Customers and businesses alike benefit from the ease and security of online transactions. However, maintaining the integrity of this technology — and preserving consumer trust — has put the tech industry in somewhat of a cat-and-mouse game as efforts to breach these safeguards become more and more sophisticated. 

Increasing diversity is one proven tactic for combatting this threat: a diverse workforce outperforms homogeneous teams across all metrics. Cybersecurity is a sector where innovative thinking and advanced solutions are critical to maintaining the upper hand.

Block and Obsidi® are excited to announce our partnership. Together, we’re combining resources to address this issue while setting an example for others on the positive impact of cross-sector collabo ration.

The Value of Partnership

Collaborations that prioritize diversity benefit everyone: businesses, job seekers, and the industry as a whole.

Obsidi® connects Black professionals with hiring companies in the technology sector. Membership grants these individuals immediate access to exciting job opportunities and the largest network of Black tech professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Plus, they get to participate in events such as the annual BFUTR and frequent Obsidi® Tech Talks presented by Obsidi® partners.

Businesses that partner with Obsidi® benefit from access to an extensive pool of top-tier candidates to help them further innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

In joining forces, Block and Obsidi® are working to drive impactful hiring initiatives to create more opportunities for Black tech professionals. The partnership promotes a more diverse tech industry and helps to reinforce Block’s reputation as an innovative leader in the financial technology space.

Block is presenting an exciting Tech Talk: Ensuring Data Security Across Diverse Financial Platforms on January 27th, 2025. Check out this link for more info.

The Importance of Diversity in Tech

Block understands that building innovative products requires their team to be as diverse as the people who use them. When teams reflect the experiences and perspectives of their users, they’re better able to create products that work for everyone.

Additionally, without training, unconscious bias may enter the hiring process and perpetuate the lack of diversity.

This is why it’s more important than ever to support Black professionals, women, and people of different ethnicities and backgrounds by fostering a more inclusive tech environment.

Block and Obsidi® aim to do just that as part of our alliance.

Obsidi® goes a step beyond the traditional job board with our Obsidi® Tech Talks — an excellent opportunity for companies to share industry-leading insights with other Obsidi® partners and members.

The chance to present an Obsidi® Tech Talk is available to any business that becomes an Obsidi® partner.

The Obsidi® Tech Talk Initiative

In Block’s upcoming Obsidi® Tech Talk, their security team will pull back the curtain on the cutting-edge processes they use to protect customer data on the platforms they build, like Cash App and Square.

Attendees will get an incredible opportunity to engage in dialogue on diversity and data security. The event will also include a discussion on professional development for Black tech professionals.

Becoming an Obsidi® member gives Black tech professionals access to this upcoming Tech Talk and others like it. Obsidi® members get to have meaningful discussions with some heavy hitters in the tech sphere. They get to learn about industry-leading practices from some of the biggest names in tech.

The conversations touch on very real and meaningful topics through conversations about diversity and the benefits of edging away from a homogenous industry at large.

Building a Better Tech Industry

Collaborations like these are incredibly important, as they set an example for other companies. It’s easy to say you value diversity, yet it is far more meaningful to act in a way that has a real-world impact.

The tech industry plays a significant role in determining what our future will look like. As such, tech companies have a responsibility to make space for underrepresented groups.

Obsidi® is an excellent resource that helps forward-thinking companies connect with talented and diverse professionals.

Our members benefit from career opportunities, exposure to conversations about the current tech landscape, and access to a supportive community focused on professional growth.

Obsidi® partners benefit from access to a diverse talent pool of highly competent professionals and the opportunity to share first-hand knowledge with a network of developing professionals.

In addition, they are able to take charge of building a more diverse tech industry and pace the way to meaningful and lasting change.

Conclusion

By creating new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the tech industry, Block and Obsidi®’s partnership represents a commitment to a better future and serves as an example for other businesses to follow.

Those interested in joining the conversation by participating in the upcoming Obsidi® Tech Talk can find more information here, and companies interested in partnering with Obsidi® for a similar collaboration can visit our website to discover all the benefits.