Minorities gain ground in tech

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Tyrone Taborn is chief executive officer, editor and publisher at the Career Communications Group Inc. in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Technology is the future of minority business.

As much a public leader as a businessman, Tyrone Taborn fused his interests in technology with his desire to aid his community 25 years ago when he founded Career Communications Group, of which he is president and chief executive officer.

Career Communications Group, a talent management and career development company in Baltimore, publishes several national magazines and Web sites about technology and minorities.

Recently, Taborn was named one of the 50 most important African-Americans in technology and a “HistoryMaker” — a person “who by his or her own accomplishments has made significant strides ... with a particular movement, organization or association that is important to the African-American community,” the HistoryMaker foundation’s Web site states. Other HistoryMakers include Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks and Sen.Barack Obama, D-Ill..

Career Communications conferences generate more than $6.6 million of economic impact in Baltimore City, according to the company. More than 10,000 attended the Black Engineer Awards Conference in June.

Q How have you gotten to where you are today?

A A real passion to help this country and deal with our global issues. Twenty-something years ago, I saw two things happening: that technology was becoming more of a critical manpower issue and that technology education would help African-Americans become more of a part of society. If you look at it, we need more people in technology. We have these huge gaps. The entire work force needs to be utilized. If we get more young kids excited about technology, employers are out there ready to hire them.

Q How do you think the magazines you publish help?

A They show young people role models to read about. And with all the advertisers, major corporations like IBM, they show them that there are jobs and opportunities for them.

Q How did you see what you do — technology education — developing?

A We have to be serious about educating all citizens in science, technology, engineering and math. Baltimore has changed from a manufacturing city to a more service-oriented one. The jobs are going to be in health care, biotech, information services and hospitality. Three-quarters of those require a technology background. It tells you that you have to address this issue.

Q Where do you see you and your company going in the future?

A Thomas Friedman’s book, “The World is Flat,” shows us that we are now in a digital economy. Worldwide, the new currency is really your brain. We see ourselves going in dealing more with global issues. In doing so, it’s not a black/white or male/female issue. It’s an American issue. How will we advance? It’s going to take as many smart people as we can get — not only white men or black men. All shades of people are what we so desperately need. The competition which is now global will affect American well-being.

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