Tech leaders, learn to avoid ‘tokenism without change’ at this workshop

It’s often thought that the best way to let potential talent know that your company wants to invite diversity is by showing it. But sometimes, pulling a few Black and brown team members for a photo shoot or speaking opportunity just others them.

So, what do we do about this? How do we ensure that a company’s quest to diversify doesn’t become an example of what we call “tokenism without change”? How do we support our Black and brown team members, both current and future, in a real way — not just on a pamphlet, but throughout their careers?

To answer those questions, Technical.ly has invited Techsgiving cofounder Ayo Duyile to advise company leaders through a workshop where we examine this and think through actionable steps that can apply to companies of all sizes.

Lunch and learn with us virtually on Wednesday, June 29, at 12:30 p.m. EST for our workshop, “Tokenism Without Change: The Ethics of Brand Marketing of Company Diversity.” Technology employers will consider how to keep themselves accountable so that stated DEI priorities aren’t just lip service.

Can’t attend but still want to be a part of this? All registrants will get an accompanying worksheet filled with useful information, and a recording of the workshop afterward.

The Most Diverse Tech Hub Initiative is a program created in partnership with the City Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce. Look out for announcements about future events.

Here’s more on our speaker:

Ayodele “Ayo” Duyile’s career in tech began in 2015 after joining Lockheed Martin as a software engineer. Duyile was concurrently working toward a master’s in engineering product management, which he completed in 2017. In 2018, Duyile transitioned into product development at Facebook, where his Oculus team was awarded the first Emmy for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Media. In 2020, Duyile received an offer to join Microsoft as a product manager for the Azure team and head its Atlanta growth. Duyile is now a Google senior technical product manager as well as an adjunct professor at Temple University teaching Intro to Product Management for its master’s students. Both his own company (backdoortech.io) and his nonprofit (Techsgiving.org) help individuals amplify their transferable skills to enhance their ability to break into while product.

This article appears as part of the Most Diverse Tech Hub initiative and is underwritten by the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce. It was independently reported and not reviewed by this partner before publication.