This (Virtual) Conference Aims At Closing Gaps For Latinos In The Tech World

Latinos may be a dominate force in labor, consumer spending and the U.S. population but they are largely left behind by the tech industry. That digital divide is fueling an effort to close the gap.

The annual LTX Fest — virtual this year due to the pandemic — wants to remove barriers for Latinos to the rapidly growing tech industry. Organizers say that means:

• Encouraging interest in STEM majors
• Creating systemic change among tech companies to hire and promote Latinos
• Clearing a path for entrepreneurship

Lilibeth Gangas, a founding member of the conference, says there must also be digital equity:
Organizers say only 6% of startup executives are Latino, yet they are demonstrated leaders with the highest rate of new entrepenuers in the country, particularly among women.

When it comes to the tech world, LTX Fest organizers said Latinos "are the least represented demographic in technology, totaling just 8% percent of the total high-tech workforce and 3% of tech leadership, despite being the country’s largest ethnic community."

Last year, when the conference was held in-person in San Franciso, organizers said more than 1,300 members attended.

Today is the third of four days of panels for this year's virtual LTX Fest.

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