Today we’d like to introduce you to Odie Gray.
Hi Odie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up near the Southside of Chicago, rarely ever had a dime to my name and by the time I was 17 I had been kicked out of high school and was on the verge of losing my grandmother who raised me. I had to make a decision, live from the inside out to allow myself a chance to grow to be the man I believed I could be or let external influences dictate my identity and my potential. Shortly after losing my grandmother, I made my decision to try to be a better man every day and even if I fail I’d at least put forth an effort. Getting to where I am now didn’t come overnight but the grind made me realize enduring pain for growth is much more fulfilling and rewarding than being in a constant state of suffering due to stagnation.
I joined the United States Army where I learned about cybersecurity, fast forward a couple of years later and I climbed the corporate ladder to be a manager at one of the biggest consulting companies in the world. I thought I made it only to find out shortly I would be experiencing one of the biggest challenges in my life, stand on a principle which would put my future in a state of uncertainty or assimilate to a culture that perceived me to be of less value as a professional and human being due to the color my skin. Being in that position, jeopardizing stability for what I knew was right emboldened me to establish Diversity Cyber Council as a way to disrupt the status quo and create a space for the opportunity for under-represented professionals. Our mission is to establish a sustainable and diverse talent pipeline to the tech workforce through our training programs, campaigns, and events because we as a collective, are of value and are authentic stories are worthy of being told to transform the industry. If my story resonates at all, I just want you to know the dreams you been putting off to make reality are not only possible but necessary, but only you can make them happen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, I have come to find that black-led nonprofits are not heavily supported with the majority of funding to help the black community going to organizations that are not from the community culturally. Despite this within our first year, we managed to train and certify over 300 diverse professionals, being completely board-funded. Another challenge is employer willingness to partner with black-led training providers to hire program graduates which is contrary to the DEI narrative pushed by Corporate America after the murder of George Floyd.
I think it is mandatory that we push for accountability on commitments we discover in time are superficial, there is chronic epidemic that exists in Corporate America that causes companies to advertise “the right thing” and even do “nice” things but what the Atlanta community needs more of is kindness and equity of opportunity for the historically marginalized. It is nice to assemble an ERG group, yet it is kind to establish a sustainable and diverse pipeline to your workforce.
It is nice to spend $1M dollars on a marketing budget to promote DEI, yet it is kind to provide $100k grants to diverse led businesses with a focus on social impact. It is nice to hire DEI professionals, yet is kind to identify diverse professionals in your organizations that have went 3+ years without a promotion and ensure they get an opportunity for career advancement with an equitable pay raise. Without defining value-based outcomes and proper accountability that measures success, our community is suspect to a constant state of nice gestures with no real “collective” progress.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Diversity Cyber Council?
Diversity Cyber Council is a 501c3 Atlanta-based nonprofit, our mission is to train, educate, and advocate for the hiring of under-represented professionals in the tech workforce. Our nonprofit was established by a diverse group of cybersecurity professionals and business leaders that experienced firsthand the inequity and lack of representation that exists in the technology workforce. We understand that not enough bridges are built to provide a path of opportunity to the people and communities where diversity truly exists, it is our goal to connect with people where they are in our message, brand, and mission to fortify a sustainable and diverse talent pipeline to the technology workforce. The differentiating value of our training programs is that we intentionally create spaces where you can be your authentic self and our training programs are accommodating to all career levels especially those with nontraditional backgrounds. As a supporter of Diversity Cyber Council, you will be helping to advance our mission to disrupt the status quo by establishing training programs, initiatives, and campaigns that foster quantifiable community impact and equity of opportunity to those people that need it the most.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Les Brown Greatness Radio on Apple Podcasts David Goggins – Team Never Quit Podcast
APOC Ministry on Apple Podcasts
Kybalion – William Walker Atkinson
Motiversity on Youtube
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diversitycybercouncil.com
- Instagram: @DiversityCyberCouncil
- Facebook: @DiversityCyberCouncil
- Youtube: @DiversityCyberCouncil
