SnackWalls

E62 Kim Crowder: Bridges or Barriers

• Mike Roberts • Season 1 • Episode 62

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Happy hump day! This show is soooo good, it's sure to hold you off till the next episode on Friday. Enjoy!

Kim believes that the tech world as a whole needs to reflect on issues with diversity in the workplace. The industry needs to identify common recruiting practices that contribute to the problem. If they own the problem, then they can begin to address solutions. There likely won't be a quick and easy fix, but as a group an innovative solution can be found. In regards to dropping the CS degree requirement for tech roles, Kim says that companies should evaluate whether this is a barrier or bridge to the organization. If it is a barrier, how do you get rid of it and build a bridge that helps you find the talented people you seek. She thinks the apprenticeship model can help the tech industry find diverse talent, but it will only work if they provide access to people from backgrounds who may not otherwise have an opportunity to work in this space. You need people of privilege to use their privilege in order to move people forward. If you are looking for a way to retain diverse talent Kim says you have to make sure that people feel psychologically safe to be their full selves within your organization. Employees want to be seen as a human person and want their skills utilized in an equitable way across the board.

Kim Crowder is the founder and CEO of Kim Crowder Consulting. She helps organizations embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism into their workplace DNA. She has been named by Forbes as an anti-racist educator your company needs now. Kim’s been featured on Hubspot's The Growth Show, been featured in The New York Times and has worked with leaders from Fortune 100 companies. She is a powerhouse keynote speaker and a vivacious vocalist.

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