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While we already have a thread on GIRLS in STEM I wanted to open an area to talk about diversity more broadly. I work at a "minority" serving institution (in Texas this is a bit of a misnomer as we are a majority minority State). Nonetheless there is a need to enfranchise under-served populations in STEM Representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are this week to talk about African Americans in the tech world. http://www.npr.org/2013/10/28/241385367/african-americans-in-tech-how-to-get-a-black-steve-jobs

How One Man Is Tackling Tech's Diversity Problem Tristan Walker, former VP of business development at Foursquare, knows exactly what it takes to reach the top of the tech industry among a crowd that is significantly skewed toward white males. In 2012, Walker left Foursquare to become an "Entrepreneur in Residence" at Andreessen Horowitz, and while he works on his new, yet-undisclosed venture, he is paying it forward with his fellowship program CODE2040, which helps young black and Latino engineers get their foot in the door in Silicon Valley. http://mashable.com/2013/10/22/tristan-walker-tech-diversity/

There aren't enough young, black males in tech. All Star Code is trying to fix that through an intensive summer camp that preps black high school students for high-growth tech jobs http://www.fastcompany.com/3018699/how-all-star-code-is-getting-more-young-black-males-into-tech

Why So Few? African American Women in STEM - Part II: By the Numbers http://www.scientistafoundation.com/43/post/2013/05/why-so-few-african-american-women-in-stem-part-ii-by-the-numbers.html

I totally agree with you comment, as you said there are not enough black in tech. while it is sad fact to admit it is true. Unfortunately, this crisis spreads right across the entire country. Black students need to be motivated to be a part of tech programmes as it will help them to emerge out of poverty as they enter adulthood. But Pamela, this effort has to begin from an early stage (like from kindergarten). Many black schools don’t offer any opportunity for students to expand their minds in the technology. This is mainly because these schools are in poor communities, therefore not many programs are offered there. That, I think is the problem.

African American Chemist Gregory H Robinson Imagine creating something completely new — something improbable and provocative that has never existed on Earth before. This kind of unconventional science is the focus of Gregory H. Robinson, Ph.D., winner of the 2013 F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry. The Cotton Award recognizes Robinson's success harnessing finicky, unstable elements. Produced by the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society Video by XiaoZhi Lim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESv9QTlJSBk

Lorette, The data shows that young Black men are a bit MORE interested in math and science than their piers on other ethnic background. This makes the current state of affairs even more tragic. Rather it would seem that a long progression of micro-aggressions have discouraged them. Yes you are correct we MUST do better in providing equal access This sums it all up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inz1sdhsMCU

Equal access is soooo important. It must indeed begin at an early age. Opportunities are opening up in poor communities. The real problem is that the intent is and has not been there. There is no real intention to provide these life changing opportunities to everyone. Perpetuating that preverbal boogie man (from minority groups)is still too very real. View this based on real-life movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAvjWKJreJM (Man of Honor with Cuba Gooding Jr.). Though it is based on a generation ago, it will help you to understand the day to day pressures that teachers meet when dealing with children from home with this as their reality. Contact resource persons in the field of science if you want to bring it alive for these students.