World Telecommunication and Information Society Day has been celebrated every year since 1969. May 17th was chosen in November 2006 to commemorate the first Telegraph convention in 1865. This international day of acknowledgment was created to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the internet and the information communication technology field can bring to societies and economies.

Technology in this day and age is essential, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything from school, work, exercise classes, and more moved to online platforms. While the world essentially runs on technology and continues to grow, the ICT field is still remarkably White. Although approximately 60% of the US population is White and 13% is Black, the ICT field numbers come out to about 68% White and only 7% Black. Therefore, we are highlighting 5 Black leaders in the realm of ICT:

Ime Archibong: Archibong is in charge of Facebook's music and video strategy.

 

Kimberly Bryant: In 2011, Bryant founded the nonprofit organization called Black Girls CODE, an organization that empowers girls of color to enter technology fields.

 

Malik Ducard: Ducard is responsible for developing partnerships between YouTube and film, TV, and new media companies.

 

 Kathryn Finney: Finney is known for her work in creating digitialundivided, or DID, in 2012. DID is a social startup with a vision of creating “a world where women own their work.”

 Jessica Matthews: Jessica Matthews co-founded Uncharted Power, a global company that specializes in building and operating renewable power infrastructure in order to create smart cities, which they believe is a human right.

Sources:

Computer World

Business Insider

Best Companies

 Kassidy Garland has had a great appreciation for reading and writing since she was young. She graduated from West Chester University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English & Women and Gender Studies. With a concentration in creative writing, Kassidy has 5 years of experience writing blogs, articles, and for social media. Based out of Philadelphia, Kassidy loves to write about a number of topics and looks forward to sharing her passion with those at FunTimes Magazine. 

Read more from Kassidy Garland:

International Girls in ICT Day: 5 Women Who Paved The Way

International Day of Women and Girls In Science: Katherine Johnson

Workforce Solutions: Supplying Its Students With More Than Just an Education