Music legend Will.i.am says technology has done 鈥渨hat companies and governments and cities were not able to do鈥 when it comes to battling discrimination.
The musician, record producer, and tech entrepreneur was keynote speaker at this week's Black Young Professionals (BYP) Network leadership conference - one of the key business events during Black History Month.
He used Uber as an example when describing how 鈥渢echnology has made the world a lot easier鈥.
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鈥淚n 1991, if I needed to get up a car app and go and hitch a ride, if I was in New York, being black, a taxi (is not) stopping for me. It鈥檚 not stopping for me if I鈥檓 in New York,鈥 the 46-year-old explained.
鈥淏ut technology鈥 Uber, now 鈥 I could get a car whenever I want. Technology did what companies and governments and cities were not able to do. There鈥檚 no prejudice like in 1991.鈥
Will.i.am acknowledged the work that still needs to be done for black professionals to become a part of the 鈥渢echnological tomorrow鈥.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not part of that conversation in the way that we should,鈥 he said.
鈥淎nd the more that we realise we should be鈥 Let鈥檚 get our nieces and nephews, our sons and daughters equipped with these skill sets.鈥
The rapper stressed the importance of collaboration for young, black professionals in any industry.
鈥淭here is no such thing as a solo successful anybody鈥 When it comes to solving problems, networking and collaboration is key,鈥 will.i.am said.
His biggest piece of advice for aspiring professionals is what he describes as the 鈥渁mazing combination鈥 of humbleness and audacity.
鈥淏e audacious and be fearless鈥 Humble and audacity is an amazing combination,鈥 he added.
The Black Eyed Peas frontman also told attendees how crucial it is to dream big.
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鈥淎t one point in time people said鈥 鈥楾here鈥檚 no way you could sell records like Michael Jackson. You can鈥檛 sing like Michael, you can鈥檛 dance like Michael鈥 but damn, we came close,鈥 he said.
鈥淲e sold almost 40 million albums.
鈥淣ow why can鈥檛 we do the same thing in technology? I want to make a product that has as many users as WhatsApp one day. Am I not supposed to dream that big?鈥
Will.i.am gave his advice to the audience at the BYP Network leadership conference, an annual event where more than 150 speakers offer their insight into the world鈥檚 most competitive industries.
The network, co-founded by Kike Oniwinde in 2016, is a platform for black professionals to connect with each other, find jobs, sign up to mentorship schemes and seek funding.
Ms Oniwinde told the PA news agency how the conference makes people like will.i.am become accessible.
鈥淭hey are role models and they are reachable,鈥 she said.
The 29-year-old explained that the BYP Network鈥檚 aim is to 鈥渃hange the black narrative鈥 as she discussed the difference between diversity and inclusion.
鈥淒iversity is being invited to the dance. But then inclusion is actually being asked to dance,鈥 Ms Oniwinde said.
鈥淭he BYP Network is here to develop the next generation of leaders. And we鈥檙e here to promote role model visibility and provide opportunities and this conference is that.鈥
The event was held in the same week as 海角视频 Black Business Week - and ahead of the 海角视频 Black Business Show this weekend.
