Adobe Partners With HBCUs To Promote Diversity In Tech
Software platform Adobe has partnered with HBCUs across the US to provide more Black Americans with the skillsets needed to prevail in the competitive tech industry.
According to a study by Zippia, Black people currently make up 13.6% of the US population but only 7% of the tech industry. Abode’s investments aim to inspire students to express their ideas in a compelling, digital-first world and provide them with critical digital literacy skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce.
“To create products that solve challenging problems for people all over the world, companies need to attract employees with diverse perspectives and the skills required to transform today’s workplace,” said Brian Miller, chief Talent, Diversity, and Inclusion officer at Adobe.
“We are committed to empowering generations of underrepresented minority leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators by advancing equity and opportunity for all. Adobe is proud to partner with leading educational institutions and organizations to democratize digital literacy and creativity for future generations to pursue their career aspirations.”
The collaboration includes two HBCU scholarship programs; the HBCU Ignite Scholarship and a Cybersecurity Internship program.
HBCU Ignite Scholarship
The HBCU Ignite scholarship program will partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Through this scholarship, up to 50 students will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 in financial assistance. The funding will go towards helping the students create innovative solution-based products that solve challenging problems.
The aim of the scholarship will be to provide students who lack access to resources and opportunities with the tools needed to break into the tech industry. By encouraging them to create their own products, students can enhance their digital literacy skills, which will prove to be hugely resourceful in the different sectors they aspire to break into.
HBCU Cybersecurity Internship Program
Additionally, Adobe’s new one-year cybersecurity program will be hosted in partnership with Bowie State University. The course aims to train students in cyber defence by providing them with hands-on cybersecurity experience and critical development skills from Adobe themselves. Through this initiative, students will also have the opportunity to kickstart their own careers in cybersecurity.
As a part of this collaboration, the Adobe Foundation is expanding its partnerships with HBCUs by donating an additional $1 million to Bowie State University, San José State University, and Winston-Salem State University.
Adobe’s additional funding will provide underrepresented students with the necessary training and scholarships to increase their digital literacy and open doors to grow in a competitive industry.
