June celebrates Pride Month, recognizing the impact that LGBTQIA+ individuals have on our society. While celebrations have taken a different form this year, there are still many ways to commemorate Pride. For us, we took some time to talk to Tasha Scott, a diversity and inclusion professional and member of Code with Pride, on her experience in the tech community and how we can make it a more welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
About Tasha Scott
Tasha Scott is a human resource professional seeking to improve diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. She is particularly interested in enlightening the local St. Louis area with her membership in the Code with Pride group. Tasha spoke at the CWP Panel: Envisioning the Future of LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Tech Workplaces event last Fall. She identifies as an African American bisexual female.
Q&A
1. What is your current position and where?
I am professional in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space. I have had the opportunity to use my knowledge and expertise in various industries including technology.
2. What inspired you to work in the tech industry?
There is a huge need for more diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. I did not aspire to get into the technology industry; rather I found that because the need for diversity is vast in this space that there was an opportunity to help shift behaviors and identify and hire more people that were diverse. And by doing this, I found I absolutely loved the industry.
3. What do you love about working in the tech industry?
I love the variety of skillset that people have in technology. There is a lot of diversity in a person’s knowledge and expertise in tech and then also understanding how each person’s role supports a critical piece of the business is very interesting.
4. What advice do you have for being a better ally to the LGBTQIA+ community in tech?
Advice I would give for being a better LGBTQIA+ ally would be to help create a safe place for someone that identifies in the LGBTQIA+ community by listening and learning about those that are different than you. Speak up for LGBTQIA+ discrimination if you see it happening. Minimize negative groupthink. Openly support workplace diversity. Vote for laws that support equality for everyone not just the majority – although this is on a larger scale, the outcomes of how we vote shape our day to day.
Code with Pride
Code with Pride is an affinity group that provides a safe, inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ members and allies in the tech industry. Learn more about Code with Pride in the link below, and connect with Tasha Scott at their bi-monthly meetings.
1904labs is proud to be a 2020 Code with Pride sponsor. Learn more about 1904lab’s involvement in Code with Pride and how we ally ourselves with the LGBTQIA+ community.
