Google’s commitment to supporting the Black community will extend well beyond YouTube’s $100 million funds. Google and Alphabet chief Sundar Pichai has unveiled a racial equity initiative that, among other things, will contribute a total of $175 million toward creating economic opportunities for Black businesses and workers.
Most, $100 million, will go toward funding participation for Black-led capital firms, startups, and entrepreneurial organizations. Another $50 million will go to financing and grants for small businesses thanks to helping from the Opportunity Finance Network. The company will also devote $15 million to worker training through allies like the National Urban League, and at least $10 million to improve access to “education, equipment, and economic opportunities” for developers.
The internet giant is also promising $3 million to address gaps in computer science and STEM education. It’s widening an awards program to 16 more universities to tackle gaps in computer science research, and bolstering representation in AI with $250,000 toward Black in AI.
Representation within Google will matter as well. It’s aiming to increase Black representation at senior levels by opening senior positions to outside candidates and investing in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and London. It’s aiming for underrepresented groups to make up 30 percent of leadership by 2025. Google is setting up a talent liaison to mentor and advocate staff from underrepresented groups regardless of level and will launch a task force to generate “concrete” solutions for accountability in areas like hiring, performance management, and retention. That group should have its first proposals in 90 days, Pichai said.
There will also be anti-racism and health programs, as well as broader attempts to boost inclusion and belonging.
The efforts could go some distance toward improving Black access to Google and the tech industry and appears to do more than provide lip service to racial equity. With that said, Google has struggled to improve its diversity in the past — money, and programs can help, but they’re no guarantee that Google’s cultural demographics will change.
Google says it will hire more black workers at senior levels, setting a goal of filling at least 30% of leadership roles with employees from underrepresented groups by 2025.— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) June 18, 2020
It also pledged $175 million to support black entrepreneurs. More @business: https://t.co/xKPGKaVJB2 pic.twitter.com/xG1InLC33H