Google and Howard University Join Forces to Cultivate Diversity in Tech Industry

In a cooperative venture designed to foster diversity within the tech industry, Google is joining hands with Howard University, a respected Washington DC based institution, to establish an initiative titled “Howard West.”

The aim of Howard West is straightforward: to mentor and prepare hundreds of skilled black computer science graduates, future pioneers envisaged to craft the realm of technology into a stronger and more comprehensive reflection of the contemporary world. This announcement, as per the official [Howard University website](http://newsroom.howard.edu/content/howard-university-partners-google-launch-howard-west), poises the program for success through a blending of Howard’s outstanding faculty and Google’s extensive expertise.

To widen its recruitment pool, Google will usher in between 25-30 students this summer. Over a period of 12 weeks, these students will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge directly from Google’s seasoned engineers. This program aims to tap into the potential of many African American students studying computer science, who despite accounting for over a third of such courses, often find themselves overlooked for coveted Silicon Valley jobs post-graduation.

Diversity within Silicon Valley has remained a pressing and long-standing topic for debate. This conversation is particularly poignant considering the facts: immigrants, who make up an abundant portion of those breaking through with billion-dollar startups (51 percent in the United States), establish over half of U.S.-based startups valued at $1 billion or more.

The impetus behind Google’s commitment to fostering this program is its aim to effectively increase the representation of African Americans within its workforce. Currently, African Americans make up about 1 percent of Google’s workforce, particularly in tech roles. Through their partnership with Howard University, Google aims to transform those figures and foster an environment that is equally representative and diverse.

The Howard West initiative is an ambitious stride towards creating a more inclusive tech industry, embodying a genuine reflection of our diverse society and driving future innovations to be reputable for all.

[Google and Howard University Collaboration](https://blog.google/topics/diversity/howard-university-opens-new-campus-googleplex/) for more information on this inspiring partnership.