January 17, 2023

Black Professionals In Tech Open Nominations For Their Inaugural Tech Awards

Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) has officially opened nominations for its tech industry awards ceremony. 

Financial services provider BMO will host this year’s event to celebrate the influential and innovative work of Black professionals in the industry. 

Despite this initiative being the first of its kind, this isn’t the first time BPTN has opened doors for Black professionals. Earlier this year, founder, Lekan Olawoye announced the launch of the Obsidi platform, a conduit to opportunities for black professionals.

“We know that Black professionals and Black-led organizations are crushing it both in the workforce and business. [So] now we’re providing them with a platform to cement their legacies in history and reaffirm what we’ve always known,” said Lekan Olawoye, CEO and founder of BPTN.  

Black Professionals in Tech network (BPTN) conference in Canada

The awards ceremony, set to take place on June 21st, will honor Black professionals in ten categories. These categories include; Black Tech Executive of the Year, Black Designer of the Year, Black Venture Capital Firm of the Year, and Black Product Innovator of the Year, among others. 

“Obsidi By BPTN Awards, presented by BMO, is a game-changing initiative. So get ready to be inspired and amazed by all the exceptional achievements within North America’s Black tech ecosystem.” 

The initiative is the first to give Black professionals the flowers they deserve. According to reports, Black people make up a mere 7% of those who work in high-tech. This statistic further proves the importance of ensuring the inspiring work of Black people in the industry does not go unnoticed. 

Nominations are currently open until January 20th, and the winners will officially be announced on February 15th. So, get to voting! 

Kumba Kpakima

Kumba Kpakima is a reporter at POCIT. A documentary about the knife crime epidemic in the UK got her a nomination for the UK's #30toWatch Young Journalists of the Year.