By: Bobbie Travis, Splunk
Date: Monday, November 14, 2022
At Splunk, we explore innovative ways to turn data into doing, which allows us to collaborate and tell stories about how data positively impacts our customers, community, and employee experience. On October 19, 2022, Splunk’s Black Employees and Mentors (BEAMs) ERG and allies turned data into doing by participating in a volunteer opportunity: Tech Slam Formula 1 event to showcase Splunks products to underrepresented youth and bridge the opportunity gap.
Creating Access to the Tech Industry Through Tech Slam
The purpose of this event was to amplify the mission of the non-profit organization, The Hidden Genius Project (THGP), as they serve to empower and uplift young black men and youth of color by affording them opportunities to learn, innovate, and become technology leaders.
Tech Slam is a one-day sports and technology exposure catalyst event, encouraging young people—particularly youth of color—to explore exciting technology used today in the sports industry while building upon the strengths they already possess.
Approximately 30 youths attended from two Austin area High Schools: LBJ Early College High School and Manor New Tech High School. Smartsheet Sponsor X and McLaren hosted the event in collaboration with Splunk and other tech company partners committed to the event’s success.
Bridging A Three-Way Partnership
Splunk x McLaren+Smartsheet x The Hidden Genius Project (THGP)
Splunk is a major sponsor of McLaren’s real-life Formula 1 and has sponsored the non-profit organization The Hidden Genius Project since forming a partnership with them in 2019 through BEAMs.
Ahead of the much anticipated F1 Grand Prix race, THGP shared with the founder of BEAMs – Antoinette Raines, Sr. System Admin, a partnership opportunity available for Splunk: Tech Slam Austin in collaboration with McLaren and Smartsheet. THGP thought it would be a perfect opportunity to work with two organizations that Splunk partners with (THGP/McLaren) to bring Tech Slam to Austin.
Through these unprecedented times, we at Splunk know how important it is to bridge the data divide for communities of color who lack access to educational resources in STEM. Splunk’s BEAMs ERG made it a priority to ensure we were present and could support these underrepresented youth. We wanted to not only create a bridge in this three-way partnership, but we came to inspire these youth so that they know there is a place for them in tech. [To continue reading, click HERE.]
