had the hundreds of albums that were stacked on racks upon racks in the home, and the most memorable vision were those albums that had the 'blue, red and yellow' label.  More than 2000 people packed the theater in great anticipation of the performance and KBLX's own Nikki Thomas kicked things off with a ton of energy and excitement. She was definately in her Diana Ross moment, big hair and all.

Talk about 'evergreen' music, the stellar performance by the cast members took us down memory lane from singing Dancing In The Streets,  Diana Ross' To Love Again and the Temptations' I've Got Sunshine On A Cloudy Day to the point of a standing ovation. Then to watch the reenactment of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Diana Ross fall in love in Paris was 'butterfly fluttering' and you absolutely felt you were right there with them.

We know music is the bridge for all languages, cultures and even generations and this musical, as Motown Musical Director Charles Randolph Wright said last evening, has come at the right time for this nation.  Motown music inspires, gives hope, manifests dreams and brings back the memory of the Good Times.  Many times we have to be reminded of the simple things in our own lives which are, to so many others, a life of prosperity and abundance.

The San Francisco tour opens August 15th at the SHN Orpheum Theater and the tickets are definitely going to SELL OUT.  Go online and purchase your tickets now or else! And go!

Purchase Tickets

San Francisco Magazine Salutes "Oakland" in Style (June Issue)

On May 28th San Francisco Magazine celebrated the launch of their June issue which was completely 'dedicated to Oakland', at Encuentro Cafe & Wine Bar in Jack London Square.  Imagine that!  Why Oakland?  Because it's far past the city's time to be given the national and international recognition it deserves for being well beyond a trendsetter.  The June issue of San Francisco Magazine nails it when it comes to capturing the essence of Oakland from the Art scene to the politics of it all. 

Oakland is #1 when it comes to Innovation, Style and Diversity.  Many are behind the 8-ball in this discovery, but it's okay just don't sleep. My colleague Mashama Carter (510 Media), saw the writing on the wall more than 5 years ago during one of his many visits to the East Coast.  He came back to 'the town' and said that Oakland is going to be the next Brooklyn.  As his prediction would come true, the New York Times Magazine acknowledged the same in their recent article about Oakland as the Brooklyn By The Bay.

My favorite section in this issue is "The People - Neighboring Words of Wisdom // Lifestyles of the Important and Famous // Easter Sunday Fashion Show // East Oakland Hoop Dreamer // Artists Who Love Artists."  I would assume many that know me would see this as a 'no-brainer' in terms of why I gravitated to this section. I think you would like it as well so dive in and enjoy.  LOL. (Photo: SF Mag Cover)

As Oakland becomes, or is as many would say, the next best place to live, the city is certainly grabbing the attention of movers and shakers in various industries.  However, when film industry maverick Dexter Davis made the decision to move to 'the town' to take the reigns of innovating the movie-goer experience, it was simply brilliant.  Dexter Davis knew about the hidden treasures in Oakland when he expanded his company, D Street Media Group, headquartered in New York City, NY to opening an office in Oakland, CA.  Let's not stop there!  Mr. Davis took it a step further and made Oakland his home. Now while residing in the city, Dexter's plans for the film industry, from branded Apollo cinemas in South Africa to a 5-city tour of the Alice Walker documentary "Beauty in Truth", is a pure game changer and Oakland will absolutely never be the same.  Mr. Davis' travel to France for Festival de Cannes prevented him from attending the festivities yesterday, as it would have been an opportunity he certainly would not have missed.

The vibe, food and mixing was in high spirits yesterday at the SF Magazine celebration and these photos will tell that story.  This issue will become a 'hard find' so get to the newsstands now and purchase right away.  And go!

Chinese Watercolors by Colleen Quen - June 12, 2014