Congressmen Cleaver and Jeffries Call for More Diversity within Tech Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) recently submitted a letter to the Department of Labor asking for technology companies that hold sizable government contracts to develop written affirmative-action programs. The letter, which can be found here, is cosigned by several members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force.

While there has been growth in other industries regarding African-American employment, there is considerable underrepresentation of African-Americans in the technology industry.

"We've heard the excuse from some tech companies that there aren't enough African American applicants, but that is just not the case. African-Americans are majoring and graduating in computer science, they just aren't being hired in reasonable numbers," said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

"We must do everything possible to make sure all Americans can benefit from the opportunity and prosperity of the 21st Century innovation and technology economy," said Congressman Jeffries. "Companies that profit from government contracts should help lead the effort to diversify the industry."

"By the year 2020, there will be 1.4 million new tech jobs. Clearly, technology jobs are the future. Sadly, African Americans and other people of color are all too often locked out of these good-paying and rewarding careers," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair of the CBC TECH 2020 Initiative. "I urge the Department of Labor, federal contractors and technology companies to continue working towards full inclusion for people of color in this booming industry. Our workforce of the future should reflect the incredible diversity of our nation."

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2012-2013, about 6,000 African American students earned computer and information science degrees in the U.S. However, minorities hired by some of the largest tech companies in Silicon Valley are virtually non-existent. As of 2014, the percentage of African Americans who work within technology companies whom hold sizable government contracts, was only 4.3 percent.

Congressmen Cleaver and Jeffries urged the DOL in their letter to encourage government contracted tech companies to abide by federal regulations that require contractors with 50 or more employees to develop written affirmative action programs for each of its establishments.

"It is alarming how many companies are able to secure government contracts without any checks and balances on their company's diversity efforts, plans, and supporting data…this is not a game, it is the law," wrote Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

The eight co-signers of the letter are Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), and Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02).

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov.