The State of Cybersecurity Careers for Black Professionals

Featuring:
– [Moderator] Jumoke Dada, R Street Institute Making Space Project Manager and Founder, Tech Women Network
– [Special Address] Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) pre-recorded
– Tashya Denose, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst Manager, Capital One and Director of Marketing, Black Girls in Cyber
– Michaela Barnett, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Blacks in Cybersecurity, HQ
– Sonju Walker, Independent Data Privacy Consultant and Member, Empow(H)er Cybersecurity
– Safi Mojidi, Head of Information Security, Folx Health and Founder, Hacking the Workforce

It’s been reported that in 2021, over 500,000 cybersecurity-related jobs went unfilled. With the growing need for more diverse talent and the reality that Black professionals face many barriers to entry, the time is now to address this issue.

Despite the dismal numbers of Black professionals in cybersecurity, many organizations have emerged to address breaking into cyber, upskilling and more. You are invited to join the R Street Institute’s Making Space Initiative during Black History Month as we bring together leaders of cybersecurity organizations who are doing the work to ensure that Black citizens are represented in the field.

Attendees will also hear a special address from Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. Rep. Underwood is the first woman, person of color and millennial to represent her community in Congress. She is also the youngest African American woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives.