Google partners with Howard University in an effort to recruit more black engineers

By Florence Ion
last updated

Google HQ
Google HQ (Image credit: Android Central)

Technology has always had a diversity issue. But rather than relegate to the way things appear to be, some technology companies are instead electing to invest in changing the status quo. Google has been particularly active in its initiatives. The company announced that it's partnered with Howard University to launch a school branch on its Mountain View campus, dubbed "Howard West."

Students who are chosen for the program will have a chance to learn from Google's own engineers and technologists for three months. They'll receive a stipend to help cover housing and other expenses they might incur living in the statistically pricey Silicon Valley. Students will also earn school credit towards their degree.

"Howard West is now the centerpiece of Google's effort to recruit more black software engineers from historically black colleges and universities," writes Bonita Stewart, Google's VP of global partnerships. She continues:

One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from acclaimed management consultant Peter Drucker: "The best way to predict the future is to create it." This is exactly the thinking behind Howard West, as the program is a way to create a future that reflects the values of diversity and inclusion Google has held since day one.

The program begins this summer. Google plans to eventually expand the program to other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country.

Florence Ion
Florence Ion

Florence Ion was formerly an editor and columnist at Android Central. She writes about Android-powered devices of all types and explores their usefulness in her everyday life. You can follow her on Twitter or watch her Tuesday nights on All About Android.

47 Comments
  • What about browns?
  • I doubt they would hire any of them. They were lucky to win one game last year.
  • Haha. This is awesome. Lol.
  • 😂😂😂😂😂😂
  • Oh boy. Here we go... Pokegate: 07/14/16 - Never Forget...
  • You should probably stay away from the gender pronouns and just say "oh person." It is the year 2017 now...
  • I wish I was black now to get that competitive edge
  • Idiot
  • Jelly?
  • Google partners with white schools too. Mod please close comments
  • There is no such thing as white schools. It's all mixed
  • I am assuming that they do. I'm guessing it's just not advertised. They should highlight all of the things they support. Google invests a ton of money into education and initiatives.
  • No such thing, that would be racist.
  • I suspected google cracked time travel for years now. This explains how they partnered with white schools that were all closed in the 1950's. Thank God for them internetz...
  • They may have cracked time travel, but have they cracked corn, and should we care?
  • https://www.google.com/diversity/ Yep. Big ol' competitive edge there.
  • ,
  • You do realize that Howard is not exclusively black. There could and will likely be people of all races, including white, who will benefit from this program.
  • LOCK THE COMMENTS NOW FLORENCE!
  • We are all adults here. We can handle this. On second thought, maybe you are right. Good on Google, they need to make a push for minorities and let them know what is out there. I believe the tech sector is not usually considered by the African American community.
  • I think your second thought is right. Look at any article on this site that deals even tangentially with race and religion. It gets ugly really quickly, ever single time.
  • This. It's like high school all over again, and I don't mean the honors classes lol.
  • Actually it is very much considered.
  • I was not aware. Thanks for the information.
  • Exactly.
  • Most blacks are not from Africa
  • You know, I'm usually not PC. I give it a try and I'm still given crap. Can't win, I give up.
  • This seems like a great idea, and a really forward-thinking way of addressing Google's self-admitted problem with diversity. That said, something tells me I'm going to come back to this comments section in a few hours and be slightly embarrassed to be part of this community.
  • As an executive who hires engineers and analysts, it's always worth looking high and low for talent, and under-represented groups are a gold mine of talent. Google knows that they will benefit from attracting the best and brightest from all communities. And Howard University has a lot of talent. Just look at their history! Posted via Android Central App
  • You hit the nail on the head. Under-represented groups is the key reason behind this.
  • Good on Google.
  • Nice.
  • Trolls and cowards in comment section! All diversity is good! Not just black or brown or women but ALL!
  • Yes. Diversity is good. And not just racial, but culturally as well. Everybody has something to bring to the table, and hard work and determination are not inclusive.
  • Why close the comments ? This racist bull chit has to end. Fyi, white privilege was made by the Democrats to demonize people. The must qualified should receive the position, not because of skin color.
  • You live in that perfect world huh? How is it over there? It already is going to the most qualified white men over here in real world.
  • Not really... because certain ethnic groups are intentionally "left out" .. So if you only go by most qualified... that means only a certain group will ever get anywhere.
  • Too many times the comfort or lack there of, of someone's skin tone takes a front seat during the hiring process. Sad but true. It's an ugly world. My father was a career counselor for some of the best universities in Boston for nearly thirty years and something as trivial as the pronunciation of an individual's name was enough for a recruiter to place their resume aside without checking credentials. I've experienced it first hand and it's a very demoralizing situation, luckily my name and high level of experience is neutral enough to get me in the door for an interview, however there have been instances (unfortunately proven by inside information) that I've been turned away because those with hiring power don't feel comfortable infusing me into their culture. The same mess has happened since childhood whether it's playing sports, being accepted to a social group, fraternity life, etc... The trend is front and center for everyone to witness and that same trend is carried over by those same people into the workplace. It's pretty frustrating that folks are still in denial even after studies and social experiments have proven such behavior.
  • 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
  • The comments aren't that bad in here. I was always into tech at an early age. I started reading PC Magazine in the 7th grade unfortunately my father wasn't to pleased with my methods of obtaining those magazines.
  • The fact that the comments are heavily moderated combined with the majority of people having sense in terms of cultural sensitivity issues makes it not that bad. We're not a bad bunch after all. Regarding Google's efforts, it's a great thing to do, especially in times like these.
  • Why in 2017 does skin color have anything to do with getting a job? It's just crazy! What is Google trying to prove? I live and work in the Bay Area. My current site is blocks from Google main campus. Ever day around lunch it's like the Mayflower just docked. What I'm getting at is I see all sorts of people of every ethnic background.
  • You can say "it's 2017" all you want, but that doesn't change anything.
  • Funny that you reference the Mayflower... Check out who was on-board And to be clear it's not about giving someone a job because if their skin-color. no one is suggesting that and in fact, that's not what Google is doing. It's about access to the job opportunity. Those are 2 very different things.
  • This sounds like a great opportunity for students. I've wondered what's being done when the tech industry complains about the lack of diversity, women, children learning to code, etc. It's nice to see Google making an effort with Howard West.
  • How does google measure the black? hair? teeth? eyes? or just skin? What color black is allowed? 0xff, 0xfe, 0xfd? What if you're off-black, or fadded-black? Do age spots count? What if you have a pigment condition that makes you spotted, are you then disqualified? The only thing that enslaves a person is their mind. I've been paralyzed from the chest down for over thiry years, but I've never been handicapped, and I've never been without a job. Show me someone who sees racism everywhere, and I'll show you a racist. If you want to really help someone who thinks they're being descriminated agaist, how about showing them how to overcome their negative perception, instead of feeding it? Qualified people with a good attitude will always be employed. People who are qualified, who see themselves as a victum, will never keep a job, even if they are given one unfairly.
  • the truth gets censored again. nice.