Google's Tech Equity Collective Introduces Free Black Genius Academy App to Foster Black Tech Talent

  • By Kate Lucariello
  • 09/19/23

The Tech Equity Collective (TEC) was started by Google to assist aspiring Black tech talent and innovation. It creates "culturally informed career pathway programs," Google said, and recently announced the Black Genius Academy (BGA) app. This free app helps aspiring Black tech learners by providing resources such as personal guidance to help them locate and enroll in certificate and bootcamp programs with supportive and successful Black tech leaders and educators to guide them in navigating careers in tech.

Information on grant opportunities to help defray the cost of education programs is also available.

The three fastest growing tech fields today are cybersecurity, software engineering, and user experience (UX) design, the company said. Learners can listen to audio interviews with Black leaders in these fields and get help working out a career plan. The five-step process supports learners to:

  • Received a customized career path plan;
  • Obtain a career coach who can help with goals, planning, and making decisions;
  • Become part of a community of Black tech professionals who can support them in their journey;
  • Enroll in tech job training programs; and
  • Participate in workshops and other venues for new tech innovators.

"Every step of the way, I felt guided and empowered to explore, learn, and evolve," said Dawit Ferede, a Black Genius Academy learner. "This unwavering focus on my growth is a testament to the program's dedication to fostering talent and potential."

Go to the Black Genius Academy page to learn more about the app and sign up.

The Tech Equity Collective "partners with the Black community, other tech companies, and organizations to create holistic pathways for the Black tech innovators," the organization said. To learn more, visit the Tech Equity Collective page.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

Featured

  • widescreen computer monitor displaying an AI-powered search engine interface with a search bar and futuristic icons

    Google, Microsoft Expand AI-Driven Search Capabilities

    Recent announcements from Google and Microsoft highlight a slough of AI capabilities for their search tools.

  • glowing shield with a lock symbol at its center, surrounded by stylized outlines of books, a graduation cap, and a laptop

    Why the Education Sector Needs to Get Better at Cyber Hygiene

    Despite the wealth of publicly available information about cyber attacks and the tactics used by malicious actors, many institutions appear unprepared to protect their students, faculty, and endowments from cyber threats.

  • illustration of a futuristic building labeled "AI & Innovation," featuring circuit board patterns and an AI brain motif, surrounded by geometric trees and a simplified sky

    Cal Poly Pomona Launches AI and Innovation Center

    In an effort to advance AI innovation, foster community engagement, and prepare students for careers in STEM fields and business, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has teamed up with AI, cloud, and advisory services provider Avanade to launch a new Avanade AI & Innovation Center.

  • glowing brain, connected circuits, and abstract representations of a book and graduation cap on a light gray gradient background

    Snowflake Launches Program to Upskill 100,000 People in Data and AI

    Cloud data platform Snowflake is embarking on an effort to train and certify more than 100,000 users on its AI Data Cloud by 2027. The One Million Minds + One Platform program will provide Snowflake-delivered courses, training materials, and free access to Snowflake software, at no cost to learners.