DATE: 06/04/2021
BIT-NASHVILLE PARTNERS WITH THE NASHVILLE TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL TO DIVERSIFY MUSIC CITY’S TECH PIPELINE
The Nashville chapter of the Blacks in Technology Foundation (BIT-Nashville) has partnered with the Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC) to diversify Nashville’s tech talent pipeline.
In an effort to grow and connect the Nashville black technology community, the cofounders of Rachel + Winfree Consulting – Holly Rachel and Lena Winfree – have co-organized the new Nashville chapter of BIT.
BIT is a global non-profit with over 13,000 members in 7 countries around the world. The goal of the organization is to increase the number of black people in tech, while facilitating the advancement of those already in the industry.
According to Holly Rachel, 33, BIT-Nashville co-organizer and President: “Lena and I have been involved with the NTC since we founded Rachel + Winfree, and we appreciate the community that it has built and continues to build.
“Therefore, partnering with the NTC was a logical next step for us after we formed BIT-Nashville. We want to make sure the black tech community is plugged in to this hub of tech activity and growth. We are looking forward to working with the NTC team to bring value to our members!
“The NTC already has lots of great initiatives that focus on developing the Nashville tech pipeline. BIT-Nashville looks forward to our members and the black tech community participating in and supporting these initiatives, as well as collaborating with the NTC to help them reach their goal of increasing the diversity of the Nashville tech community”
Membership into BIT is free, and many of the training programs they offer are free or subsidized by corporate sponsors, some of which include Disney, Citi, and Kronos.
Member perks of the BIT Foundation include funding for technical certifications and nano-degrees, technical apprenticeships, contract-to-hire programs, computer and broadband subsidies for low income households, and soft skills training such as resume writing and interview prep.
Holly Rachel adds, “It’s important to continue to build the Nashville tech pipeline as more technology-driven companies start in and relocate to Nashville. Building the diversity of that pipeline is equally as important to make sure that all communities can be lifted and enriched by the city’s growth. ”
BIT-Nashville represents the latest in over 40 chapters of the BIT Foundation. Prospective members can join their local chapter at Foundation.BlacksInTechnology.net. The Blacks In Technology Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entity of Blacks in Technology, LLC.
For media inquiries contact: Holly Rachel, President and co-organizer, Pres@bitnash.org
