Business
Black technological innovators are banking on a bright future
Mark Zuckerberg has followed in the footsteps of Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs, to marry computers, technology, and entrepreneurship in hothouse environs of Silicon Valley — a rarified atmosphere dominated by White male ivy leaguers and a newer crop of male, Asian and Indian software developers.
But what is the Black tech world’s response; is there a Jackie Robinson ready to recast the scientific mold?
According to Cincinnati-based network systems engineer Greg G. Greenlee, who two years ago founded the Blacks in Technology LLC and website, blacksintechnology.net, that is a resounding yes.
Greenlee’s confidence comes in the wake of the much discussed CNN Black in America 4 documentary, chronicling of the NewMe accelerator program for minority-led tech ventures, co-launched in 2011 by entrepreneur, adviser and technology journalist Wayne Sutton.
NewMe is currently in its second run, this time backed by sponsors including Google, Hewlett-Packard, and venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz. The new batch of seven entrepreneurs was selected from more than 300 applicants.
Greenlee’s site brings Black techies together from all over the country for networking, possible business collaborations, information sharing, and he also puts out podcasts — nearly 30 so far — interviewing leading Black innovators in the field.