Tech Advances Racial Equity

The technology industry is committed to promoting an inclusive workforce and nation that reflects the diversity of our customers and people. TechNet member companies are advancing racial equality through new programs, partnerships, initiatives, and investments. Read more below about how TechNet members are working to close the racial gap and provide opportunities for all Americans.

AT&T’s HBCU Future Leaders Program Creates Pathways to Success (AT&T)

Interns from the AT&T EDGE internship and other programs will participate in a workforce readiness experience that provides access to senior leaders, experiential learning, and leadership skills development.

Celebrating and Supporting Black Enterprise (Uber)

As Black-owned restaurants are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing pandemic, Uber Eats is committed to supporting these and all the local restaurants that our communities know and love.

Comcast RISE to Award $5 Million in Grants to Small Businesses (Comcast)

Comcast announced the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $5 million dollars of grants to hundreds of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, small businesses.

Amazon’s Commitment to America’s Communities and Economic Recovery (Amazon)

Amazon launched a Housing Equity Fund — a $2 billion commitment to preserve existing housing and to create inclusive housing developments.

Expanding Educational Opportunities for Over 1.5 Million Underserved Students (Intuit)

Intuit is pledging $1,000,000 as a starting investment to help over 1,500,000 underserved students to help close the growing educational gap due to the digital divide.

Celebrating Black History Month at DoorDash (DoorDash)

Honoring Black History Month (Nasdaq)

Comcast Provides Update on Decade-Long Commitment to Digital Equity; Announces Plans to Accelerate Efforts in 2021 (Comcast)

What’s New in Tech

Reaching Billions of People With COVID-19 Vaccine Information (Facebook)

A year ago, COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency and since then, Facebook has helped health authorities reach billions of people with accurate information and supported health and economic relief efforts. It has connected over 2 billion people from 189 countries to reliable information about the coronavirus through our COVID-19 Information Center and informational messages, and they have removed more than 12 million pieces of content on Facebook and Instagram containing misinformation that could lead to imminent physical harm. Facebook has partnered with governments in more than 120 countries, as well as multilateral organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, to deliver timely information about COVID-19, including through helplines on WhatsApp. Read more here.

Before You Start Your Weekend

Search for and support places like The Four Way Restaurant, one of the thousands of Black-owned businesses found on Google. When Irene Cleaves opened The Four Way Grill in 1946, her dream was to serve the best soul food in Memphis. It’s unlikely she ever could have imagined the lasting legacy her restaurant would come to have on it’s community and the world. Now entering its 75th year, Patrice Bates Thompson plans to continue that legacy for generations to come. Learn about the Black-owned attribute and other free small business resources at: https://www.grow.google/smallbusiness. (Google)