PATHWAYS TO

INCLUSION

Expanding the District of Columbias

Tech and Innovation Ecosystem

WHATDOESTECHINCLUSIONMEAN?
Inclusionisaboutfillingthe
gapsinthepipeline

Environmentforeveryone
tothrive

Equitableaccesstolearning
opportunitiesintech

Accessibilityacrossforallstudentsandcommunity:subgroups
(underrepresentedyouth,publicandspecialeducation,etc.)

Creatingasafespace...forpeopleof
allwalksoflife...thereareothers
willingadvocateforthem
EveryDCstudenthastheopportunitytopreparefor
STEMcareerswithhighqualityeducation
Theabilityforcommunities,
regardlessofanyprevious
barriers,tohaveequalaccesstofull
participationintecheconomy

Techinclusionisnot
havingtotalkabouttechinclusion

Accesstothesamequalityofopportunities,
funding,resources,talentforall

2DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

DEARDISTRICTRESIDENTS,
Aswemovethroughthe21stcentury,citiesacrossthecountryare
lookingforinclusiveandinnovativewaystogrowtheireconomies,create
jobs,andtacklesomeofthebiggestchallengesfacingresidents.
Washington,DCisforginganewpathtowardaninclusiveeconomy,one
thatsupportsourthrivingtechandinnovationecosysteminawaythat
createsequitableopportunitiesforresidentsinalleightwards.Givenour
diversity,IfirmlybelieveDCisuniquelypositionedtobeanationalmodel
fortechinclusionandentrepreneurship.
Wehavemadegreatprogress,butthereisstillmuchworktodoto
ensureourtechcommunityreachesitsfullpotential.Today,Iam
pleasedtopresentPathwaystoInclusion,astudythatoersthe
currentstateofinclusioninourtecheconomy,andalsohighlightsthe
barriersunderrepresentedcommunitiesfaceuponenteringanindustry
thatisvitaltoourinnovativegrowth.
Whilemanycitiesaroundtheworldarethrivingintech,Washington,DC
isoneofthefirstmajorjurisdictionstostudyinclusiveinnovationin
depth,withthreegoalsinmind:First,wewillexpandthecapacityofDC
residentstoengageinthetecheconomybycreating5,000newtechjobs
forunderrepresentedworkers.Second,wewillgrowourtecheconomy
bycreating500newtechbusinessesfoundedbyunderrepresented
entrepreneurs.Third,buildingonourcitysdiversity,wewillestablish
themostinclusivecultureamongtechecosystemsontheEastCoast.
WorkingincollaborationwiththeDCInnovation&TechnologyInclusion
Council,ourhopeistobecomethenationspremierinclusivetechhub,
creatingnewopportunitiesthatallowDCsentrepreneurstoflourishand
oeringactionablestepstowardexpandingourtecheconomyinaway
thatbenefitseveryone.
Iwanttothankourlocaltechindustry,nonprofits,governmentleaders,
andresidentswhosharedtheirexpertiseandcreativeideasforthis
study.Together,wewillusePathwaystoInclusionasatooltohelp
transformWashington,DCintoamoreinclusive,innovative,and
equitablecity.

MURIELBOWSER
MAYOR

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY3

DEARFELLOWWASHINGTONIANS,
OnbehalfoftheInnovation&TechnologyInclusionCouncil,Iampleased
andhonoredtoendorsePathwaystoInclusion,animportantand
impactfulsteptowardhelpingtheDistrictofColumbiabecomethe
premiercitynationallyandgloballyforaninclusivetecheconomy.I
alsotakethismomenttoapplaudtheleadershipanddeterminationof
MayorBowserandherteamwhoareworkingtotranslatevisioninto
action.
Thislivingdocumentaddresseswherewearetodaybytakingstockofthe
realitiesofparticipationandproductioninavarietyofplacesandis
transparentaboutpresentingthosefacts.Pathwaysalsoservesasa
baselineforbenchmarkingandcreatingperformancemeasurements,
articulatesgoals,anddefinesastrategyforsuccess.Ultimately,thisintegratedfourprongedstrategy
providesanopportunitytogivetheDistricttheassetsitneedstoachieveitsvision.Italsostrikesan
importantbalancebetweenresidentsandinfrastructure,highlightingtheneedsandpotentialofpeople,
firstandforemost.
Whilethisreportisasimportantfirststep,thereismuchworktobedoneandweembracethechallenge
withbothrealismandaspiration.Inthemonthsahead,weareconfidentthatDCsbroadanddiverse
communitywillcometogethertoestablishatruepathwayfortheDistrictofColumbiatoparticipate,and
ultimatelythrive,inourvibranttechnologyandinclusiveinnovationeconomy.

Sincerely,

REYRAMSEY
CHAIR,INNOVATION TECHNOLOGYINCLUSIONCOUNCIL

Members of the Mayors Innovation and Technology Inclusion Council

ReyRamsey
(Chair)

BrianKenner

PhilippeChetrit

WayneCurtis

TravisDougherty

KenEisner

KateGoodall

CoreyGrin

BarronHarvey

JoycelynJames

LisaJonesJohnson

CaesarLayton

YoshiMaisami

4DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

CarlosMartindelCampo

HannahERho

AdamRubinson

ThomasSanchez

AaronSaunders

DelanoSquires

KenTolson

AmberWason

ChadWomack

KarimaWoods

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VISIONFORDCSPATHWAYSTOINCLUSION....................................7
TECHNOLOGYINCLUSIONSCORECARD...........................................8
INCLUSIVEENTREPRENEURSHIPSTRATEGY.....................................9
RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................10

FOUNDATION......................................................................11

CAPACITY............................................................................12

CAPITAL..............................................................................13

AWARENESS.......................................................................14

DATAANALYSIS KEYFINDINGS..................................................15

TECHINCLUSIONANALYSIS..................................................16

METHODOLOGY...................................................................16

INNOVATIONINFRASTRUCTURE.............................................17

EDUCATION.........................................................................19

EMPLOYMENT.....................................................................22

ENTREPRENEURSHIP............................................................25

ACALLTOACTION.....................................................................29
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................30

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY5

6DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Vision for DCs Pathways to Inclusion

ThePathwaystoInclusionReportwascultivatedfromacommitmentbyMayorMurielBowserand
herInnovationTechnologyInclusionCouncil(ITIC)toexpandoftheDistrictsinnovationeconomyina
waythatwillserveasanationalmodelforinclusionanddiversity.Thisreportisthefirstofitskindfor
theDistrict,providingaroadmaptocreateaninclusiveecosystemwherethetechandinnovation
economycangrow.
Specificgoalshavebeensettoachieveourvisionofbecomingthenationspremierhubfor
technologyinclusion;creating5,000newtechjobsforunderrepresentedworkers,creating500new
techbusinessesfoundedbyunderrepresentedentrepreneursandfosteringthemostinclusiveculture
amongtechecosystemsontheEastCoast.Thesetofrecommendationsoutlinedinthisreportwas
designedtoprovidedirectionfortheDistrictanditspartnerstocarryoutspecificgoalsandultimately
itsvisionofbuildinganationalmodelfortechinclusionanddiversity.AllstakeholdersintheDistrict,
includinggovernment,privateindustry,universities,andnonprofitorganizationshavearoletoplayin
creatingandsustaininganinclusiveinnovationecosystem.

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

GOAL 3

Create5,000new
techjobsfor
underrepresented
workers

Create500new
techbusinesses
foundedby
underrepresented
entrepreneurs

Fosterthemost
inclusiveculture
amongtech
ecosystemsonthe
EastCoast

VISION

Become the nations premier hub for

technology inclusion

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY7

Technology Inclusion Scorecard

InitseorttoassesstheleveloftechinclusioninDC,andthusinformstrategiesandrecommendations,theDistrict
devisedaTechnologyInclusionScorecard.TheScorecardsummarizesthecurrentstateofinclusionwithintheDistrict
using32setsofdatathatshowparticipationandsuccessratesinthefourkeyfunctionalareasusedinthisreport:
innovationinfrastructure,education,employment,andentrepreneurship.Eachscoreisratedoutof5.
Amongthefourareas,entrepreneurshiprequiresthemostimmediateattentionandimprovement.Theaverageofthe
scoreswithinthisareais1.1.Notonlyarediversegroupsfallingbehindintheownershipoftechbusinesses,thesuccess
levelofbusinessesownedbythemisalsobelowaverage.
Withininnovationinfrastructure,withanaverage3.3,investmentintechbusinesseswhencomparedwithothermajor
UScities,yieldsalowscore.Thiscallsforactioninbuildingacriticalmassoftechactivitytoattractinvestment.
Educationscores3.5,withroomforimprovementinbuildingastrongpipelineandensuringthatthegapsintestscores
andachievementlevelsamongdiversegroupsnarrow.
Fromthedatasets,itisevidentthatthelevelofoneseducationplaysanimportantroleinenteringthetecheconomy.
MakingSTEM(science,technology,engineeringandmath)degreeattainmentmoreviableandcatalyzingthegrowth
ofnonbachelortechoccupationswillbevitaltoincreasinginclusionattheemploymentlevel.

DCTECHNOLOGYINCLUSIONSCORECARD
INNOVATIONINFRASTRUCTURE

EMPLOYMENT

Accesstoacomputerathome

4.0

Adoptionofbroadbandathome

3.0

Techoccupationparticipationbyrace

3.2

Techoccupationparticipationbygender

3.6

Techoccupationparticipationbydisability

4.9

Techoccupationparticipationbysamesexmarriage

4.9

Adoptionofbroadbandathomeforlow
incomehouseholds

2.4

Accesstoapubliccomputer

4.7

Incomeintechoccupationbyrace

Investmentintechindustry

1.8

Incomeintechoccupationbygender

TotalamountofSBIR&STTRawards

3.7

Incomeintechoccupationbydisability

Average: 3.3

Incomeintechoccupationbysamesexmarriage

4.9
4.1
5.0
4.3
1.3
Average: 4.0

EDUCATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

4thgrademathscoresbyrace

2.1

ITbusinessownershipbyrace

1.3

8thgrademathscoresbyrace

2.1

ITbusinessownershipbygender

1.9

4thgrademathscoresbygender

4.9

ITbusinessemployeecountsbyrace

1.1

8thgrademathscoresbygender

4.9

ITbusinessemployeecountsbygender

0.4

%with3+scoreonAPcalculusbyrace

2.4
4.1

ITbusinesssalesbyrace

0.8

%with3+scoreonAPcalculusbygender
%with3+scoreonAPcomputersciencebyrace

ITbusinesssalesbygender
3.3

%with3+scoreonAPcomputerscienceby
gender

3.1

%ofdegreesinSTEMbyrace

3.3

%ofdegreesinSTEMbygender

4.9

Average: 3.5
8DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

1.2
Average: 1.1

Inclusive Entrepreneurship Strategy

Totransformintoaninclusivetechhub,theDistrictandkeypartnersmustembarkonastrategythataddresses
commonbarriersfacedbyunderrepresentedentrepreneurs.Scorecarddataandstakeholderfeedbackrevealfour
significantbarriersthatwillbecombatedduringimplementationofthisstrategy.Beginningwithfoundationaltools
thatsowtheseedsoffuturetechsuccessandbuildeducationalandworkforcecapacity,theDistrictanditspartners
mustensurethatresidentsarepreparedtoembracegrowingtechjobsandoervaluableskills.
Beyondfoundationalcapacity,potentialentrepreneursshouldbeinspiredbyseeingexamplesofsuccessful
entrepreneursfromdiversebackgrounds.Thisawarenessoftheirownpotentialcansupportunderrepresented
entrepreneursduringdiculttimesandshedlightonanetworkofmentors,colleagues,andcustomers.Perhaps
mostcriticaltogrowinganinclusiveentrepreneurialtechecosystemisaccesstocapitalinvariousforms,including
human,social,andfinancial.CompaniesnationwideandintheDistrictstruggletofindtalentandfinancialcapital
necessarytogrow.Oftentheylackinclusioninsocialnetworksthatcouldconnectthemtothesevitalresources.
TheDistrictofColumbiawillpursueastrategythataddressesthesefourbarriers.Successfullytacklingthese
challengeswillenabletheDistricttoreachtheambitioustechinclusiongoals.

FOUNDATION

CAPACITY

PROVIDETHE
GROUNDWORKTO
PARTICIPATEINTHE
INNOVATIONECONOMY

DEVELOPOPPORTUNITIES
FOREDUCATIONAND
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT

CAPITAL

AWARENESS

EXPANDACCESSTO

DEVELOPINITIATIVESTHAT

HUMAN,SOCIAL,&
FINANCIALCAPITAL

HIGHLIGHTTHE
ECOSYSTEMS
DIVERSITY

RECOMMENDATIONS

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY9

Recommendations

10DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

oundation

Provide the Groundwork to Participate in the

Innovation Economy

Beforeconsideringanentrepreneurialpath,Districtresidentsmusthaveaccesstofundamentaltoolssuchashighspeedinternet
serviceanddevicesaswellasbasiccomputerliteracyskills.Thereiscurrentlysignificantdisparityintheseareasforresidents
underrepresentedinthetecheconomy.
Expandprogramstooerlowcostcomputers
tolowincomeresidents

Note:Colorediconsrepresentfunctionalareasaddressedby
eachrecommendation.Alowcostcomputerprogramaddress
esallfourfocusareas

Withoutaninternetenableddevice,lowincome
residentsinterestedinentrepreneurshipareunabletolearn
basiccomputerskillsnecessaryforevenentryleveltech
positions.ExpandingprogramssuchasEveryoneOnand
ProjectReboot,whichprovidelowcostcomputerrepair
servicesandforsalecomputers,willequipresidentswiththe
requiredtoolstoparticipateinthetecheconomy.

Supportcodingtrainingandjobexperiencefor
underrepresentedresidents
Peopleoflowersocioeconomicstatusareless
likelytoparticipateincontentcreationdueto
disadvantagesineducationandlackofthenecessaryfree
timefortheworkinvolvedincreatingandmaintainingblogs,
websitesandapplications.ExpandingtheDistricts
partnershipwiththeCodeforProgressfellowshipprogram
wouldmultiplythenumberoflowincomeresidentswith
codingtrainingandexperience,growingatalentpipelineand
creatingrolemodelswithinunderrepresentedcommunities.

TheDistricthasmadegreatstrideswithitsConnect.DC
initiativetoclosethedigitaldividethroughadvertisementof
lowcostinternetoptionsandcomputerliteracycourses.To
achieveuniversalandequitableadoptionofhighspeed
broadband,theDistrictshouldpartnerwith
telecommunicationsfirmsthatarewillingtosupport
residentsandentrepreneurswhocurrentlylackadequate
internetservice.
Introducemandatorycomputerscienceand
relatedSTEMcurriculaforyoungchildren

BEST PRACTICE

Studentswithoutexposuretocomputerscienceathomeor
intheclassroomhavedicultycatchinguptomoresavvy
classmatesinhighschoolorcollege.Growingthenext
generationofcoders,technologists,andtechentrepreneurs
requiresearlyexposureandtrainingincomputerscienceat
theelementaryormiddleschoollevel.Giventhehighdegree
ofautonomyprovidedtoprincipalsintheDistrict,asystem
widerequirementforcomputersciencetrainingoersthe
mosteectivemethodofensuringaminimumlevelofSTEM
curricula.

NetworkingandMentorshipOpportunities
WallStreetWithoutWalls(WSWW)isanonprofit
organizationthatconnectscapitalmarketinstitutionsto
organizationsinvolvedincommunitydevelopmentinlowto
moderateincomecommunities.WSWWenliststhe
expertiseofseniorandretiredinvestmentbanking
executiveswhovolunteertohelporganizationsthink
throughtheirfinancialneeds,developafinancialstructure
andidentifysourcesoffunding.WSWWalsooersits
servicesfreeofchargetoorganizationsinneed.WSWW
receivesfundingthroughstrategicpartnershipswithother
organizations.

Improvethequalityofjobtrainingcoursesto
meetemployerstandards

Asimilarmodelcanbeemulatedtocreateanentitythat
connectstechinvestorstoentrepreneursandstartupsto
providenetworkingandmentorshipopportunities,which
areoftencitedasthelargesthurdleinenteringthetech
industry.

Thequalityofjobtrainingprogramsvariesgreatlybytopic,
provider,andlocation.Trainingcoursescouldbebetter
evaluatedbyaccountingforstudentperformanceandjob
placementwithintrainingproviderlicensurerequirements.

Additionally,coursesshouldbebetteralignedtomeet
industryneedsbyconveningsmallandmediumsized
businessestocollecttheirspecificneedsandtobuildadirect
rapporttomaintaincurrentrequirementsinafastchanging
industry.Suchimprovementinjobtrainingcourseswill
enableDistrictresidentstobequalifiedfortechjobs.

Partnerwithinternetserviceproviderstooer
aordablehighspeedbroadbandaccessto
theDistrict

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY11

apacity

Develop Opportunities for Education and

Workforce Development

GrowingtheDistrictstecheconomytogeneratemorejobsisanessentialcomponentofcreatingamoreinclusivetechentrepreneur
ecosystem.Merelyexpandingavailablepositions,however,willnotsupportmorediversehiringifunderrepresentedworkersare
notpreparedwiththeeducationandskillsnecessarytomeetemployersneeds.BuildingDCresidentstechnicalcapacityiscriticalto
realizingmorediversityintechfirms.

Supportentrepreneurshipandjobtraining
organizationsseekingtoworkwithpersons
withdisabilities
ThoughpersonswithdisabilitiesarewellrepresentedasSTEM
workers,thereremainbarrierstosucceedingasentrepreneurs.
Organizationsthatoerjobtrainingandentrepreneurship
programmingwouldbenefitfromtargetedandrelevant
interventionstosupportpersonswithdisabilities.Examples
includesignlanguageinterpretersatevents,hardwareinjob
trainingclassroomstoaccommodatephysicaldisabilities,and
trainingonaccessiblewebdesign.
Oeruniqueandimpactfulprofessional
developmentopportunitiestoSTEMteachers
Professionaldevelopmentisvitaltomaintaining
cuttingedge,engagedSTEMeducators.Whetherfromlimited
funds,uninterestingcourses,ortherapidchangesinthetech
sector,STEMeducatorscouldbebetterequippedwithupto
dateindustryorcurriculumknowledge.Oeringmeaningful
experientiallearningopportunities,suchasNASASpaceCamp
orSpringBreakatSea,whichprovidealearningbydoing
approachtoeducation,canpreserveteachercuriosityand
improveclassroomcurriculaandstudentresults.
LaunchanAdoptaSchoolprogram
Privatefirmsandindividualsoftenwantto
supportlocalschoolsbutcanteasilygainentry.
Anadoptaschoolprogramwouldcreateavolunteerismand
donationmarketplacetoconnectschoolswithspecific,clearly
defined,needstocompaniesandindividuals.Examples
includeacompanyfundingthelaunchofanafterschoolSTEM
BEST PRACTICE
ExperientialEducatorLearning
iPadpaloozaischangingthedynamicsofteacherprofessional
development.Itisathreedaylearningfestivalheldannual
lywhereattendeesareencouragedtocreateteamsandtake
partina36hourchallengeknownastheAPPmazingRace.
Withoutanydirectlearningontechorapps,teamshaveto
completethechallengethatrequiresanunderstandingand
useoftech.Theexperiencenotonlygivesteacherstech
training,butitalsoteachesthemalearningbydoingwayof
educationfortheirownstudents.
12DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

program,techprofessionalscoteachingacomputerscience
course,orpeoplevolunteeringataSTEMsummercamp.A
thirdparty,suchastheCarnegieAcademyforScience
Education,couldactasanintermediary.
LaunchaTechHireprogramforreturning
citizens
Thegrowthoftechjobspresentsaripe
opportunityforreturningcitizens.ATechHireprogramcan
closetheskillsgapbetweenemployerneedsandresidents
educationbytargetingtraininginoccupationalsectors
projectedtogrowsignificantly.BecausetheDistricthasan
extremelylimitedpooloftechjobsrequiringlessthanafour
yeardegree,specializedtrainingandstructuredwork
experienceisrequiredtopreparereturningcitizensfor
competitivetechpositions.
ExpandtechfirmparticipationintheSummer
YouthEmploymentProgram
TheMayorsSummerYouthEmployment
Program(SYEP)haslongbeenaprizedinitiativeoering
studentsworkexperience,wages,andanalternativeto
unproductivesummeractivities.Expandingthenumberof
studentsplacedintechcompanieswillincreaseexposureand
demonstrateskillsrequiredtopursuecareersintech.
Additionally,employersparticipatinginSYEPcouldbemore
successfulyouthhostsifprovidedresourcestosupportyoung,
firsttime,employeessuchasacurriculum,goals,andstudent
trainingoptionsforthesixweekprogramtermaswellas
culturalsensitivitytraining.
LaunchaProgramtoPartnerLocalTech
EmployerswithUniversities
Localstudentsarenotalwaysawareofnearby
employmentopportunitiesthatexist,resultingin
abraindrainwhentheyleavetheDistrictforopportunities
elsewhere.Tocombatthis,universitiesandemployerscould
partnertobuildrelationshipsthatresultinanemployment
pipelineforgraduates.Localemployersalsocouldexpand
eortstorecruitinternsfromDCuniversities.Employers
couldhaveagreateroncampuspresencethroughindustry
daysandspeakerseriestointroducestudentsinSTEMdegree
programstolocalemploymentopportunities.

apital

Expand Access to Human, Social, & Financial

Capital

Accesstotalent,socialnetworks,andinvestmentfundingarethemostimmediateandcriticalconcernscitedbycurrentand
prospectiveentrepreneurs.TheDistrictoersnumerousresourcesforfounderstoaccesscapital,butfewarefocusedonorutilized
byunderrepresentedentrepreneurs.Districtgovernmentanditspartnershavemanyopportunitiestooerequitableaccessto
resources,mentors,welcomingworkspaces,andlikemindedfoundersinnationalecosystems.
Createaninclusivehubforunderrepresented
entrepreneurstolaunchandgrowcompanies

Supportandfundarobustcapitalprogramfor
underrepresentedentrepreneurs

Creatingasafe,welcomingworkand
collaborationspaceforentrepreneursfromdiverse
backgroundswillremoveseveralmajorbarrierstosuccess:
unconsciousbias;lackofvisibility;andlimitedsocial
networks.Thisphysicalhubcouldoertrainingtoimprove
technicalandbusinessskills,aswellasencourage
collaborationwithotherdiverseentrepreneurs,service
providers,customers,andinvestors.

Localeconomicdevelopmentagenciesinmany
majorcentersofinnovationhostearlystagecapital
investmentprograms.Regionally,MarylandsTechnology
DevelopmentCorporation(TEDCO)andVirginiasCenterfor
InnovativeTechnology(CIT)aremodelprograms.The
Districtshouldconsiderlaunchingasimilarinvestment
vehicle.
Fundingprograms,however,shouldnotbelimitedtothe
publicsector.Acampaigntoenticehighnetworth
individualstoinvestinDC'sunderrepresentedentrepreneurs
couldeectivelyleverageanuntappedmarketoffunders
seekingauniqueinvestmentthatalsosupportsthelocal
community.TheDistrictishometo220,000highnetworth
individuals,fourthinUS,presentingasignificantopportunity
forinvestmentcapital.

Supportphysicalinfrastructureneedsof
entrepreneurs
Growingcompaniesrequiresmallocespaces
withflexibleleasetermstoaccommodateunpredictable
growth.TheDistrictcouldusemanypolicyleverstomitigate
highcost,highdemandspacechallengingentrepreneurs.
Examplesincludecollaborationwithlandlordstoprovide
growthspaceforearlystagecompaniesthroughmaster
leaseagreementsorrequiredsetasidesatDistrictsponsored
projectsaswellasthoseprogressingthroughaPlannedUnit
Developmentprocess.

Connectdiverseentrepreneurialecosystems
Severalmeetupsandnetworkingorganizations
arefocusedongatheringdiversefoundersandtecheconomy
participants,buttherearemanyopportunitiesfor
improvementincluding:

BEST PRACTICE

Hostapitchcompetitionfocusedonunderrepresented

LeveragingHighNetWorthIndividuals

entrepreneurs;

ForHighNetWorthIndividuals(HNWIs),techstartups
providegreatinvestmentopportunity.A2015surveyby
MorganStanleyfoundthatHNWIsseetechasatopfavored
sectorforinvestment.Wellknownactorandtechinvestor,
AshtonKutcher,hasbeenanearlyinvestorincompanieslike
Foursquare,Uber,AirbnbandSkype.In2011,Kutchersaw
substantialreturnswhenSkypewaspurchasedbyMicrosoft
for$8billion.

Launchamentorshipprogramforentrepreneursfrom
diversebackgroundssimilartoWallStreetWithout
Walls(describedinpage11);and

Createpartnershipsinothercitieswithdiverse
entrepreneurialecosystems.

ThereareanumberoffirmswhocatertoHNWIs.The
ClubhouseInvestmentClubfeaturescelebritieswhoareable
tousetheirnetworktopromotestartupsofinterest.
OnevestconductsmixerswithHNWIsandselectedstartups,
connectingHNWIsdirectlytoinvestorswhichallowsthem
tomakeaconnectionwithastartup,ratherthanworking
throughfundmanagers.TheDistrictofColumbiaishometo
morethan220,000HNWIs(fourthinUS).Thispresents
significantopportunitiesforHNWIs,specificallywomenand
minorities,toinvestinlocaltechstartups.

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY13

wareness

Develop Initiatives that Highlight the

Ecosystems Diversity

Awarenessmanifestsinmanyforms.Toenableorexpeditetheirsuccess,entrepreneursshouldbeawareofavailableresourcesand
modelsormentors.Techemployersshouldbeawareofboththelevelofdiversityintheirfirmsandsourcesofdiversetalentfrom
whichtheycanhire.Governmentshouldbeawareofhowitleveragesitscontractingrelationshipstomeettechinclusiongoals.
Someformsofvisibilitycanbeachievedthroughmarketing,whileothersrequirepolicy.However,allarecriticaltotransformingthe
Districtstechecosystem.
Createmarketingstrategythatspotlights
diversesuccessfulentrepreneursandSTEM
professionals
Acampaigncenteredaroundthestoriesofsuccessful
underrepresentedtechnologistsandentrepreneursinDCwill
oercriticalrolemodelstoyouthandadultinnovatorsalike.
SpotlightingsuccessfulparticipantsinDCstechand
innovationecosystemoerstheimpactofencouragingmore
underrepresentedinnovatorstopursueanidea;tocontinue
toperseveredespitechallenges;aswellasattracting
likemindedentrepreneurs,investors,andcorporations,who
desiretobeapartofaninclusivecommunity.Thiscanbe
donebyshowcasingsuccessfulunderrepresented
entrepreneursandcompanieswithinclusivehiringpractices
inplace.Mediaoutletsdedicatedtodiversityoutreachcould
bepotentialpartners.
Buildasuiteofresourcesforcompaniesatall
stagesofdevelopment
Governmentagencies,universities,nonprofit
organizations,andindustryassociationsoera
myriadofresourcestoDCtechentrepreneurs,including
training,mentorship,networkingevents,pitchcompetitions,
andprobonoprofessionalservices.Theseresourceswould
bemorehelpfuliftheywerecentrallylocatedandkeptupto
date.Acentralonlinerepositoryofkeyresourcesupdated
regularlywouldprovideapointofentryandtoolsnecessary
forsuccesstounderrepresentedentrepreneurswithoutdeep
socialnetworksinDCstechecosystem.TheDetroit
Bizgridanonlinedirectorythathelpsentrepreneurs
navigateavailableresourcesinthecityofDetroit,providesa
modelroadmapofresources.
FosteropportunityfordiverseSTEM
professionalsthroughblind,meritbasedhiring,
toreduceimplicitbias
Techemployerscancreatemorediverseworkplacesby
addressingunconscioushiringbias.Usingablindhiring
mechanismsuchasaskillsassessment,codingchallengeor
namelessresume,employerscanopenthedoorto

14DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

unexpectedhires.Thiscandiversifyemployeecomposition,
helpingtoensurethatwomen,minoritiesandthose
individualswithuniquebackgroundshavetheopportunityto
contributetoateam.Severalcompanies,suchasBlendoor,
oeronlineplatformsforemployersseekingtoanonymize
jobapplicantsandhirebasedonskillsandexperience.
EncourageinclusivehiringamongDC
contractors,includingsubcontractors/CBEs
thatparticipateininclusivejobtraining
programs
Governmentshavesignificantpurchasingpowertopromote
valuesdriveninitiativeswithvendors.DCcurrentlyhasa
robustsmallandlocalbusinessprogram.Thismodelcanbe
extendedtoincentivizediversehiringorfundedtrainingfor
underrepresentedSTEMworkers.
Additionally,currentemploymentbarriersforreturning
citizens,suchasstringentbackgroundinvestigationsfor
DistrictITcontractors,shouldbeevaluatedtoconsidertheir
coststoexoenderscomparedtothebenefitstothe
District.
BEST PRACTICE
BlindHiring
Unconsciousbiasisoftensaidtoinfluencethehiringprocess
ofmanyorganizationsinthetechindustry,leadingtoadis
proportionaterepresentationofdiversegroups.Asaneort
toeliminatesuchbias,companiessuchasBlendoorand
Gapjumpershaveintroducedablindhiringprocesswhere
employersscreenoremployjobseekersbasedonlyontheir
skillsandabilities.
Blendoormatchesemployerswithpotentialemployeesthat
meettheirqualificationswithoutthedisclosureofname,
raceorpicture.Theemployeronlymeetsthepotentialem
ployeeattheinterviewstage.Gapjumpersisanotheronline
servicethatallowsemployerstocreatetasksandchoose
potentialemployeesbasedonthecompletionofthese
tasks,equivalenttoablindaudition.Byusingsuchservices
andthuseliminatingunconsciousbias,firmsaresaidtohire
morediverseindividualstheywouldnototherwise.

Data Analysis & Key Findings

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY15

Tech Inclusion Analysis

Eective,impactfulstrategiesrequireafirmunderstanding
ofthecurrentstateofaairstoinformandsupport
recommendations.Withthisinmind,theDistrictdedicated
muchtimetoassessingtheexistingstateoftechinclusion
throughquantitativemeasuresandperceivedbarriersto
entryandsuccess.Datafromfourdistinctandrelatedfocus
areasillustratethelevelofparticipationandsuccessdiverse
residentsachieveinDCstechcommunityandeconomy.As
buildingblocksofathrivingandinclusivetechhub,
innovationinfrastructure,education,employmentand
entrepreneurshipinterrelateandframeDCstechecosystem.
Fullinclusioninanyofthefourareasthatformthepyramid
isimperativeinensuringequalopportunity.Innovation
infrastructure,suchasbroadbandanddevices,arethe
foundationthateducation,employmentand
entrepreneurshiprelyupon.Withthefundamentalbasein
place,educationhelpspeopletakeasteptowardstech
employmentorentrepreneurship.Employmentinthetech
industryisfoundeduponthetrainingandskillsthatbuildon
oneseducationandfoundation.Withtheresources,
networks,educationandskillsfromtheotherthreesteps,
oneismorelikelytobecomeathrivingentrepreneur.

Methodology
Dataandtools
TheDistrictleveragedpubliclyavailabledata,interviews,
focusgroupsandasurveyforthisreport.Quantitative
researchwasconductedwiththehelpofMBAcandidates
fromtheHowardUniversitySchoolofBusiness.
Datawasprimarilygatheredfrompubliclyavailablesources,
suchasU.S.CensusBureau,IntegratedPublicUseMicrodata
SeriesandtheNationalScienceBoard.APscoresand
venturecapitalinvestmentdatawererequestedfrom
CollegeBoardandtheNationalVentureCapitalAssociation.
TechworkersandSTEMdegreesrefertocategories
definedasSTEMOccupationsandSTEMDegreesina2013
reportpublishedbytheU.S.CensusBureau(Disparitiesin
STEMEmploymentbySex,Race,andHispanicOrigin).
TheMBAcandidatesalsoconductedbestpracticeresearch,
andfeaturedmodelswereselectedbasedoncost
eectivenessandinfrastructuralfeasibility.
Atotalof25interviewswithindustryexpertsandspecialists
tookplace.Focusgroupsoneducation,entrepreneurship
andtraining/employmentcollectedthoughtsfrom30
16DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Entrepreneurship
Employment
Education
Innovation Infrastructure
industryexpertsandparticipantsinterestedinincreasing
techinclusion.Interviewattendeeswereaskedtosharetheir
experienceandthoughtsonthestateoftechinclusionwithin
theDistrict,mainchallenges,andrecommendations.
GhostNoteAgency,adigitalcommunicationsfirmbasedin
DC,designedandconductedasurveytoinvestigatethestate
ofinclusionwithinthetechcommunityintheDistrict.Atotal
of37respondentsparticipatedinthesurvey.
InclusionScorecard
Scoresformetricsthatmeasureparticipationlevelsbyrace,
gender,disabilityandsamesexmarriagestatusare
calculatedbytakingthedierencebetweentheparticipation
rateofademographicgroupandthepopulationratioorratio
ofallemploymentoftherelevantgroupinDC.Formetrics
thatmeasuresuccessratesbyvariousdemographicgroups,
suchasincomeandtestscores,thedierenceismade
betweentheaverageperformanceofallgroupsandeach
groupsperformance.
Accesstoacomputerandbroadbandadoptionathomewere
bothcalculatedusingtheaverageofeachracialgroups
accessibilityandadoptionrate.Fortheamountof
investmentinthetechindustryandofSmallBusiness
InnovationResearch(SBIR)&SmallBusinessTechnology
Transfer(STTR)awards,DCsfigureswerecomparedtothe
averageof50states.

25
INTERVIEWS

30
FOCUSGROUP

37
SURVEYRESPONDENTS

32
DATASETS

Innovation Infrastructure
Improvingfoundationaltools,suchasbroadbandadoptionrateandaccesstodevices,aswellasincreasingtotal
capitalinvestedintechwillenableresidentstobecomemoreactiveparticipantsintechentrepreneurship.

Interview and
Focus Group Findings

searchingforanewpositionusedinternetresourcesfortheir
jobsearch.Experiencewithtechtoolsisparticularlypivotal
forthoseinterestedinapositionwithinthetecheconomy.
Increasingly,digitalfirmsseekapplicantswhohave
specializedtrainingandexperience.Residentswithout
exposuretoandexperiencewithcomputers,aswellas
internetnavigationandsearchtoolsareatadisadvantageto
applyforthesepositions.

Theimportanceofaccessibleandaordablecomputersand
broadbandforexposureandearlylearningwasraisedin
everyfocusgroupconductedforthisstrategy,andbymost
interviewparticipants,ascriticaltothesuccessoftech
inclusioneorts.Regardlessoftheprimarydiscussiontopic,
education,employment,orentrepreneurship,consistent
accessanduseofthesefoundationaltoolswerecitedas
requiredingredientstoincreaseinclusion.

BroadbandAdoptionRatesandAccesstoDevices
Asof2015,theDistricthasabroadbandadoptionrateof
74%,upfrom57.9%in2008,butthereisasignificantlevelof
disparityamongraces.Only59%ofBlackresidentshavea
computerwithbroadbandathome,comparedto71%of
Hispanic,83%ofAsian,and96%ofWhiteresidents(Exhibit
1).Thegapinbroadbandadoptionisalsoapparentalong
socioeconomicfaultlines.Residentsearningover$75,000
havea92%adoptionratecomparedto61%earninglessthan
$35,000(Exhibit2).

Insights
APewResearchCentersurveyreportedthat73%ofteachers
nationwideaskstudentstoaccessassignmentsonlineand
76%requirethemtosubmitassignmentsinthismanner.
Withoutbroadbandathome,studentsoutofschooltime
mustbalancethehoursofpubliclyavailablecomputerlabs
andbusinesseswithWiFiwithotherobligations,suchas
parttimework,extracurricularactivities,andfamily
responsibilities.

Accesstoacomputerinthehomeisequallyimportantto
engagementinthetecheconomy.Becomingatech

Jobseekersarealsochallengedbyalackofbroadband.A
PewResearchCenterstudyrevealedthat79%ofpeople

Exhibit2
Exhibit1

Source:USCensusData

Source:USCensusData

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY17


entrepreneurischallengingwithoutapersonalcomputeror
broadbandtoworkonlongtermcodingprojects,download
unconventionalsoftware,storeworkinthecloud,or
participateinsocialforumswithlikemindedtechnologists.
Manyofthegreatesttechentrepreneurslearnedtocodeand
designapplicationsasahobby,outsidestructuredclassroom
environments.Thisearlyandflexibleexposureoereda
headstartfortheirformaltraining.
IntheDistrict,98%ofWhitehouseholdshaveacomputer,
comparedto91%ofAsian,79%ofHispanic,and80%of
Blackhouseholds.Blackhomeshavethegreatest
concentrationofavailablecomputerswithoutbroadband
access.Insomecasesthesehouseholdscontinuetousedial
upservice,whileothersmaintainasiloedmachinewith
limitedfunctionality(Exhibit1).
Householdswithoutcomputersoftenrelyonpubliclibraries
andcommunitydevelopmentorganizationswithlabsfor
homework,jobhunting,andcommunication.Thereare
currently90suchlocationsintheDistrict,buttheydonot
providecompletecoverageoftheareasmostinneed.
Exhibit3overlayscensustractsbyincomelevelandpublicly
availablecomputerlabswitha0.5milebuer.Median
householdincomeofbetween$24,250and$40,000isshown
inyellow,andincomeoflessthan$24,250,whichisthe
federalpovertylevelthresholdforahouseholdoffour,isred.
Withintheredandyellowareas,atotalof4.5squaremilesof
neighborhoodsdonothaveaccesstoapubliccomputer
withinahalfmiletrip.

InvestmentinSmallTechBusinesses
Investmentinsmalltechbusinessesisfoundationalto
buildinginnovationinfrastructure.Theamountof
investmentinDCssmallbusinesses,asshownbythetotal
amountinvestedintheSmallBusinessInnovationResearch
(SBIR)andSmallBusinessTechTransfer(STTR)programs,is
morethanadollarpercapitabehindtheaverageof50states
(Exhibit4).ThisisnotablebecauseDCisoverrepresentedby
techbusinesses,butisnotleveragingabasicfederal
innovationtool.DCsunlockedcapitalratio,calculatedbythe
totaltechinvestmentdividedbyGDPinthelastfiveyears,is
amere0.7%,comparedto2.0%ofothermajorcitiesinthe
country(Exhibit5).

Exhibit4

Exhibit3
ACCESSTOPUBLICCOMPUTERSBYINCOME

Source:SBIR/STTRAwardDatabase

Exhibit5

Source:PwCMoneytree,1776InnovationThatMattersIndex

18DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Education
Earlyeducationandexposuretotechnologyiscriticalinpreparingresidentstoenter,advanceandthriveinthetechindustry.

Interview and
Focus Group Findings

standards.Itisworthnotingthatthesefiguresincludeboth
publicandprivateschoolstudents(Exhibits8,9,10,11).
Havingstartedonasimilarfooting,Hispanicstudentsexceed
BlackstudentachievementintermsofAPComputerScience
andCalculustestingsuccess,butbothfallbehindtheirpeers
nationally.Just30%ofHispanicstudentsand20%Black
studentsinDCpassAPComputerSciencewithascoreof3or
highercomparedtonationalratesof42%and38%
respectively.Theonlygrouptoexceedthenationalaverage
ofstudentsscoringhigherthana3oneithertheAP
ComputerScience(86%)orCalculus(75%)examswere
WhitestudentsinDC(Exhibits12,14).

Participantsoverwhelminglyagreedontheimportanceof
earlyeducationandexposuretotechtoolsasastrategyto
improvinginclusion.Manyfeltthatstudentsdonotconnect
wellwithcurriculumthatisnotculturallyrelevanttothem
norwithrolemodelswithintechwhoarenotrelatable.
PrincipalswhoarededicatedtoimprovingSTEMeducation
oftenhavelimitedresourcesintermsofcomputerscience
teachers,fundingandpersonnelforoutofschool
programming,andinsucienthardwaretorunimpactful
programs.

ThedisparityinSTEMhighereducationdegreesisless
apparent.FortyonepercentofBlackdegreeholdershavean
undergraduatedegreeinaSTEMfield,comparedwith45%
ofNonwhiteHispanicand49%ofWhiteneighbors.An
impressiveportionofAsianresidents,72%,haveaSTEM
degree(Exhibit17).

Thehighdegreeofschoolprincipalsautonomyincurriculum
developmentandafterschoolprogrammingalsomakesit
diculttooerstudentsaconsistentexperience.Thisalone
isnotanadversefactor,giventhatprogrammingmustmeet
studentsattheircurrentleveloraptitude,however,itcanbe
problematicifaschoolsleadershipdoesnotprioritizeSTEM
exposureandeducation.

Exhibit6

Insights
EducationinSTEMfieldsisatthecoreoffutureeconomic
successinthetechindustry.Themajority(71%)ofSTEM
occupationsareheldbyemployeeswithaSTEMdegree
comparedwith49%fornonSTEMjobs.Additionally,STEM
educationoershighersalaries.Seventyonepercentand
38%ofSTEMdegreeholdersearnover$60,000and
$100,000respectively,comparedto63%and29%ofnon
STEMdegreeholders(Exhibits6,7).Totracktechinclusion
througheducation,andthusopportunitiestobecomeatech
entrepreneurorjoinagrowingtechfirm,thisreportanalyzes
keygroupsparticipationandsuccessacrosstheelementary,
middle,highschool,andhighereducationlevels.
DisparitiesbyRace
BlackandHispanicpopulationsunderperforminmath
comparedtotheirWhitepeersin4thgrade,andcontinueto
fallbehindthroughoutmiddleandhighschool.These
studentsacademicachievementfallsslightlybehindthe
nationalaveragesfortheirpeersattheelementaryand
middleschoollevels.WhitestudentsmathscoresinDC,
conversely,farexceedthenationalaveragefortheirWhite
peers.Additionally,WhitestudentsinDCaretheonlygroup
withanaveragescoredesignatedasProficientbytesting

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit7

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY19


Exhibit8

Source:NationalScienceBoard

Exhibit9

Source:NationalScienceBoard

Exhibit10

Source:NationalScienceBoard

Source:CollegeBoard

Exhibit12

Exhibit13

Source:CollegeBoard

Exhibit14

Source:CollegeBoard

20DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Source:NationalScienceBoard

Exhibit11

Exhibit15

Source:CollegeBoard


Whilethisappearstoexhibitalevelofinclusion,further
analysisrevealsthatover70%ofBlackSTEMdegreeholders
areoverage40,suggestingalimitedpipelineoftalentto
maintainthisequity.Comparatively,only54%ofWhite,48%
ofNonWhiteHispanic,and27%ofAsianSTEMdegree
holdersareoverage40.Thisdisparitysuggeststhatstudents
areunpreparedfor,oruninterestedinstudyingSTEM.
Alternatively,STEMgraduatesmayhaverelocatedtothe
Districtforadvancedjobsintechcompaniesorgovernment,
ratherthanbeingraisedandeducatedlocally(Exhibit18).

Exhibit16

DisparitiesbyGender
ThesuccessoffemaleSTEMstudentsisequallynuanced.For
everygroupexceptWhiteresidents,womenholdagreater
numberofSTEMdegreesthanmen.WomensSTEMsuccess
beginsearlyintheireducationalpathway.Inboth4thand
8thgrademath,girlsperformanceslightlyexceedboys,
thoughbothhoverneartheDistrictsaveragescore.
Significantly,thisaveragescorefallsfarbelowthenational
averageformathscores(Exhibits10,11).

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit17

WomensSTEMeducationsuccessbreaksdownattheAP
level,wheretheyperformatafarlowerlevelthanmalesin
DC,aswellastheirfemalecounterpartsintherestofthe
country.WiththeexceptionofAPscores,however,sexof
studentisnotasstarkadierentiatorinSTEMeducationas
raceandethnicity.WomenholdnearlyasmanySTEM
degreesasmen.However,asshownintheEmployment
section,thereisadisconnectbetweendegreeattainment
andSTEMworkforceparticipation(Exhibits13,15,16).

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit18

BarrierstoTechInclusioninEducation

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Professional
developmentfor
STEMteachersis
inadequate

STEMclassroom
curriculumisinconsistentand
disconnectedfromstudents

Outofschooltimeisa
missedopportunity

Schoolshave
limitedanddated
hardware

Studentsdonotsee
relatableexamples
oftechnologists

Fundingis
limited

Contentisnotculturally
relevant

Schoolsarenotadopting
availableafterschool
programs

Hardwareat
schools
inconsistent

Participationby
teachersislow

Curriculumdoesnotmeet
studentswheretheyare

Schoolslackpersonnelto
leadprograms

Principalsare
unawareofmany
STEMprograms

STEMteachersarearare
commodity

Schoolslack
sucient
numberof
computers

Studentslack
exposureto
interestingtech
professionals

Studentsdonot
havesucient
exposureto
internshipsintech
companies

Principalshavesignificant
autonomyincurriculumdesign

Schoolsdonothave
startupfundstolaunch
programs
SummerSTEMprogram
mingislimitedbyfunding

Broadbandcon
nectionisincon
sistent

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY21

Employment
PreparingadiversegroupofDistrictresidentstobecometechworkersprovidesacriticaltalentpipelineforgrowing
businesses.

Interview and
Focus Group Findings
Tobecomethenationspremierhuboftechinclusion,the
Districtmustincreaseopportunitiesfordiverseworkersand
reducebarrierstoentryandsuccess.Duringinterviewsand
focusgroups,participantsexpressedconcernsoverbasic
needs,suchassoftskillstraining,housingandchildcare.Most
agreedthatthelackofbasicneedsplaysaleadingrolein
jobseekerschoosingtoquittrainingprograms.
Additionally,networkingplaysanimportantroleintech
employment.Stakeholderssuggestedthatfirmsshouldbe
incentivizedtoprovidenetworkingopportunitiestodiverse
populations.Theyalsoadvocatedfortheimportantroleof
diverseleaderstoinspirediversepeopletojointheindustry.

Insights
TheDistrictsworkingpopulationismorediversethanthoseof
othercities.Femaleworkers(53%)outnumbermalesandNon
whiteworkersmakeup57%oftheemployedpopulation.The
diversenatureoftheDistrictisnotreflectedinthetechsector,
however.ThenumberoftechjobsinDCtotalsjustunder
30,000,ofwhichover17,000areheldbywomenandnon
whiteprofessionals.Only37%oftechworkersinDCare
womenandtheNonwhitepopulationcompriseonly28%of
thetechsector(Exhibit19).Techworkersinclude
Exhibit19

professionalsincomputerandinformationsystems,
engineers,andnaturalsciences.Healthcareworkersand
architectsareexcluded.
ParticipationofDiverseGroupsinTechIndustry
Despitetheappearanceofpoorparticipation,femaletech
workers(37%)farebetterinDCthanthecountryasawhole.
RepresentationofwomenintheDistrictstechsector
exceedsthenationalaverageof26%.Conversely,
representationoftheNonwhitepopulationinDCrequires
attention.GiventhattheratioofNonwhitepopulation
nationallyismuchlowerthanthatoftheDistrict,itisfalling
behindindiverseemployment(Exhibit19).
FortyninepercentofalltechworkersinDCareWhitemen
and25%areWhitewomen;ninepercentareBlackmen,and
8%areBlackwomen(Exhibit20).Thisshowstwotrends.
First,abouthalfoftheDCtechindustryisdominatedby
Whitemen.Second,withineveryracial/ethnicgroup,there
arefewerfemaletechworkersthanmaletechworkers.
Whenbrokenfurtherintoagecohorts,thereisconcernfor
thefutureofdiversityinDC,especiallyfortheBlack
population.ForWhiteandAsianpopulations,theratioof
techworkersunderage60is87%and100%respectively,
whilethefigureisonly61%forbothBlacksandNonwhite
Hispanics.TheratioofBlackworkersundertheageof30is
only10%.Thisindicatesthattherearetoofewdiverse
workersinthepipelinetotakeleadershippositionsorfound
theirfirmsinthefuture(Exhibit21).
Exhibit20

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

22DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries


Exhibit21

Exhibit22

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit23
Exhibit24

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

BarrierstoTechInclusioninEmployment
Networkingislacking
andunconsciousbiasis
common

Manyjobtraining
programsare
inadequate

Trainingprograms
needtoconsiderother
basicneedsofjob
seekers

DCGovernmentprograms
donotpromoteinclusion

Therearenot
enoughdiverse
leadersintech

Networkingand
referralsintechjobs
playabigrole

Toomanyprograms
arefocusedonentry
levelpositions

Softskillstrainingis
notoered

DCGovernmentIT
contractbackgroundchecks
limitinclusion

Lackofdiverse
leaders
discouragesjob
seekersfrom
joiningtech
industry

Techindustrytendsto
refrainfromhiring
outsidethebox

Trainingopportunities
arenotsharedthrough
relevantnetworks

Qualityofcommunity
collegeworkforce
developmenttraining
isinconsistentandpoor
Employertrainingin
SYEPprogramsisnot
provided

Housingproblems
andlegalchallenges
discouragestudents
fromlearning
Programsneedtobe
supportedwith
provisionofbroadband
anddeviceaccess

Thereisalackofskills
trainingforSYEPyouth
Therearefewoptionsfor
youthskillstraining

EmployertraininginSYEP
programsisnotprovided

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY23


Samesexmarriedcouplesarewellrepresentedincomparison.
Approximately2%ofDCtechworkersareinsamesex
marriages,whereasonly1%oftheworkersintheDistrict
overallselfreportedtobeinasamesexmarriage(Exhibit22).

Exhibit26

Conversely,9%oftheworkingpopulationunderage60inDC
reportedhavingoneormoredisabilities,butonly1%ofthe
techworkershavethesameattribute(Exhibit23).
Educationisamajorhurdleforindividualshopingtoenterthe
techindustryinDC,astechjobsthatdonotrequirea
bachelorsdegreearescarce.Eightyeightpercentoftechjobs
inDCrequireabachelorsdegree,thoughnearlyhalfofDCs
populationdonothaveone(Exhibit24).

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit27

SuccessofDiverseGroupsinTechIndustry
Theleveloftechworkersuccess,asmeasuredbyincomein
thisreport,doesnotshowgreatdisparity.Thepercentageof
Blacktechworkersearningover$80,000is29%,whilethatof
Whiteworkersis33%.ForAsiansandNonwhiteHispanics,
theratioisslightlyhigherthanthatoftheWhitepopulation,at
37%and34%,respectively(Exhibit25).
Thereisalargerratiooftechworkerswithoneormore
disabilities(51%)thatearnmorethan$80,000,thanthose
withoutdisability(45%)(Exhibit26).Similarly,incomelevels
ofsamesexmarriedtechworkersinDCarehigherthannon
samesexmarriedworkers.Fiftysevenpercentofsamesex
marriedtechworkersmakeover$80,000,whilethefigureis
45%fornonsamesexmarriedworkers(Exhibit28).

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit28

Incomedisparitybetweengendergroupsisnoticeablyhigher
thanitisforotherdemographics.Only35%offemaleworkers
earnmorethan$80,000comparedto51%ofmales(Exhibit
27).Asmightbeexpected,incomelevelscorrelatewithage;
oldertechworkersearnhighersalaries(Exhibit29).
Thedatarevealsthatonceonehasenteredthetechindustry,
successisnotdistinctlyaectedbyindividualcharacteristics.
Barrierstoentry,however,arehigh,especiallythebarrierof
education.
Exhibit25

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

24DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Exhibit29

Source:IntegratedPublicUseMicrodataSeries

Entrepreneurship
GrowinganecosystemwherediverseentrepreneurscanthrivewillhelptheDistrictattracttalent,enable
entrepreneurialresidents,andestablishitselfasapremierhubfortechinclusion.

Interview and
Focus Group Findings

likethemselvesorthosewhomatchtheprofileofpreviously
successfulfounders,thusperpetuatingalackofdiversity
amongfundedcompanies.Thoseentrepreneurswho
arrangemeetingswithinvestorsareoftenunequippedto
pitchtheirideaseectively.

Accesstosocial,human,andfinancialcapitalcomprisethe
mostsignificantbarrierstoentryandsuccessfor
underrepresentedentrepreneurs.TheDistrictwasdescribed
byparticipantsaslesscollaborativethanmajorwestcoast
centersofinnovation.Thoughmanyresourcesareavailable
forentrepreneurs,theyarediuseanddiculttolocate
withoutaccesstoamyriadofsocialnetworks.

ThoughtheDistrictoersanimpressivesuiteoftax
incentivestomaturetechfirms,theyoerlimitedincentives
forearlystagestartups,thataremostinneed.TheDistrict
hasfoundsuccesswithmanyofitsinvestmentsinthetech
industryandthereisanopportunitytoexpanduponthisby
dispersingresourcestobusinessesatvariousstagesof
growth.

Surveyparticipants,mostofwhomarediverse
entrepreneurs,policyadvocatesandprofessionalsinthe
District,ratedDCsinclusivenessatanaverage5.2outof10
(Exhibit30).DCisamoreinclusivecityintheeyesof
newcomers.Thosewithover7yearsofresidenceinDCrated
itsinclusivenessatanaverage4.8,whereasthosewith
shortertenuresgaveahigherratingonaverage(Exhibit31).
Asthemajorityoftheparticipantsinthesurveywerelong
termresidents,thisloweredtheoverallrating.Moreover,out
ofthosethatexpressedanopinion,69%saidthatDCison
parwith,ormarginallybetterthanothercities.

AsignificantbarriertoentryintheDistrictsecosystemby
diversefoundersisthelackofrolemodels.Therearefew
examplesofsuccessfultechnologistsorentrepreneursfrom
underrepresentedcommunities.Thislackofvisibility
discourageswouldbeentrepreneursfrompursuingtheir
ideasentirely,orperseveringthroughinevitablechallenges.
TheDistrictneedstoimproveitscultureofinclusion.Many
entrepreneursfeeluncomfortableorunwelcomeatthe
Districtslargesthubsofinnovation,majortech
entrepreneurshipevents,andeveninprogramsdesignedto
improvetheirsuccess.

Accesstocapitalwasidentifiedmostfrequentlybysurveyed
entrepreneurs(58%)asabarriertoinclusivenessinDC,
followedbyimplicitbias(48%),accesstonetworks(48%),
andaccesstotalentenablementprograms(23%).Venture
capitaliststendtoinvestincompaniesfoundedbypeople

Exhibit31

Exhibit30

Source:GhostNoteMedia

Source:GhostNoteMedia

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY25


Exhibit32

Exhibit33

Source:USCensusData

Source:USCensusData

Exhibit34

Exhibit35

Source:USCensusData
Source:USCensusData

Exhibit36

Source:AnalysisoftheNationalVentureCapitalAssociation

26DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

Insights

Hispanicmen.Thereisasignificantownershipimbalance.
Thisareaofinclusionoersaconsiderableopportunityfor

TheDistricthasasignificantamountofstartupactivity,but

partnership,interventionandgrowth(Exhibit34).

littleofthisisoccurringwithindiversecommunities.Tech
startupactivityischallengingtotrackasideasand

SuccessofDiverseGroupsasEntrepreneurs

companiesriseandfallquickly,oftenwithoutocial

Inadditiontohigherlevelsofparticipationinthe

documentation.TogaugethelevelofinclusionwithinDCs

entrepreneurialcommunity,Whiteentrepreneursinthis

techentrepreneurcommunity,thisstudytracksasampling

samplingoffirmsdemonstratesignificantlymoresuccessin

ofestablishedtechbusiness,aswellasresultsofasurvey

termsofstasizeandtotalsalescomparedtootherraces

conductedbyGhostNoteMediaarespecteddigitalmedia

andethnicities.EvenamongWhiteownedfirms,thereis

firmdedicatedtothegrowthofdiverseinnovation

disparitybetweenmenandwomenownedcompaniesin

companies.Exhibitsoerrepresentativebusinessactivity,

termsofsalesvolumeandnumberofemployees;mensfirms

butnotthetotalpopulationoffirms.

employnearlysixtimestheemployeesandyieldfivetimes
thesalesofwomensbusinesses(Exhibit35).

ParticipationofDiverseGroupsasEntrepreneurs
Basedonasamplingofbusinesses,Whitemendominatethe

AccesstoCapital

InformationTechindustryintheDistrict.Ofbusinesses

Accesstocapitalatallstagesofacompanyslifecycleisa

surveyed,WhitemaleownedITfirmswithpaidemployees

criticalingredienttogrowasuccessfulentrepreneurial

outnumbersimilarBlackmaleownedfirmsatarateof34:1.

ecosystem.WhiletheDistricthasseencapitalpeaksand

ThoughWhitewomenarerepresented,Whitemaleowned

valleys,thereistypicallylimitedstartupandearlystage

ITfirmswithpaidemployeesoutnumberWhitewomen

fundingavailabletoentrepreneurs(Exhibit36).Thisissueis

ownedfirmsatarateof3:1.TherearesimilarcountsofAsian

compoundedforinnovatorsfromdiversebackgroundswho

andBlackownedfirmswithemployees,however,forfirms

oftenlackthebusinessnetworkandsocialcapitalto

withoutemployees,Blackentrepreneursarepresentatthree

fundraiseeectively.AsurveyofdiversemembersofDCs

timestherateofAsianowners(Exhibit32,33).

techentrepreneurshipecosystemshowedthatlessthanhalf

oftheentrepreneurshadbeenabletoobtainfundingfor

Specificdemographicsshowinterestingfeaturesthatcanbe

theircompanies.Interestingly,thosewhodid,received

builtuponastheDistrictanditspartnersworktogrowa

between$100,000and$1million,suggestingthattheirideas

moreinclusiveecosystem.Amongsurveyedfirms,Blackand

andcompanieswereperceivedtobegoodinvestments.

HispanicwomenownmoreITbusinessesthantheirmale

Noneoftheseentrepreneursobtainedfundingfromventure

counterparts.Blackwomenownedfirmswithandwithout

capitalfirms.Halfreceivedfundingfromangelinvestorsand

employeesslightlyoutnumberBlackmenownedfirms.

philanthropicgiving,andtheremainingfoundersreliedon

FirmswithemployeesthatareownedbyHispanicwomen

friendsandfamilyortheirpersonalsavingsandcreditcards.

arerepresentedatfourtimestherateofthoseownedby

BarrierstoTechInclusionforEntrepreneurs

Socialnetworksoeringcritical
successfactorsarenot
frequentedby
underrepresented
entrepreneurs

Underrepresented
entrepreneurshavelimited
accesstocapital

Underrepresented
entrepreneurslackvisibility

DCGovernmentprograms
donotpromoteinclusion

LimitedmentorshipforBlack
entrepreneurs

VCsinvestinpeoplelike
themselves;fewfirmshave
diversity

Fewmodelsofsuccessful
entrepreneursateventsorin
media

Resourcesaremisallocated
shouldbespreadtomany
companies,notfocusedon
few

Incentivesarenotavailable
attheangel/seedlevel

Fewmodelsofsuccessin
techateventsorinmedia

Entrepreneursare
unpreparedforinvestor
pitches

Limitedmediacoverageof
Blackentrepreneurs
obtainingfunding

Nodefinitivesourcefor
resourcespeoplerelyontheir
networks
DCisnotcollaborative
DCisriskaverse

Governmentdoesnot
partnerwithentrepreneursin
themarketplace

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY27

28DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

A Call to Action

Implementation
defined by Collaboration and Inclusion

ThePathwaystoInclusionReportseekstobuildupontheDistrictofColumbiasdynamicand
growingeconomy,richintalentanddiverseindustries.TheDistrictalsoembodiesarichand
diversesetofculturesandtraditionsestablishedbylongtermresidentsandagrowinginfluxof
newresidents,allofwhominfuseourtechecosystemwithbigandboldideas.FortheDistrict
ofColumbiatoremainonthecuttingedgeoftechentrepreneurship,itiscriticaltogrowan
inclusiveecosystemthatwelcomesandleveragesdiverseideasandtapsintonewmarkets.

Theprecedingrecommendationsrequirevaryingdegreesofeort,timeandresources.Forthe
comingmonthsandyears,theMayorsInnovationandTechnologyInclusionCouncil,together
withtheDistrictgovernment,willleadtheimplementationoftherecommendations.Forsome
initiatives,strategicpartnershavealreadybeenidentified.Fromstarttofinish,the
implementationwillbeacollaborative,andalsoaninclusiveendeavor.Theresponsibilityfalls
oneverypartoftheDistricttorealizethevisionofgrowingthemostinclusive,fastgrowing
techecosysteminthecountry.

Given the strength of our

diversity, I firmly believe the
District is uniquely positioned
to be a national model for
technology inclusion and
entrepreneurship.
Mayor Muriel Bowser

DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY29

Acknowledgements
ExecutiveCommittee
BrianKenner
DCOceoftheDeputyMayorfor
PlanningandEconomic
Development

AndrewTrueblood
DCOceoftheDeputyMayorfor
PlanningandEconomic
Development

KarimaWoods
DCOceoftheDeputyMayorfor
PlanningandEconomic
Development

JoycelynJames
DCOceoftheDeputyMayorfor
PlanningandEconomic
Development

ErinHorneMcKinney
DCOceoftheDeputyMayorfor
PlanningandEconomic
Development(formerly)

Consultants

JayBrown
Alvarez&Marsal

JeniferBoss
Alvarez&Marsal

SoojiIm
Alvarez&Marsal

SpecialAdvisors

BarronH.Harvey
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

AnthonyWilson
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

DiversityAdvisors

BrandonEllis
GhostNote

StevenJumper
GhostNote

AdelekeOmitowoju
GhostNote

ReggieSnowden
GhostNote

StudentAdvisors

VictorAdimoraegbu
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

FelixAsamoahDarko
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

MoniqueHughes
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

UchennaC.Onwuegbusi
HowardUniversity
SchoolofBusiness

InterviewandFocusGroup
Participants

LaurenAllen
DCPublicSchools

VictoriaBaatinMurray
DCCommissiononArtsand
Humanities

JosephBestJames
VanillaFrame

MoniqueBiviere
ByteBack

CharlesBunton
LittleMathGenius

DeborahCarrol
DCDepartmentofEmployment
Services

AlfredoCasta
CascadesTech

KimCherry
DCPublicSchools

MauritaColey
MulticulturalMedia,Telecomand
InternetCouncil

AnnaConsani
SpringBoard

WayneCurtis
UniversityoftheDistrictof
Columbia

MichaelDigafe
IBM

RonEstrada
UnivisionCommunicationsInc.

ShereeFinley
DCDepartmentofEmployment
Services

AaronFitzgerald
Ncrease

MayaGarcia
DCOceoftheState
SuperintendentofEducation

30DISTRICTOFCOLUMBIATECHINCLUSIONSTRATEGY

DeanGarfield
InformationTechnologyIndustry
Council

LawrenceGreenberg
TheMotleyFool

KatiaGrigoriants
CarnegieAcademyforScience
Education

AmandaGuzman
LumiaCapital

AnthonyHayter
Stemboard

MikeHealy
Nextility

SheilaHerrling
CASEFoundation

RobertHolm
OnRampstoCareers;
McKinleyTechHighSchool,
Washington,DC

EricaJacquez
GirlsInc.DC

MarkJ.Jeach
CommunityTech

MichaelJohnson
PreneurHub

MarlenaJones
CarnegieAcademyforScience
Education

LisaJones
SafeTComm,Inc

SakinaKhan
DCOceofPlanning

CaesarLayton
CultivateVentures

CurvinLeatham
AreaProve

MarkLevine
CoreCapital

ElizabethLindsey
ByteBack

YohanceMaqubela
CourtlandBusinessGroup

WorkuMengesha
DCOceoftheChiefTechnology
Ocer

UniqueMorrisHughes
DCDepartmentofEmployment
Services

PamelaNieto
GreaterWashingtonHispanic
ChamberofCommerce

MaximePaul
PitchLove

GerrenPrice
DCDepartmentofEmployment
Services

PhilReeves
DCDepartmentofSmallandLocal
BusinessDevelopment
(formerly)

AngelRich
TheWealthFactory

AdamRubinson
Deloitte

RyanRoss
HalcyonIncubator

SageSalvo
WordsLiive

AdamSegal
Cove

MeetaSharmaHolt
Techbridge

JuliaSpicer
MidAtlanticVentureAssociation

DelanoSquires
DCOceoftheChief
TechnologyOcer

SamSwiller
GallaudetUniversity

BockSzymkowicz
ByteBack

EdithWestfall
CommunityCollegeoftheDistrict
ofColumbia

SueP.White
InstituteforEducationResources

GeorgeWilliams
DCPublicLibrary

MarullusWillams
LimbicSystems

InternetAccess
TrainingAccess
DeviceAccess
Acomprehensiveapproachtousetechto
closethedigitaldivide;toensurethatall
underrepresentedgroupsarefullandac
tiveparticipants
Everyoneinvolvedinunderstandingof
andaccesstothetechindustry

Thecreationofanenvironmentthat
includesavarietyoftechskillsets
andexperiences

Visiblerolemodelsthat
otherscanfollow

Ensuringthatprogramsthatareoeredrespect
everyonesvoiceandprovidethemsomethinguseful

Everyonebeingonandconnectedtoopportunities
thattechpresents;age,ethnicity,gender,digitally
literateornot