Omar Perkins Launches Nonprofit Black Tech Midwest
The new organization aims to increase Black representation in the tech industry through STEM and AI skill programs.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe local nonprofits are successfully expanding tech career access in your area?
Omar Perkins has founded the nonprofit Black Tech Midwest to connect students in the region with critical tech opportunities. The organization provides specialized training in STEM and AI skills to help bridge persistent racial and economic gaps in the workforce.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses significant disparities in technology employment, where representation remains well below broader workforce demographics. These efforts target professional development to improve equity across the high-tech sector.
Black employees make up 7.4% of the high-tech sector workforce, compared to nearly 13% of the total US workforce. Additionally, Black individuals hold just 3% of tech executive positions within Fortune 500 companies.
The players
Omar Perkins
He is the founder of Black Tech Midwest and an advocate for increasing racial diversity in the technology industry.
Black Tech Midwest
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to connecting students in the Midwest to tech opportunities through STEM and AI skill-building programs.
The details
Black Tech Midwest focuses on providing students with pathways to professional success by fostering essential skills for the modern economy. The launch coincides with the UNITE Tech conference taking place in St. Louis.
Timeline
October 2026: UNITE Tech conference occurs in St. Louis.
Market Landscape
The formation of Black Tech Midwest mirrors broader industry efforts to address the digital divide in STEM education. By formalizing support systems for students, the organization competes with existing institutional pipelines to diversify the future tech workforce.
Local students and job seekers in the St. Louis area may now access new training programs designed to enhance their competitiveness for high-tech roles. These resources are intended to provide tangible pathways for those looking to build careers in STEM and AI fields.
The takeaway
Bridging the representation gap requires sustained investment in early-stage education and skill-building initiatives. Students interested in tech careers should actively seek out local nonprofits that provide mentorship and technical training.
Further reading
Find more insights on the Remote Work section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.
Live Poll
Do you believe local nonprofits are successfully expanding tech career access in your area?
