Black Tech Professionals’ Community-First Networking Platform DebutsBlack Tech Professionals’ Community-First Networking Platform Debuts

Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) marked Black History Month with the launch of Obsidi by BPTN. Obsidi is a multisided networking platform to help bridge the network gap and help Black professionals level up their careers.It lets member “Be Seen. Be Connected.”

According to the Harvard Business Review, Blacks represent 12% of the U.S. workforce. But only 1.9% of tech executives and 5.3% of tech professionals are Afro American. Those figures reflect the difficulties Blacks experience in an industry traditionally dominated by white males.

BPTN’s Lekan Olawoye

Lekan Olawoye is founder and CEO of BPTN. “For years, there has been a hunger within the Black community for a formula to crack the tech career code,” he said. “Obsidi is that conduit to opportunities and real success for Black professionals. We’re about to disrupt the Black tech space so that more Black talent can build community and get opportunities to take their career to the next level. Obsidi is the next big thing; we’re unapologetically Black, and we’re proud to drop this gem during Black History Month.

“Obsidi is the place for Black professionals to connect globally. We look at Black people around the world, and we connect. But we’ve never had a place professionally at scale to connect. And what I hear every single day from Black professionals across technology, around North America, is this: ‘I’m tired of being the only.’”

Be Seen. Be Connected.

BPTN members can use Obsidi to build relationships and network within the Black tech professional community. In addition, they can see new tech job postings and learn about the latest industry news and trends. Corporate partners can use Obsidi to support the career growth of Black professionals and diversify their workforces by recruiting from within the talent pool of members.

BPTN’s Finide Dittimi

“Obsidi is a user-friendly platform and all features were created to get Black professionals seen and connected,” said Finide Dittimi, head of product strategy for BPTN. “Pages like My Tribe build strong community support. Tea Spot shows the latest job posts for Black professionals, and the resume upload feature makes it easier for Black professionals to market themselves. The platform is in its beginner stages, but we have a lot more coming soon.”

A Feeling of Belonging

BPTN’s Diavin Miller

“Over the past few years, Black professionals have requested three things from our community,” said Diavin Miller, BPTN’s head of customer experience. “They want to connect with other professionals, share experiences and feel like they belong in tech. They want to deepen their learning in the tech space, and they want to grow their careers. Obsidi is that community-first platform built by and for Black professionals. Wait until you see what we’ll do for learning and career growth.”

With 50,000 members, BPTN is the largest Black community of tech and professionals in North America. Founded in 2018, BPTN provides Black technical and business professionals with access to senior executive sponsorship, skills building and a strong peer network to level up their careers.

BPTN partners with companies to hire, train and retain Black professionals for more diversity. Among their partners are AWS, Deloitte, HPE, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, Softchoic and Teksystems.

Black professionals looking to level up their careers and companies wanting to transform their diversity and inclusion strategy can join Obsidi at no cost.