Amplifying the Voice of Blacks in Computing

This workshop is designed to intentionally share experiences and connect participants to their greatest asset, their voice. There is power in your voice. Engaging interaction, thought-provoking storytelling, and authentic truth telling will open the way for understanding the value of harnessing voice power when navigating professionally and personally. Despite diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, stated commitments to diversity, the demographic characteristics of the professoriate and industry look remarkably like the faculty and professionals of 50 years ago for Blacks in computing. Blacks in computing constantly face discrimination in the form of microaggressions and white fragility. This discrimination has not translated to greater Black faculty and professional representation in their career advancement. Instead, the health of both faculty and professionals are being adversely impacted, as they are experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and physical exhaustion. This disruption of norms has a negatively impacted the productivity of both Black men and women at work and can lead to their demotion and dismissal. Many times, these struggles are not shared, and their voices are silenced. This workshop primarily addresses how Blacks in computing can use their voice to advance their careers and utilize proven voice positioning strategies to harness their voice power and to maximize professional and personal wellbeing. These voice strategies will facilitate both Black men and women in their career advancement, skill development, and preparation for entry into their next career level. A failure to address these challenges has negative implications for both academia and industry