One of the greatest challenges I see for the future of the U.S. economy and tech industry growth is the lack of representation of black and Latino’s in the industry.  I’m not suggesting that the industry will totally die without it, but the lack of exposure to potential careers in tech and adequate resources like computers in schools and technology focused instruction in underserved communities, poses an economic threat to America.

There are influential people in American business today making an effort to increase the pool of black and Latino talent in high tech, and seeing the solution as one that is good for America’s 21st century global innovation economy as a whole.  One of those people is Johnathan Holifield.

Johnathan created The Trim Tab System, “a development and leadership methodology that applies innovative concepts and tools to generate exponential impact.”  If you’ve ever wanted to hyper-maximize your effectiveness, using The Trim Tab System has proven to be an extraordinary way to achieve results.

Johnathan Holifield gave a presentation on May 10th at Global Detroit, a conference dedicated to discussing innovation and commerce to revitalize Detroit, MI, on The America21 Project he’s co-founded using The Trim Tab System principles as a foundation.

The America21 Project introduces “Inclusive Competitiveness,” a core principle that centers around the positive effects of putting the right people on the playing field to take advantage of the economic opportunities flourishing particularly from tech startups.  Basically, how does America suffer if 30% (Black and Latino populations combined in the U.S.) of it’s population, is largely excluded from a sector that’s seeing one of the largest percentages of new job growth and entrepreneurship.  How much of that job growth is domestic and of the domestic tech jobs being created, what percentage of those are filled with black and Latino talent?

What I like about Johnathan Holifield’s Amercia21 Project is that it’s about providing a soluiton by increasing the pool of talent through advocacy and awareness.  It’s hard to have a complete discussion about under-representation if the lack of talent isn’t addressed first.

The law of “Inclusive Competitiveness” states:

No region can sustainably increase economic competitiveness without growing enough of the right people to create and take advantage of that increase in economic competitiveness.  If your region’s economic competitive goals do not focus on inclusion, you simply will not – indeed cannot – grow enough of the right people to build a resilient, economically competitive region.

Johnathan Holifield’s presentation and the talking points he delivered at the Global Detroit event can be found on the Black Innovation and Competitiveness Initiative website.  An impressive approach to addressing an important matter.  I encourage you to explore.

About Johnathan Holifield

Holifield is a highly sought-after Cleveland-based attorney, consultant, speaker and former NFL player who emerged as a visionary economic voice at the turn of the century. His economic outlook, policy recommendations, innovative strategies and unparalleled achievements among 21st century Black leadership has helped propel America21 onto the national landscape as an authoritative voice on urban innovation and economic inclusion.  Follow Johnathan @TheTrimTabber and visit TrimTabber.com.