Closing the Gap for Diverse Women in Tech

CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson recently sat down with Comcast NBCUniversal partner Dwana Franklin-Davis, CEO of Reboot Representation Tech Coalition, to discuss how the Coalition is advancing digital equity by closing the gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women in the tech sector.

As an executive-level member of the Coalition, Comcast NBCUniversal is committed to working collectively with other members to address systemic barriers in the industry. Below are some highlights from the conversation.

Sharon Epperson: “I really would love to know how you advance digital equity in a time when there is so much inequity – forty million people who are underrepresented, often due to systemic challenges, and do not have equal access to technology and technology careers. How do you advance digital equity?”

Dwana Franklin-Davis: “We have a very specific mission, and a very ambitious mission, which is to double the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women graduating with computing degrees by 2025."

“Comcast as an executive partner, as well as our other partners in the coalition, are pooling that money together to invest in programs and initiatives that are going to both recruit and retain women of color into computing degrees and see them through to graduation.”

Sharon Epperson: “How important is it for industries to work together? For companies to work together toward this goal?”

Dwana Franklin-Davis: “It’s extremely important for organizations to work together. With Reboot, all of these companies are able to make more of a systemic change and a greater impact to underfunded, under-resourced programs and initiatives. Also, we're about learning, growing, and sharing together.  We bring these companies together to understand the trends in both what's happening in DE&I as well as corporate social responsibility to better collectively make that impact.”

To learn more about our strategy to create a more diverse pipeline of talent in the tech sector, read our recent blog.

Partnerships with organizations like Reboot Representation are part of Project UP, our comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. Learn more Project Up and our partnership with Reboot Representation.

Reboot Representation is a coalition of leading tech companies working to double the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women receiving computing degrees by 2025. At its inception, only 4% of computing degree graduates were Black, Latina, and Native American women. This portion will not double until 2052 without any intervention. Maintaining the status quo is too costly for the sector and society. For more information on how to join the coalition, support grantees, or to get involved in the fight for equity in tech, visit www.rebootrepresentation.org.