Power players - African American executives in the high technology industry

Black Enterprise, March, 2001 by Marjorie Whigham-Desir, Wakeen Edmonds

The 25 most influential blacks in technology

IN MARCH 1996, BLACK ENTERPRISE SHOUTED FROM ITS COVER THAT THE world was entering a new era--the Technology Revolution. We forecasted that life, both business and personal, would never be the same, as the World Wide Web would eliminate geographic and commercial borders. Two years later, we reported that several African Americans were playing a significant role in this revolution. We dubbed them "The Black Digerati," the high-tech movers and shakers who were either designing the technology or were finding creative applications for its use. Since then, we have continued to highlight these key players in our Techwatch section.

On the fifth anniversary of our first technology issue, we've decided to revisit those blazing the trail along the Information Superhighway from technologists to entrepreneurs to policymakers. These are the people who are providing the products and services that will drive technology forward. We quizzed industry insiders, and conducted our own research to find individuals who are pure tech players, as well as those who are creating the environment that will enable African Americans to bridge the much-discussed digital divide.

They are a mix of familiar faces as well as new ones. Some have been on the cutting edge of technology design for more than 20 years. Others are entrepreneurs and pioneers on the Web. And then there are those who are ensuring that the rules of the revolution are fair and open, and the pipeline of black talent continues to feed into the on-ramp of the Superhighway.

Find out where these 25 Digerati say technology is headed, and what impact it will have on our lives.

Barry Cooper Founded/CEO, BlackVoices.com

Barry Cooper, 44, was an editor at the Orlando Sentinel in 1993 when he was tapped to put the paper's editorial content online. Cooper saw then that it was important to have content that was targeted to African Americans. His first hurdle was convincing the parent company--The Tribune Co.--to buy into the idea. Then he had to convince advertisers. The result was BlackVoices.com, launched in 1995, with Tribune as the funding source and Cooper as its leader.

While chat rooms, message boards, and dating profiles have been key to the site's success, Cooper says black sites must go beyond just entertainment. "The next great revolution will be in providing more content that helps African Americans manage their lives better."

Jaja Jackson President/Co-founder, Mascot Network

"This is a critical time for young people to encounter technology, which will be the most valuable tool in enhancing their future," says Jaja Jackson, co-founder of Mascot Network, a Web-based communication service targeted to students, faculty, and other staff on over 100 college campuses nationwide.

Says the 28-year-old Jackson, "This is particularly important for students of color who may have found themselves isolated in a traditional environment."

Dwayne M. Walker Chairman/CEO, Network Commerce Inc.

Today, more and more companies are realizing that e-commerce must be an integral part of their business plans. But they're not always sure how to implement such a strategy. Enter Dwayne Walker, whose black-owned, publicly traded company provides technical infrastructure and e-commerce services to businesses.

Walker, 39, has managed to rack up more than 20 years in business and technology, starting at the age of 17 as a computer operator and programmer for Hughes Aircraft. He also worked as a systems analyst and management consultant for companies such as TRW, Ashton-Tate, and DMR Group before being recruited by Microsoft in 1989.

Walker says his enthusiasm for technology could only be superseded by his love for baseball. "You very rarely get to be at the forefront of an industry when it's born, and that creates a lot of opportunities."

Scott M. Mills EVP/COO, BET Interactive

Like the conductor of a symphony orchestra charged with seamlessly weaving strings, horns, and percussion into one cohesive unit, Scott Mills has melded music, video, chat, and news into the largest African American presence on the Internet. In only one year (2000), Mills and his team have brought more than 1.6 million visitors to BET.com. With more than $35 million in capital, the site is a Goliath in urban Internet programming.

Mills, 32, sees the Web as a new medium, but says it's not about the technology, but the consumer experience. "The key is how to deliver a compelling consumer experience and then support it with revenues. I think the Web is vital and critical to African Americans going forward. Our level of penetration has been lagging over time, but we're adapting faster than any other community. The digital divide may be more of an age and economic divide."

Al Zollar President/CEO, Lotus Development Corp.

Al Zollar, 46, got into the technology business 23 years ago as a systems engineering trainee for IBM in San Francisco. It was clear to him then that software would play an integral role in the evolution of technology. So when IBM asked him to head Lotus Development Corp. a year ago, Zollar says he jumped at the chance. "It was a lifetime opportunity as a technologist. There are only a few highly regarded software brands, and Lotus is one of them."