Dev Color is an organization that aims to empower and advance Black software engineers. The company was founded in 2015 by a group of Black entrepreneurs and technologists. Since then, Dev Color has grown into a diverse community and support system for Black tech talent.
History of Dev Color
Dev Color was founded in 2015 by Ellis N. Hines. Ellis recognized that while the technology industry was growing rapidly, Black professionals were significantly underrepresented. He created Dev Color as a way to connect, empower, and advance Black software engineers and technologists.
The origins of Dev Color trace back to Ellis’s time as a student at Howard University. He noticed that he and his classmates constantly had to prove themselves and their abilities because of racial bias. After graduating and working in the tech industry, Ellis realized the lack of diversity and inclusion was still a major issue.
So in 2015, Ellis brought together a small group of Black entrepreneurs, engineers, and designers in Washington D.C. This included people like Jermaine Amigo Brackett, who is now Dev Color’s CTO. Together, they laid the foundations for an organization that could support and grow the talents of Black technologists nationwide.
Leadership and Culture
Ellis Hines serves as the CEO of Dev Color. Under his leadership, the company has expanded across the United States. There are now local Dev Color communities in cities like New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Austin.
Jermaine Amigo Brackett, the co-founder and CTO, helps drive the technical initiatives and partnerships for Dev Color. He has extensive experience as an engineer and entrepreneur.
Dev Color is intentionally structured more like a community than a traditional company. It relies heavily on collaboration and grassroots efforts. The culture celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empowering one another.
Programs and Offerings
Dev Color offers a range of programs and resources aimed at educating, connecting, and advancing Black tech professionals at various stages of their careers. Some key programs include:
- Coding bootcamp scholarships – Dev Color partners with coding schools to provide scholarships to Black applicants. This increases access and opportunities in software engineering roles.
- Technical interview prep – Free technical interview workshops are offered to help prepare Black engineers for the coding challenges at major tech companies.
- Conference scholarships – Dev Color provides tickets and travel scholarships for Black tech professionals to attend relevant conferences and expand their networks.
- Mentorship community – Seasoned Black engineers volunteer as mentors to provide career advice and guidance to up-and-coming talent.
- Job boards – Curated job boards connect Black tech talent to opportunities at partner companies seeking to diversify their workforce.
In 2020 alone, Dev Color facilitated over $200,000 in scholarships and services to Black technologists. The organization works with over 50 corporate partners and donors to make these programs possible.
Membership and Local Chapters
While anyone can access Dev Color’s online resources, the organization does have paid membership options. Membership levels range from $5 per month for students to $25 per month for professionals. Members gain access to exclusive career advancement resources, networking events, and the full nationwide community.
Dev Color has local chapters in cities across the U.S. These city-based groups organize local networking events, hackathons, study groups, and other programs. This allows Dev Color members to meet and collaborate with like-minded Black technologists in their geographic region.
Some of the most active local chapters are based in:
- New York City
- Washington D.C. (founding chapter)
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- Austin
Dev Color also has virtual chapters and Slack communities for connecting members across the country and globe.
Conferences and Events
In addition to local events, Dev Color hosts several major national conferences each year. These events bring together hundreds of Black tech professionals for networking, learning, and career growth. They also allow the organization to celebrate diversity in tech and recognize achievements.
Some of Dev Color’s annual conferences include:
| Conference | Details |
|---|---|
| CodeCon | Flagship 3-day conference focused on coding workshops and technical talks. |
| ConnectCon | Networking and professional development-oriented conference. |
| HBCU Hackathon | A 24-hour hackathon for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. |
Thousands of Black engineers, founders, designers, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals come together at these events. Dev Color conferences provide great opportunities to learn new skills, find job and entrepreneurship opportunities, and meet potential collaborators and mentors.
Impact and Recognition
Since starting as a small meetup in 2015, Dev Color has expanded to support over 10,000 members. The organization has facilitated millions in scholarships, grants, and services to empower Black technologists.
Dev Color has been featured in news outlets like CNN, Forbes, and TechCrunch for its work. In 2018, co-founder Ellis Hines was recognized in Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list highlighting young disruptors and innovators.
The organization has also partnered with major tech companies like Google, Facebook, GitHub, and Slack. These partnerships help connect Dev Color members to more career opportunities.
Going forward, Dev Color aims to scale its programs and community even further. It continues working to close the racial wealth and opportunity gaps in the tech industry. The ultimate vision is to create a more equitable tech landscape where Black professionals have the access, networks, and support to truly thrive.
Conclusion
Dev Color is an impactful organization that empowers and connects Black software engineers across America. It was founded in 2015 by Ellis Hines to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in tech. Through scholarships, conferences, mentorship programs, and local communities, Dev Color provides resources to help Black technologists advance their skills and careers.
With Ellis Hines as CEO and Jermaine Brackett as CTO, the company has grown to support over 10,000 members nationwide. Dev Color continues working with corporate partners and donors to create more equitable opportunities in the tech industry. The organization serves as both a support system and celebration of Black excellence in technology.
