Attend ‘Diversitech’ to take part in a great big conversation about diversity in tech

Despite increased attention for the underrepresentation of minorities in the tech world (especially in leadership positions), it’s still not easy being a person of color at a tech company.
But, just maybe, sharing stories and advice can make it better.
This is precisely what DMV Startup and its event partners — DCMedia Innovations and the Washington Post — hope to do with “Diversitech.” The upcoming event will bring together a culturally diverse panel of D.C. techies to “share their experiences, dilemmas, awkward moments, successes, and advice on navigating through this industry as a minority.”

Mark your calendars for April 20th. #Diversitech is going down. Brought to you by @DMVStartup & @dcmediainnov 😁🔥https://t.co/i2VaQdwWlW

— DMV Startup (@DmvStartup) March 29, 2016

As of writing, the panel includes Sibyl Edwards, a freelance digital art director who was recently named one of DCFemTech’s Powerful Women Designers, Tim Wong from the Post, Phone2Action cofounder Ximena Hartsock and UX designer Glennette Clark.
Some questions the panel organizers hope will be addressed:

• What can you do to stand up for yourself or others in uncomfortable situations?
• What can we or employers do to influence our own environments and make diversity not an elephant in the room?

DMV Startup cofounder Brandon Luong told Technical.ly he’s hoping the event will be full of “real talk on what it is like to be a person of color in the DC tech area, and actionable steps on how to gain a larger voice in the meetings.”
As for who he is hoping will be in the room, Luong says he’d like the crowd to include “techies who are of color, upper management, and techies who aren’t people of color so they get a better grasp on the struggle.”
You’re invited.