Inclusion, Diversity, and Racial Justice

The technology industry is committed to promoting an inclusive workforce and nation that reflects the diversity of our customers and people.  To ensure that our economy remains robust and innovative, we support education, workforce development, and immigration policies that empower the best and brightest people to continue making important contributions to our nation and communities.  TechNet opposes all forms of discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, or gender identity.

• TechNet believes systemic inequities exist in American society. TechNet supports both private sector and public policy solutions that help close opportunity gaps beginning with six key areas: education, employment, health, finance, including access to capital for entrepreneurs, housing, and the administration of justice.  Systemic inequalities in these six areas perpetuate broader inequalities in our society, hold back individual and business success and hinder economic growth.
• TechNet believes Black lives matter and stands in solidarity with Black Americans and peaceful efforts to focus attention on the issue of systemic racism and inequities.
• TechNet believes Congress and the Administration should work together to craft a bipartisan, comprehensive policing reform bill to address systemic racism and inequities in the administration of justice nationwide.
• TechNet urges Congress to work together with the private sector to remove institutional barriers to opportunity and move more swiftly toward full equality in our civic life and in our economy for all Americans.
• TechNet believes the right to vote is fundamental, and that every citizen should have free, fair, and safe access to the ballot box.
• TechNet applauds the 2020 Supreme Court decision ruling on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination against LGTBQ+ workers, and urges Congress to pass legislation achieving full equality under the law for LGBTQ+ Americans.
• TechNet supports efforts to codify marriage equality.
• TechNet supports promoting a highly qualified, more diverse workforce by ensuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities have the appropriate federal support to offer their students sufficient opportunities in the STEM disciplines, or science, technology, engineering, and math. TechNet also believes the private sector has an important role to play in both supporting and focusing its recruitment efforts on these institutions.
• TechNet supports policies and programs that focus on engaging and providing opportunities for underrepresented communities, namely students and workers, by cultivating skills in STEM and computer science.
• TechNet encourages the National Science Foundation to more equitably allocate funding for research with a focus on early childhood and to support research on the factors that encourage or discourage girls to engage in STEM activities, including computer science. TechNet also supports increased funding for programs that help girls learn computer science.
• TechNet supports legislation that improves corporate governance by increasing transparency of the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of their boards of directors, nominees for the boards of directors, and executive officers. TechNet also supports the public disclosure of any plan to promote racial, ethnic, and gender diversity among these groups.
• TechNet supports diversity, equity, and inclusion training throughout the American workforce.