As the number of Black people working in technology increases, we continue to see more rise to the upper echelons of the tech world. Here is a list of 13 Blacks influencing technology today, according to Business Insider.
Condoleezza Rice, Board of Directors, Dropbox
Earlier this month, online storage startup Dropbox added Condoleezza Rice to its board of directors.
As the former secretary of state and an adviser to the National Security Agency, having someone like Rice as a liaison to Washington, D.C., could be very helpful to Dropbox.
At the same time, though, her history as an official in the Bush Administration is stirring up controversy. Protests on social media say she is a controversial figure after revelations of widespread wiretapping on US citizens during her time in office, as reported by BBC News.
Dropbox has raised over $1 billion to date and employs 698 people.
Ade Olonoh, CEO, Formspring
Ade Olonoh is the co-founder and CEO of Formspring, a social network that helped people find out more about each other.
Prior to founding Formspring, Olonoh founded online form building Formstack. Formspring has taken $14.3 million in funding and has about 12 employees. In 2013, Spring.me acquired Formspring’s assets and rebranded it.
Sheldon Gilbert, Founder and CEO, Proclivity
Sheldon Gilbert is the founder and chief executive of Proclivity Media, a company that specializes in digital advertising technologies.
Founded six years ago, Proclivity uses a retailer’s e-commerce data to best predict and match companies with ad placements that will bring in the most sales.
Proclivity has raised $8.82 million in funding and has eight employees.