On June 6, 2024, we hosted our "Be The Change" Consortium event at Amazon in Cambridge, focusing on the theme: "Progression - Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling." As the UK aspires to become a global leader in innovation by 2035, addressing the skills gap and cultivating a culture that values diverse, highly functioning teams has become paramount. However, Black professionals continue to face significant barriers in advancing to senior roles within the STEM sectors. This event brought together industry leaders, DEI experts, and Black professionals to examine these systemic challenges and explore actionable steps to support career progression.

The discussion focused on creating pathways for Black talent to thrive and advance, bridging skills gaps, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Informed by insights from the 2023 McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, which found that 83% of Black tech employees view advancement opportunities as essential for career growth, the event tackled the pressing question: How can we make meaningful progress in closing the ethnicity gap in leadership?

Key Speakers

The keynote address was provided by Scarlett Lily Allen-Horton – Founding Director, Harper Fox Partners and BBC Apprentice Finalist joined by speakers from Amazon Web Services, The Parker Review, PwC, University of Bedford, Codex, amongst others

They addressed the following topics:

● Creating Inclusive Boards: Insights from the Parker Report on the impact of board diversity on organizational change.

● Progression Journeys: Personal stories and career progression strategies.

● The Ethnicity Pay Gap: Understanding disparities and identifying ways to promote pay equity.

● Interactive ED&I Workshop with Lego Serious Play: A hands-on activity that allowed participants to explore identity and the role of diversity in the workplace through creative, interactive play.

Key Takeaways

The event concluded with an outline of actionable steps and commitments to create workplaces where Black professionals are not only represented but are empowered to lead and grow. Some of the major takeaways included:

● Accountability and Action: Real progress is built on holding organizations accountable for their DEI promises.

● Psychological Safety: Establishing environments where challenging the norm and fostering innovation are encouraged.

● Cultural Add over Cultural Fit: Focusing on what unique qualities each individual can add, rather than expecting conformity.

● Data-Driven DEI Initiatives: Using data to guide DEI efforts ensures measurable outcomes and focused improvements.

Call to Action

This event underscored BTLS’s dedication to bridging the skills gap and creating equitable career pathways for Black professionals in STEM. Join us in our mission to build a future where diverse talent is recognized, nurtured, and advanced at every level.