To provide a space for Black talent in tech, OneTen — a group of industry executives aiming to hire and build Black individuals to create an equitable and inclusive workforce — has launched its inaugural scholarship program to provide support for over 3,500 students over the next two years, a press release states.

The program was created to spearhead underserved Black talent toward the tech industry — with a focus on four core tech competencies: digital marketing, business analytics, front end developer, and predictive analytics — despite not acquiring four-year degrees.

“By investing in talent transformation, we can help remove the barriers to diversity in tech. By providing access to resources that are designed to nurture and develop people’s skills, we can help get more Black talent into the technology space,” Dennis Schultz, Executive Director of the BIT Foundation, said in a press release.

As a contribution toward OneTen’s commitment, Udacity and Blacks In Technology will lend a hand to support the initiative. Udacity will offer recipients the opportunity to partake in a flexible online program to allow them to pursue a full-time position or continue their educational pursuits. Also, Blacks In Technology will amplify students’ efforts by providing them with networking, mentorship, tutoring sessions and support services. As AfroTech previously reported, Blacks In Technology also partnered with Apprenti — a domestic leader in producing tech apprenticeship programs — to diversity the tech industry through intentional recruitment and retention efforts.

”Providing access and support to Black talent who have traditionally been excluded from attaining family-sustaining jobs due to degree requirements is central to OneTen’s mission and we are thrilled to be partnering with Udacity and BIT to fund over 3,000 scholarships for tech programs,” Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen, said in a press release. “This is an important step in getting Black talent access to the skills they need to position them for success with prospective employers in the tech industry.”

The program is a part of OneTen’s mission to endorse Black talent over the next ten years.

The scholarship is currently open to interested students and industry professionals located in the United States.

To apply visit: https://www.udacity.com/scholarships/oneten-bit-scholarship

Maurice Jones

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