📣🚨 Action Alert | Black Women Are Thought Leaders, Too. IDC Should Act Like It.

International Data Corporation (IDC) describes itself as “the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.” Based on that description, one would think that a conference run by such a company would feature a diverse group of speakers. A company who is advising others on such an integral part of society — technology — would certainly include an equal number of women, who make up half of that society, and, more importantly, Black women when putting their speaker list together, right?

WRONG. Check out these numbers for their IDC Directions 2021 conference to be held March 9 & 16 — 24 men, 13 women, and only 2 women of color, neither of whom are Black. Industry thought leaders are not all white and not all men. For a conference with a tagline that reads “delivering digital resiliency in a changed world”, it seems to miss a key contributing factor that actually builds resilience.

Until event organizers act on this by making gender balance and inclusion a base requirement, especially those who are planning conferences touting advice for the future, representation will not be equitable and their findings, conclusions, and networking powers will be less comprehensive and productive.

Get it together, IDC!

When orgs like @IDC omit Black women’s voices at #IDCDirections, they perpetuate the idea that thought leaders = white men. It’s time to put more effort into making sure all voices are heard, because vital leaders are being overlooked. #GenderAvenger https://www.genderavenger.com/blog/action-alert-black-women-are-thought-leaders-too-idc