Only %7 of tech talent is Black. If we look at UX (User Experience) talent, that number goes down to 3%. Still, those numbers become harder to accept once we learn that those percentages haven't changed in the last 50 years.

Considering tech's explosive growth in the last decades, the lack of change in the industry's representation can't be fortuitous.

The way our guest, Amber Fields, knew about this data was rather accidental. Still, the ideas she developed and her actions to defy the status quo and disrupt the narrative about inclusion in the tech industry once she got access to this information were very intentional.

Amber Fields is a Researcher, Storyteller, Speaker, DJ, and Founder of Black UX Labs, a coaching and consulting firm for black UX talent. She is passionate about promoting, including, sponsoring, and enticing audacity among Black and Brown talent in the tech industry.

In this episode, Amber kindly describes her path from marketing and advertising to the tech and UX industry. We talk about the alarming disparity in representation in the industry and the C-Suite level of leading corporations. Amber explains the importance of getting more Black feet into the UX industry from an inclusiveness standpoint and a commercial and financial perspective.

We also reflect on the need to create an audacious mindset within the Black and Brown community to face the "caucacity," Amber reveals the only factor capable of affecting and changing the tech and UX industry, and she shares advice for young folk who want to start their careers and aren't sure of where to start from.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Could you give us a little background on UX (user experience)? (2:24)
• Let's talk about the representation in this community, not marketing and advertising, but in the tech community. What can you tell me about that? (6:57)
• We are often afraid when people start talking about leaving the plantation. When you began with Black UX Lab, did you encounter much resistance? Were people suspicious of you? (21:19)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Amber shares her story in marketing and advertising and her original goal of joining that industry (4:54)
• Amber talks about how and why she started connecting with people who looked like her in tech. The birth of the Black Tech Book (9:18)
• Amber shares her realization of the need to hold the budget to generate a substantial impact in the industry (13:07)
• Amber talks about the moment she felt the need to disrupt the industry's narrative and challenge the status quo (15:41)
• Amber explains why inculcating audacity among Black and Brown communities is essential (18:04)
• Amber talks about how she feels she contributes to changing the perception of Blackness in the tech space (28:38)
• Amber unravels the importance of including Black and Brown talent in UX to enhance inclusion but also to generate more revenue (31:04)

Resources:

• Black UX Labs website
• Black UX Labs Instagram

Connect with Amber:

• LinkedIn

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