Join the people-people in tech that are empowering diverse talent and creating inclusive opportunities with Baltimore’s startups.
From: Eden Ryan, Head of the Baltimore Tracks Steering Committee
When I first moved to Baltimore in 2021, it was my first time living in a city and I was worried about not having the same sense of community that I had in Georgia. However, the tech community, as well as the broader Baltimore City community, soon charmed me with its small town vibes. Baltimore city was the perfect blend of small town community and progressive ideas that I could stand behind. One of those ideas was Baltimore Tracks. The idea behind Baltimore Tracks was simple: how do we make sure the business success of Baltimore includes the majority of the population of Baltimore?
Baltimore is a city of passionate people who wish to thrive, but are not always provided the opportunities that others may have been afforded through higher education, financial stability, and business connections. Baltimore Tracks was founded in 2020 with the goal of helping to resolve this issue by increasing opportunities for people of color in Baltimore.
Our members are tech and tech-enabled companies who are either headquartered in Baltimore, or are seeking to expand their talent pool in the Baltimore area. We aim to help bridge the historical divide between the local workforce and the business community.
We encourage our members to support the following initiatives in their hiring, and with their staff:
- Remove degree requirements in the hiring process (exception: roles that require licensure or certification such as MD, JD, CPA, etc.).
- Pay interns.
- Measure results through a DEI audit (either through BT or on their own).
- Share qualified candidates.
- Share best practices.
By removing barriers to entry, and encouraging the hiring of candidates from nontraditional backgrounds to be better positioned to build more creative and innovative teams while also supporting our neighbors.
This year, we’re working on a revamp of Baltimore Tracks, and we need your support. We are aiming to grow our membership, commit to more action-oriented tactics, and offer more in-person events. Over the next year, we are planning to raise money to support the mission, conduct a DEI survey, and focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in support of our community. Please join us! Visit our website and reach out to our steering committee members: Eden Ryan or Meredith Bennett. If you’re not able to make it to Equitech Tuesday, but want to learn more/get involved – reach out too!
We’re thrilled that Baltimore Tracks will collaborate with UpSurge for an Equitech Tuesday on August 20th from 6-8 pm at the Guilford Hall Brewery. The gathering is open to all members of the tech community, but we’re hoping to meet other HR professionals, or the people-people in tech & startups who are working on building inclusive and innovative teams.
See you there,
Eden Ryan