Inequity in the technology industry is evident and measurable. The 2019 AIGA Design Census reported that only 3% of designers in the US are Black. And this is not just happening in the West, it is a huge problem across the world. In Africa, the unrepresented population of tech talents faces significant challenges in getting their voices heard in the global design industry.
You probably fall into the category of tech prospects who doubt if there will ever be tech diversity. But here is some good news for you. In 2022 alone, African tech start-ups have raised over $7 billion (about $22 per person in the US) in funding. This is to tell you that there are tech opportunities in Africa and people are utilizing them quickly. We know that many organizations are out there trying to close the diversity gap; Brave Achievers is also working towards an industry filled with Black creatives. Our focus is to give you a platform to learn and sound the alarm on how designers should be employed by merit.
Design should be for everybody, and we know this is a hard feat to achieve. This is why the idea of partnering is plausible. Partnering can help bridge this gap and create opportunities for unrepresented tech talents to break into the industry. By working together, established design professionals and emerging talents can collaborate, share ideas and insights, and create a more inclusive design community that benefits everyone.
Now, let’s discuss how and why Africans are underrepresented in the design industry and how Brave Achievers is looking to bridge that diversity gap.
Problem of African Diversity in Design
Design is a field that encompasses a wide range of industries, from graphic design to product design. Unfortunately, Africans are generally underrepresented in the design industry, with very few African designers gaining recognition on the global stage. There are a few reasons for this, and we will discuss them in more detail below.
One major reason why Africans are sparsely represented in the design industry is due to the lack of access to education and resources. In many African countries, education is not prioritized, and the resources necessary to learn about design and its various disciplines are limited. As a result, you might not have the opportunity to receive formal training or access to the necessary resources to develop your skills. This will limit your ability to pursue a career in design. This will also reduce the overall pool of talented designers.
Another reason is that the design industry is not always seen as a viable career path in many African countries. Parents often encourage their children to pursue more traditional careers, such as medicine, law, or engineering, rather than creative fields. It is very possible that you have heard this from your parents before just because they don’t see a future in design. This cultural bias towards traditional careers may also limit the number of Africans who pursue a career in design.
Additionally, the design industry can be expensive to break into. You need access to expensive software and technology to create their designs. In many African countries, these resources may not be readily available, which can limit your ability to develop the required skills and create high-quality work. This is why Brave Achievers is creating a free platform for you to learn and compete on the global stage
The lack of diversity within the design industry is also a contributing factor to the underrepresentation of Africans in the field. Historically, the design industry has been dominated by white designers, with few opportunities for designers of color. This lack of diversity can make it more difficult for African designers to break into the industry and be recognized for their work.
According to a survey conducted by the ico-D, an international organization for design professionals, only 4% of its members are from Africa. This statistic highlights the underrepresentation of Africans in the design industry. Furthermore, a report by the Creative Industries Federation found that only 11% of the UK's creative workforce are from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, despite BAME communities accounting for 14% of the UK population.
In simple words, we can say underrepresentation of Africans in the design industry is a complex issue that stems from a lack of access to education and resources, cultural biases, and the expense of entering the field. And this lack of diversity also spans gender inequality. Brave Achievers believe women should have a place in the design world.
The Lack of Gender Diversity
African women face similar challenges as African men when it comes to representation in the design industry. In addition, they also face gender-based discrimination and biases, which further limit their opportunities to succeed in the industry.
In many African cultures, there is a societal expectation that women should prioritize family over career. This expectation can limit the opportunities for African women to pursue a career in design or any other creative field. This societal pressure often leads to women having to balance their family responsibilities with their work, making it difficult for them to fully commit to a career in the design industry.
Furthermore, women often face gender-based discrimination in the workplace, which can make it more challenging for them to succeed in their careers. This discrimination can take the form of lower pay, fewer opportunities for career advancement, and a lack of recognition for their work.
According to a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), women inventors and designers are significantly underrepresented in the field of intellectual property (IP). The report found that only 30% of all international patent applications include at least sole woman inventor, and only 12% of all international design applications include at least sole woman creator.
African women face gender-based biases and discrimination in the tech industry. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort to promote gender equality and provide women with equal access to education, resources, and career opportunities in the design industry.
In the middle of this career struggle, Brave Achievers is at the forefront making sure that tech creatives in Africa, both men and women, are given the opportunity to showcase their talent on a merited stage. But how do we plan to achieve this?
Partnering with Brave Achievers
Brave Achievers has created a learning platform named YouCreate Africa. The goal of YouCreate Africa is to build seasoned tech professionals who possess the necessary technical skills and mindset to drive digital transformation in Africa. We offer free bootcamps that provide a launching pad for careers in various fields, including product design, UI/UX, project management, and technical writing. Here are reasons why you should enroll for YouCreate Africa:
1. Enjoy Fully Funded Opportunity
One of the most significant benefits of YouCreate Africa is that it is entirely free. We believe that everyone should have access to quality education, and we are committed to providing it. This BootCamp offers you a rare opportunity to learn at no cost. You do not have to worry about tuition fees or any other financial obligation.
2. Learn Online and in Real-time
YouCreate Africa is designed to cater to the needs of busy individuals who may not have the luxury of attending physical classes. Our program is online-based, and you can attend from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a stable internet connection. You will have access to our experienced instructors, who will take you through the entire program in real-time. You can ask questions, seek clarification and interact with other students during class sessions.
3. Gain Practical Experience Through Hands-on Projects
At Brave Achievers, we believe in learning by doing. That is why we offer you practical experience through hands-on projects. You will work on real-world projects, which will equip you with the necessary skills and experience needed to succeed in the tech industry. The projects are designed to challenge you and stretch your abilities, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
4. Earn Your Course Certificate
After successfully completing the YouCreate Africa BootCamp, you will receive a course certificate. This certificate is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and skills. It will be a valuable addition to your resume and will showcase to potential employers that you are competent and ready to take on challenging roles in the tech industry.
5. Jumpstart Your Career in the Tech Industry
The ultimate goal of YouCreate Africa is to help you jumpstart your career in the tech industry. Through our program, you will gain the necessary skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in this fast-paced and rapidly evolving industry. You will be well-equipped to take on roles such as product design, UI/UX design, project management, technical writing, and many more.
YouCreate Africa by Brave Achievers is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to jumpstart their career in the tech industry. You also have the opportunity to join our BraveUX design squad on merit and work with world-class professionals. Brave Achievers is looking forward to having you on board and helping you achieve your dreams.
Why YouCreate Africa?
The internet has made it quite easy for learners to find free resources to jumpstart their tech careers. But learning without a guide and goal is a bad way to start your career. Brave Achievers has created a pathway with YouCreate Africa that will help learners have an easy start in their tech career.
Our fully funded Bootcamp training and comprehensive mentorship program are intrinsically intertwined, providing you with an unparalleled educational experience. From the moment you enroll in our world-class UI/UX design, project management, or technical writing tracks, you will be assigned a dedicated and knowledgeable mentor who will accompany you throughout your educational journey. Your mentor will be readily available to offer expert guidance, offer insights, and resolve any challenges that may arise during your training.
Furthermore, your mentor possesses the expertise and knowledge to address all your concerns and dispel any doubts that may surface throughout your program. As you progress through your training, your mentor will offer valuable tips and constructive feedback, enabling you to hone your skills and craft an outstanding portfolio that will set you apart from other candidates.
It is noteworthy that our mentors are seasoned industry professionals with no less than five years of experience in their respective fields. This ensures that you receive the highest quality mentorship and instruction that is current, relevant, and practical.
The YouCreate Africa training and mentorship program provides a holistic educational experience that is tailored to your unique needs, designed to maximize your potential, and poised to elevate your professional aspirations to unprecedented heights. But after learning, what is next?
Join the Squad
Brave Achievers equips you with everything you need to land your dream job in tech. Once you successfully complete the bootcamp and graduate, we believe you are better placed to showcase what you have learned in the design world. Just like we emphasized earlier, we want designers to be employed by merit, and not by color or background.
This is why we put in every effort to give you the best learning experience to simply bridge the diversity gap. And not only that, but we also have a incubator program for our outstanding students. This program is for a period where you are opportune to work on live partner projects. Since we advocate for merit, we must also lead by example. With this, we know we bridge the gap in design representation.
Conclusion
Africa is a ground for many untapped talents. Although it might be hard to tip the scale of diversity into balance in just one day, this is why you should partner with Brave Achievers to level the field of competition.
There are Africans and Black creatives thriving out there in the tech industry, and you shouldn’t be left out for whatever reason. Despite the underrepresentation, these creatives are showing the world what they are capable of achieving. Still, we believe that employment and opportunities should be based on merits regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.
Through our program, you can access valuable experience, build their networks, and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. YouCreate Africa is for YOU, and this is your time to make a difference in the tech industry. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
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