Over the past seven years, UKBlackTech (UKBT) has formed a dynamic community of 20,000 technologists from sectors ranging from aerospace to Formula One. These hidden figures are crafting the technologies that will shape the next century. In 2017, when we launched UKBT, our ambition was to set a vision that would outlast us, with a 100-year plan.
Initially, our efforts were concentrated in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) sphere. Exciting as this was, we often found ourselves relegated to discussing our traumas and negative experiences in technology. It appeared that our personal stories were inadvertently overshadowing our technical insights, visions, and contributions to the tech landscape. Our co-founder,
Mark Martin MBE, often questioned, “After we share our pain and frustration, what comes next?” The answer was typically more platforms and acknowledgments of the issues, but with little change in equity, equality, or intellectual diversity and contribution in tech.
Consequently, we shifted our focus. We decided to invest our energy into knowledge transfer, digital transformation, and tackling real-world challenges, moving beyond the conventional DEI narrative.
Our first initiative targeted sickle cell disease—a condition underrepresented in digital and data realms. We convened patients, academics, charities, data scientists, doctors, and university students to harness their collective expertise. This collaboration not only spotlighted the disparities in funding and research compared to diseases prevalent in European populations but also spurred our tech teams to develop workplace tools to aid those suffering from sickle cell disease, benefiting both individuals and their employers.
The feedback from this event was phenomenal and highlighted the profound impact we could achieve in technology, research, and people’s lives.
Inspired, we next supported frontline doctors during the COVID-19 crisis by partnering with PwC, Microsoft, the NHS, and four universities to bolster the health system. The creativity and technical prowess of our UKBT participants led to innovative solutions that seamlessly integrated into existing supply chains.
This experience reinforced our belief that we need not just create cutting-edge technology but rather essential, needs-driven solutions that address global challenges. The participants’ caliber and insights significantly impressed all involved organizations.
Our subsequent report on Smart Cities and Connected Communities brought together diverse voices—including technologists, academics, and residents—to provide insights crucial in the challenging contexts of post-Brexit and post-COVID Britain. This project underlined the importance of community cohesion and socio-economic development, offering unique perspectives shaped by a commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Our latest initiative, “Unleashing Innovators,” is a course designed to help experienced programmers (with two to three years of technical experience) upskill and gain practical experience in developing real-world applications using Streamlit and APIs. During our pilot program, participants created a cost-of-living bot to help individuals reduce their living expenses.
Each of these projects underscores our commitment to creating a space where technologists, academics, innovators, and the community can collaboratively tackle real-world problems. Our unique selling point is our collective insight, vision, voice, talent, and technical ability, which inspired the formation of the UKBlackTech Institute.
With great excitement and pride, we are now thrilled to announce the UKBlackTech Institute. As the first institution of its kind, it aims to foster interdisciplinary research and explore emerging technologies through the lens of Black and Ethnic Minorities. Our mission is to address the significant underrepresentation in critical fields such as the Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Art, Culture, Data Science, and Technology—pivotal areas for tackling the vast challenges of today. By enriching the talent pool, we broaden the range of solutions and research perspectives available.
We Need You! or Recommend Someone Who Fits The Profile!
To realize this vision, we seek to onboard:
- 10 PhD holders or researchers to join the UKBT Institute Board, bringing expertise to guide our research and innovation agenda.
- A Trustee Board of 5 experts, including a distinguished Chair, with deep knowledge and experience in Grant Management, Research, Policy Making, Finance, and the Tech Sector.
This is a call to action for those who share our passion for diversity in innovation and research, who value the incorporation of varied perspectives, and who are committed to making a tangible impact on the technology and research landscape.
To express your interest or to get more information on how you can be a part of this pioneering journey, please email us. info@ukblacktech.com
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