Standing Firm in Power and Pride: Why Black History Month Matters in Tech

Every October, Black History Month gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and learn. It’s a time to celebrate the legacy of Black pioneers, acknowledge the work still to be done, and recommit to shaping a more inclusive future.

This year’s theme - “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” - resonates deeply with the technology sector. Power and pride are more than words. In our industry, they speak to who gets to innovate, who gets to lead, and who feels seen, heard, and supported as they do so.

At TIEVA, we’re proud to be marking Black History Month 2025 alongside many of our technology partners. But we also know this isn’t about one month of awareness. It’s about sustained, meaningful action - the kind that helps create an industry where everyone can thrive.

Why This Year’s Theme Matters to Tech

Black History Month 2025 honours both the past and the future. It commemorates key milestones - like the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act and the Bristol Bus Boycott - while calling for continued empowerment, visibility, and change.

In tech, that call feels particularly urgent. While innovation is our bread and butter, the industry has historically struggled with representation - especially at leadership levels.

There are signs of progress. A 2024 survey by Tech Talent Charter found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds now make up 25% of the UK tech workforce, compared to just 12% in the wider UK workforce. But that diversity isn’t reflected at the top: only 14% of senior tech leaders are from ethnic minority groups, and Black professionals remain particularly underrepresented in leadership roles and startup investment. Black founders receive less than 1% of venture capital funding in the UK (Extend Ventures).

This imbalance is particularly striking in an industry with one of the most internationally diverse leadership bases. Tech Nation reports that nearly 18% of UK tech directors are non-British nationals, compared to just 13% in other industries - proof that global experience is welcomed, but ethnic representation within the UK itself still lags behind.

That’s where this year’s theme - Standing Firm in Power and Pride - cuts through.

• Power speaks to influence - not just who’s in the room, but who’s shaping the tools, policies, and platforms that define modern life.
• Pride is about identity, heritage, and the importance of celebrating Black excellence in all its forms - from the stories we tell to the systems we build.

Representation in tech isn’t just about fairness - it’s essential to progress. When more voices are at the table, we build better, more inclusive solutions for everyone.

What Our Partners Are Doing

Across our partner ecosystem, we’ve seen some powerful initiatives that align with this year’s theme - not just during Black History Month, but as part of longer-term commitments to inclusion:

• Microsoft continues to support its BAM community while providing inclusive leadership resources for businesses around the world. www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/inside- microsoft/
• HP partners with schools and universities to open up pathways into tech, helping create a future pipeline of Black talent. Have a look at the HPE STEM Discovery program here.
• Dell spotlights the lived experiences of Black team members and invests in early-career development through partnerships and mentoring.
• Cisco has built a global Connected Black Professionals network, encouraging advocacy, allyship, and professional growth.
• Lenovo champions “Diversity by Design,” embedding inclusion into its product development and workplace culture.

These aren’t standalone campaigns - they’re part of how these organisations are working to shift the balance of power and pride in the industry.

How TIEVA is Celebrating Black History Month

At TIEVA, we believe that education is a key driver of change. That’s why we’re using Black History Month to share resources, spark discussion, and encourage reflection within our team.

We’re also highlighting the importance of leadership development as a core part of our inclusion strategy. Through our learning and development programmes, we support all team members to grow their careers, build confidence, and move into leadership roles - because true equity includes opportunity.

And while we’re proud to celebrate this month, we also know that inclusion is a journey - not a calendar event. We’re committed to listening, learning, and continuing to build a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered.

A Future Shaped By All Of Us

This year’s theme is more than a tribute to the past. It’s a challenge to the present - to stand firm in what matters, and to build the future boldly and proudly. In tech, that means questioning systems that exclude, championing talent that’s been overlooked, and making room for the voices that will lead us forward.

We’re proud to stand with our partners, our team, and our wider community to celebrate Black History Month - and to continue the work it calls us to do.