Our Take On Diversity In The Startup Space
Nowadays, everyone’s talking about diversity. From uncomfortable conversations within homes to nationwide discussions on the streets, we’re all trying to be a bit more cognizant of our identities and how they impact nearly every aspect of our lives including the fateful job application. We interviewed one of our Venture members, Andrés Ramírez Galeano, who identifies with the minority groups LGBTQ and Latino, to help us reflect on how the startup space impacts people of color.
One of the first things Andrés mentioned is how “a lot of the startup space is just knowing how to navigate the system.” Figuring out who to email for a coffee chat, how to format the spacing of a resume, what to prep for your technical interview — the million things everyone obsesses over after submitting a job application. Starting early and having a strong grasp of the recruiting network is immensely helpful for getting that interview you’ve been dreaming of. But different socioeconomic backgrounds carry entirely new perspectives.
“We have to accept that minority groups who come from tougher socioeconomic backgrounds don’t always have the same capabilities as others. It isn’t that they don’t have the same creativity, but rather that they just have tougher responsibilities that they have to take care of before exploring that creativity” (Galeano). Historically, Latino and black individuals have been associated with lower socioeconomic backgrounds, often being the first in their households to attend college and higher education. They don’t leave their backgrounds behind though — they carry the responsibility of needing to support their families and loved ones along with them. If we view the professional world as a race track with all of us on the starting line, some people are forced to turn back for those on the sidelines.
Discussing these issues isn’t enough though — it’s far past time for us to take action. There do exist programs for underrepresented communities, such as leadership forums or specialized diversity roles in consulting and tech companies, but many people don’t know how to access or navigate these opportunities. For those fortunate enough to have access to professional resources that allow them to excel, our responsibility is to guide and support these communities by exposing them to these opportunities and inviting them into their networks. For companies moving towards affirmative action, they need to reaffirm their commitment to diversity and inclusion in an actionable manner — not just move along the trends circulating in society. And for you and me, we need to remember that not everyone has the same story. That doesn’t mean we can’t help everyone out. It just means we have to listen a little closer.
