Juneteenth is a powerful symbol of delayed justice, and in the modern world, it reflects how equity in tech remains a goal rather than a given. While the government promised freedom in 1863, it took until 1865 for many enslaved people to know about this change.
Similarly, many professionals from marginalized groups today are not experiencing the promises of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities in the technology industry.
What is equity in tech? It’s the principle that all individuals, regardless of race, gender, disability, or socioeconomic status, should have equal access to:
- Opportunities
- Resources
- Advancement within the tech industry.
Equity goes beyond equality—it involves recognizing barriers that certain groups face and actively working to remove them. The movement for equity in tech aims to challenge the status quo and create positive social impact by promoting diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility throughout the industry.
Juneteenth is more than a commemoration—it’s a challenge to us all.
How can tech companies, educators, and professionals contribute to workplace equity and provide opportunities for all? This article examines the current challenges, root causes, and, most importantly, the solutions.
Why Juneteenth Matters to Tech Today
What does Juneteenth have to do with the tech industry? Everything. The legacy of delayed justice parallels the ongoing delays in achieving equity in tech. Despite the technology industry’s rapid growth and promise of innovation, it still struggles to provide equal access and representation to all.
In this context, Juneteenth becomes a symbol not just of freedom, but of the long road to true equity. It urges tech companies and leaders to reflect on the root causes of inequality and actively work toward creating solutions. Diverse teams, inclusive policies, and accessible education are not just ideal—they are essential.
The importance of this moment is amplified by the following:
- The rise of artificial intelligence
- The prevalence of remote work
- The increasing influence of tech in daily life.
If the goal is to build tools and systems that benefit society, the workforce behind those tools must reflect the diversity of the world they serve.
This need for equity extends beyond the groups already mentioned—many others in various professions and organizations experience the impact of these issues in tech.
Promoting equity in the tech industry isn’t charity—it’s a strategic approach.
It’s about ensuring that all professionals, regardless of background, gender gap, disabilities, or socioeconomic status, have the same level of opportunity for success, collaboration, and professional growth.
To deepen your understanding of this connection, consider reading:
- Technically Wrong by Sara Wachter-Boettcher
- Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin
- Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Umoja Noble
A Brief History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865—the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free. The news of freedom came over two years after the government had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
That delay illustrates how justice, even when declared, can take years to manifest for certain groups.
Today, Juneteenth serves as both a celebration and a call to action. It’s a reminder that structural inequalities persist, and we must remain vigilant in advocating for equal access, representation, and advancement across all industries, particularly in tech.
The Equity Gap and Digital Divide in Tech: Where We Stand
Despite years of diversity initiatives, the technology industry continues to struggle with workplace equity. Many company practices and efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have not yet closed the gap.
According to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), Black workers make up only 7.4% of the tech workforce, compared to 13% of the general U.S. workforce.
In leadership roles, those numbers shrink even further.
The equity gap isn’t just about hiring—it affects:
- Pay equity
- Promotion
- Mentorship
- Professional development.
A 2022 Built In report found that Black tech workers earn $10,000 to $20,000 less per year than their white peers in similar roles. The gender gap and lack of inclusion for people with disabilities and other marginalized identities further highlight systemic flaws.
Barriers include:
- Limited access to affordable education and training
- Hiring practices that favor elite degrees and insider networks
- Lack of mentorship and sponsorship for career growth
- Biased performance evaluations and advancement criteria
Longstanding systems and practices created many of these barriers, but new DEI initiatives have also created opportunities for positive change.
These challenges are not coincidental—they are rooted in historical inequality and require intentional strategies to dismantle.
Why Workplace Equity in IT Truly Matters
The IT field is more than just a high-paying career path—it’s a gateway to innovation, influence, and impact. Tech jobs affect nearly every other industry, from healthcare to education to government. When tech companies exclude underrepresented groups, we all miss out on the talent and insight they bring.
Equity in IT expands economic opportunities, improves team collaboration, and drives innovation by incorporating diverse perspectives. Leveraging emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and assistive devices, is essential for promoting equity and accessibility in IT.
Recognizing and utilizing individual talents is also crucial for building diverse, capable teams that drive success. Equal access to tech jobs helps close racial wealth gaps and provides communities with tools to create their futures.
Workplace equity initiatives that focus on:
- Removing unnecessary degree requirements
- Creating mentorship and sponsorship systems
- Supporting career changers through flexible programs
- Tracking and publishing diversity data are all part of building a truly inclusive and effective workforce.
Pay Equity in the Tech Industry
Pay equity remains a pressing issue in the tech industry, with many tech companies still working to close the gap. Despite progress, recent studies show that women in tech jobs earn about 94% of what their male counterparts make, and the disparity is even greater for underrepresented groups.
Black and Hispanic women, for example, can face pay gaps of up to 20% compared to white men in similar roles. These inequities are not just numbers—they reflect deeper systemic barriers that limit economic opportunities and professional growth for many talented individuals.
For the technology industry to thrive, tech companies must prioritize pay equity and ensure that all employees, regardless of socioeconomic status or background, have access to the same level of opportunity and compensation.
Addressing pay equity is essential for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, which in turn drives innovation, attracts top talent, and supports long-term business success.
By committing to transparent pay practices and regular audits, companies can create an environment where every employee feels valued and supported, helping the entire industry move forward.
The Impact of Remote Work on Equity
The rise of remote work has transformed the tech industry, offering employees greater flexibility and the ability to balance work and life in new ways. Many tech companies have embraced remote work to attract and retain top talent, but this shift also brings unique challenges for promoting equity.
Remote workers may find it more challenging to access networking opportunities, participate in training, or advance their careers, which can widen existing gaps for certain groups.
To ensure that remote work benefits everyone, tech companies must actively work to provide equal access to resources and opportunities.
This equal opportunity means implementing strategies such as:
- Virtual training programs
- Online networking events
- Digital tools that foster communication and collaboration among distributed teams.
By addressing these challenges head-on, companies can create a more inclusive and equitable remote work environment—one where all employees, regardless of location, can contribute, grow, and succeed in the tech industry.
What Real Action Looks Like
To honor Juneteenth and promote lasting change, tech companies must do more than make statements. They must act.
Strategic partners and partnerships play a crucial role in driving real action for equity in tech, enabling organizations to collaborate, share expertise, and amplify their impact.
Leadership from a co-founder can also inspire and guide these efforts, setting the tone for meaningful progress.
Here’s what that equity-enhancing action looks like:
1. Invest in Training Programs
Support programs assist career changers from underrepresented groups.
This support includes mentorship, coaching, and job placement. Take a look at Yellow Tail Tech’s DevOps on AWS Track for upskilling.
2. Remove Degree Barriers
Offer alternative paths that focus on certifications and practical experience. Promote internal mobility for employees seeking to upskill and advance their careers.
3. Celebrate Juneteenth With Purpose
Use the occasion to highlight equity goals, feature voices from marginalized groups, and reinvest in community efforts.
4. Hold Leadership Accountable
Tie executive performance to measurable DEI outcomes. Share data transparently.
5. Build Belonging Year-Round
Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), provide wellness benefits, and establish safe feedback systems to ensure ongoing collaboration and success.
Explore Jobs by Yellow Tail Tech to see how you can break into tech without a four-year degree.
Yellow Tail Tech: Practicing Equity Every Day
At Yellow Tail Tech, equity isn’t just a value—we built it into the company’s DNA.
Our company creates accessible pathways into the IT industry for career changers from underrepresented communities, focusing on practical training, mentorship, and guaranteed job placement support.
We honor Juneteenth not just with words, but through real, measurable action: building tech talent pipelines for Black, Hispanic, and underserved learners; offering programs that don’t require a four-year degree; and making space for celebration and reflection on historic milestones like Juneteenth.
Explore Yellow Tail Tech to see how you can break into tech without a four-year degree and become part of a company committed to equity in action.
A Call to Build Equity Into the Standard
As we commemorate Juneteenth, we must do more than reflect; we must act.
Equity in tech is not a one-time goal—it is a continuous, collective commitment.
With the rise of AI, remote work, and global collaboration, the decisions we make today shape the future of technology and society.
Let’s aim for a world where inclusion is a given, where every talented individual has the tools and opportunities to thrive, and where diverse teams lead the way in building technology that serves all of us. Leading organizations and teams are setting new standards in equity in tech, inspiring others to follow their example.
To make a lasting impact, it’s essential to stay up to date with the latest trends and data in workplace equity so you can be part of the ongoing progress. Book a 10-minute intro call with Yellow Tail Tech and see how we’re building equity in action—one learner at a time.
