Why Adobe is partnering with HBCUs to expand diversity in tech.

According to a recent study by career-focused organization Zippia, African Americans make up 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, but hold only 7 percent of tech jobs. To counter this trend, Adobe is working with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to provide African Americans with equitable access to digital technology and creative skills. The company’s mission is to provide students with learning and career opportunities through mentorship, resources and financial support, to expose students to careers in technology and prepare them to achieve their career goals. Two of the most exciting parts of Adobe’s investment in HBCUs include the HBCU Ignite Scholarship and the Cybersecurity Internship Program.

In partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Adobe’s HBCU Ignite Scholarship is awarding up to $15,000 each to 50 deserving students attending HBCUs to ignite innovation and create products that solve challenging problems. The scholarship program addresses the inequitable representation, and lack of access to opportunities and tools that build critical skills in digital literacy.

Scholarship eligibility requirements include enrollment as an undergraduate student in a designated major at an HBCU, achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, submission of the FAFSA, financial need, and being a US citizen or legal permanent resident. Applicants must submit an essay that describes how they have used innovation and creativity to shape their community. This year’s HBCU Ignite Scholars represent more than 20 HBCUs, including Alabama A&M University, Bowie State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T State University, Southern University and A&M College, Texas Southern. University, Virginia State University, and others.

TMCF President Harry L. This is an important opportunity for Adobe to help HBCU students showcase their passion and talent while enhancing their creative and digital literacy skills to help close the gap and address inequitable representation in education.

Established in 1987, TMCF has decades of experience supporting and empowering HBCUs and their student bodies. And, of note, 44% of TMCF member schools’ students major in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Adobe sees TMCF as the right partner for the tech company to expose African Americans to jobs in the tech industry. Brian Miller, Chief Talent, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Adobe shared, “We are committed to empowering underrepresented minority leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators by increasing equity and opportunity through creative literacy and digital skills and experiences to prepare the next generation. Human Resource Talent”.

Despite accounting for 7 percent of tech jobs nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that fewer than 3 percent of cybersecurity professionals are African American. Adobe is focused on changing this percentage. In partnership with Bowie State University, an HBCU in Maryland named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber ​​Defense Education, Adobe’s new Cyber ​​Security Internship Program improves cybersecurity training to protect information resources. Beginning in 2023, a one-year internship program will provide students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity and professional development from Adobe. Students get help starting their careers in cybersecurity.

“Adobe’s partnership and generous funding will enable us to provide more digital literacy to diverse students in information science and analytics, cybersecurity and digital literacy,” said Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaks. Media programs while pursuing professional creative and technology-oriented careers. Adobe’s contribution supports student scholarships and campus facilities, student and faculty research, and professional development. These grants will help Bowie students enter the workforce with digital skills that will put them ahead of the curve.

According to Adobe Miller, “As part of our vision to foster ‘innovation for all,’ Adobe is committed to addressing educational inequities — some exacerbated by global pandemics — that result in disproportionate outcomes for students from underinvested communities. Creative and digital literacy skills can transform students’ success in the classroom, their communities, and today’s workforce. He added: “We believe that innovation powers change and that diverse voices are needed to address the challenges of a changing world.

In the year In 2020, Adobe launched the Taking Action Initiative, a company-wide effort to accelerate the representation, development and success of Adobe’s Black community to impact the broad spectrum of social and economic inequity. This initiative has helped the company develop a unique initiative to bring together partners from across the company and the entire community. Overall, the Adobe HBCU strategy focuses on four key areas of programs designed to support success in student and alumni outcomes – community engagement, learning and training, advocacy and outreach, and employment and career development. The company aims to expand the program to support other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the future.