2025

ColorStack Impact Report

Dispatch from the CEO

& A Love Letter to What We Made Possible

As with all rebirths, ColorStack’s transformation was out of my control. It was much bigger than my ego, aspirations, and devotion to this cause. When I first started ColorStack, I was a computer science student (class of 2020) at Cornell with a strong sense of ambition, self-possession, and resilience that was ingrained in me by Black-Caribbean immigrant parents. I entered a prestigious institution determined to succeed, and the challenges my fellow Black and Brown peers faced in computer science moved me to the core.



Then I met Rami, ColorStack’s Head of Engineering, and my best friend. Together, Rami and I led the Underrepresented Minorities in Computing (URMC) organization at Cornell, where we provided peer support, mentorship, and a sense of community—the very foundation of ColorStack. In 2020, we started the organization with just a few hundred members—now, I come to you five years later with 16,000 members around the U.S. representing over 1,000 colleges and universities.

How did we do it? I can give you the impressive metrics, tangible outcomes, and the testimonials, but truly, it was through an unwavering belief that we can build the future in the way we think it should be. Though my faith never wavered, I would be lying if I didn’t share that believing in the impossible required hard work, affirmation from my loved ones, and consistency without instant reward.

This year was glorious, and it was difficult. Under the current administration, our commitment to this work has resulted in many nos, some yeses, and a few not nows. And we are not alone in this, as many fellow non-profits who want what’s best for their communities endure the same. We helped change the lives of over 16,000 Black and Latinx students in just five years. It is that fact alone that keeps us doing this work. Witnessing the stories of our students gives us the momentum and tenacity to aim for more than double that amount by 2030.

Join us as we share how we accomplished this between the fiscal year of June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025, how you were a part of it, and how you can build a world where Black and Brown innovation is at the forefront. Thank you for giving us the fortitude to see what is possible—we look forward to surprising ourselves even more.

With gratitude,

Jehron Petty, CEO

Jehron-Petty---New-Headshot

Our Challenge

According to the U.S. census, Black and Latinx people make up 34% of the U.S. population. Black and Latinx students make up less than 20% of Computer Science graduates and less than 10% of the software engineering workforce.

With poverty disproportionately affecting Black, Latinx, and indigenous communities in the U.S., Black and Latinx computer science students often lack the tools and resources for professional and educational development.

Once they enter the workforce, the underrepresentation within their workplaces often leads to isolation, imposter syndrome, and low retention rates. While research shows that diversity yields stronger products, the challenge of underrepresentation remains.

Our Challenge

34%

% of the US Population

20%

% of Computer Science Graduates

<10%

% in the Software Engineering Workforce
Our Challenge

Our Solution

To meet the dire need for community, ColorStack continues to be one of the fastest-growing computer science safe havens for Black and Latinx students in North America. ColorStack’s solution is two-fold: to diversify the tech workforce through our corporate partnerships, and to develop confident, skilled, and creative Black and Latinx innovators.

Our Mission

We exist to increase the number of Black and Latinx Computer Science graduates that go on to launch rewarding technical careers.

Our Vision

We envision a future where Black and Latinx technologists are at the forefront of innovation.

16000+

ColorStack empowers 16,000+ members with resources like career fairs, networking, and mentorship, plus products like Oyster and a Slack community. Over half of our members secure full-time tech roles post-graduation.

Our Impact

In our third Census, we received invaluable feedback from our members about the community, resources, and opportunities we provide. While we seek feedback from our members throughout the year, the Census is our fundamental practice of measuring the impact and sustainability of our solutions.

80%

are confident they will graduate with a full-time offer in tech

98%

of members are on track to graduate

86%

agree their confidence in CS-related schoolwork has increased since joining ColorStack

65%

of alumni have a full-time role

74%

agree that their confidence in technical interviewing has increased since joining ColorStack

73%

of members made a new friend in ColorStack

72%

of class of 2026 members have an internship

Our Census goes beyond attaining data. We also gain clarity on who is part of our growing community of skilled and workforce-ready professionals. These professionals show a promising future: people of color, despite their current underrepresentation in the tech ecosystem, are poised to reshape the landscape by their expertise.

90%

Over 90% of our members major in computer science, computer engineering, information science, information technology, data science, or software engineering. 

70%

Since last year, we’ve increased our membership to over 16,100 (70% increase in FY 2025) and representing 1,606 schools in the U.S. and Canada (an increase of 756 in FY 2025).

Labor of Love

& Our Programs

The “how” of ColorStack is dynamic, strategic, and, most importantly, sustainable. We define sustainable as our solution's ability to endure shifts in the political, social, and economic landscape. In just our fifth year, we’ve witnessed firsthand the consistent impact of connecting our students to academic support, resources, opportunities, and communities. Through our five initiatives, we ensure our members have access and resources to thrive academically and economically by:

Labor of Love Section Photo

Facilitating corporate partner to member and peer to peer mentorship

Hosting over  50 annual virtual events

Distributing $400k+ in direct support

Designing Oyster, our open-source member engagement portal

Supporting a network of 60+ student-led ColorStack chapters

We offer soft-touch guidance, providing tools and community to empower members in their technical careers. We believe in providing access that can make all the difference in someone’s life, not acting as saviors.

Our Chapters

Our student-led university chapters, official ColorStack sub-organizations, empower Black and Latinx technologists with leadership skills and autonomy. As our network grows, so does the need for supportive hubs across the U.S.

70 chapters with 3,600 national members (an 80% increase compared to last year); 27 chapters created within the last fiscal year.

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Family Fund

The Family Fund builds member confidence and agency by providing financial aid to low-income Black and Latinx ColorStackers, removing barriers to professional development and networking. This year, we distributed $439,000, a $165,000 decrease from last year’s $604,000.

Travel Scholarships

120,000.00 to send members to tech conferences such as AfroTech, SHPE, NSBE, and our very own, Stacked Up Summit.

Financial Support Scholarships

$110,000 in aid distributed across 71 members to support tuition, housing, and school supplies for postsecondary success.

Resources

AlgoExpert licenses

Mock interviews on Interviewing.io

90 hours of career coaching, including resume reviews

Member activation Swag Packs

Despite this year’s loss of funding, which led to a decrease in our Family Fund dollars, we remained true to our mission. Although we had to sun-set the Family Fund on June 30, 2025, this decision has shown us how much our members trust the community and resources we provide for them––encouraging us to remain steadfast amidst headwinds. Looking ahead, we plan to explore new revenue streams and decentralize our impact to revamp the Fund when capacity allows.

Slack

Slack is the home of ColorStack. At first glance, it is an ordinary digital messaging platform; but for us, it is where our members make each other feel seen. In these channels, members share opportunities, offer support during challenges, and cheer each other on.

This year, our members' engagement was through the roof:

An average of 38,000 messages/month, an impressive increase from last year's 13,000.

4,149 monthly users

4,655 opportunities shared

For Slack Section

The significant rise in Slack engagement this year was definitely an internal topic of discussion. Slack is an expensive platform, and it is a space our members deeply cherish. As we navigated internal organizational shifts, the affordability of the platform, and our members’ needs, we recognized the profound impact a potential platform change was having on our members. Still, we continue to move, strategize, and evaluate how to best curate the spaces our members call home.

Oyster

Oyster, our exclusive in-house member portal, offers an enhanced ColorStack community experience beyond Slack. It includes resume/company reviews, a resource database, and a member directory.

2374

monthly active visitors

This year, we sought to take Oyster to the next level. As we continue to develop the tool, it is important for us to have Oyster reflect the needs of our members. The feedback that is shared in multiple Slack channels and through our product-member ambassador, Tomas Salgado, is crucial to our ongoing implementation. To continue meeting our members where they’re at, we developed four new features:

Offer Database

Expanding our member-led #community-compensation Slack channel, we created an offer database where members can submit anonymously and view both internship and FT offers. This feature can strengthen our members' salary-negotiation skills and highlight the importance of salary transparency. 

Peer Help

Our members are now able to efficiently request mock interviews, resume reviews, or career advice from their ColorStack peers.

Peer Help Screenshot
Resume Review Screenshot

AI Resume Review

With our AI tool, our members can now get instant feedback on their resumes.

AI Chatbot

Our members can now ask a question to our chatbot and get an instant answer based on our entire Slack history (>436k public messages). This lets us leverage our most valuable asset: community-based knowledge sharing.

AI Chatbot

Events

Our free virtual and in-person events offer a safe space for members to network and interview with recruiters from leading tech companies. These highly anticipated events build community and allow members to see technologists who look like them, affirming their potential for similar success.

Career Fairs

Two career fair events in fall 2024 and spring 2025, which had a combined attendance of 2,932.

Fam Fridays

Hosted the last Friday of every month with our charismatic host, Michelleadonna, our Fam Fridays are community gatherings that center career readiness and professional development. This past year, we hosted 9 Fam Fridays with a total of 1,326 combined attendees.

9 IRL Events

8 in-person events with corporate sponsors such as Atlassian, Reboot Representation, Dropbox, eBay, Figma, Reddit, Morgan Stanley & Susquehanna
Winter Break 25’ Hackathon, with 50 member participants and 20 project submissions.

ColorStack Mentorship Program

ColorStack thrives on peer-to-peer mentorship. This year, our professional mentorship program continued, with volunteer software engineers guiding members in open-source development and career advancement.

With 87% of post-program survey completion, 100% of surveyed mentees reported finding the experience both impactful and valuable.

If I were to describe this program experience in one sentence, it would be something along the lines of "learning from the future version of yourself" because of the fact that I was able to gain so many tips and advice from someone who has walked the same road as me.

Being able to have a real conversation with my mentor about system design — a topic I wasn’t confident in at all — made me realize I actually know more than I give myself credit for. It was a confidence boost and a reminder that I’m more capable than I sometimes think.

Hear from Our Members

Ben Aguirre

Ben Aguirre

Hi everyone! I wanted to finally share some good news with you all! I am excited to announce I’ll be joining Pinterest this summer as a Software Engineering Intern! 📌

I’ve been sitting on this for a while now because I wanted to make sure this was the right decision, but after thinking about this for a long time (and getting one last rejection lol) I knew this was the correct choice.

Coming into college I had no idea what I wanted to do and chose marketing because it just made sense. A few marketing internships later and I knew it wasn’t the correct fit for me. Adding on a CS minor, I wanted to land a Software Engineering job but had no idea how to do so. Joining ColorStack completely changed everything — they (the ColorStack team) provided me a community to talk about my struggles and learn, interview preparation, mentorship, and guidance to truly succeed. Without ColorStack I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today, and I appreciate everything they have done to empower me and everyone else in this community. So truly, thank you! I’ll officially be in SF this summer, so feel free to DM me if you ever want to hang 🦦🤷🏾‍♂️

Yajaira De Haro

Yajaira De Haro

ColorStack has given me the confidence to keep going with my uni education and get my degree in something tech related 🫶 Many times I've thought if I decided on the right path, and seeing people like me here is truly motivational! From attending Fam Friday sessions to replying in these discussion posts, I feel a part of the ColorStack community. Also, being an online student, it's kinda tough finding a space you can be involved in. Love ColorStack and the support all have shown me 😆🫶

Kossi Sessou

Kossi Sessou

As a new member of ColorStack, I've been exploring the wealth of resources available and reading the inspiring success stories shared by the community. Seeing the impact this network has had on others' journeys has reinforced my confidence that I belong in tech. The support, guidance, and shared experiences have motivated me, and I have no doubt that I'll be posting my own success story in the near future.

Kenyang Lual

Kenyang Lual

Lowkey random but I want to share my gratitude for ColorStack. Beginning of the Fall semester of sophomore year, I wasn't as locked in and passionate about CS but after connecting with you guys and putting your advice to practice, I was able to level up my work ethic. I wouldn't be in the position I am today without this community fr!

Lily Matos

Lily Matos

ColorStack has had a huge impact on my career. I joined in May 2021 after finishing my associate’s degree; honestly, I stumbled upon it through HopIn (i think thats what the platform was called, i was googling associations to join and events to attend) and ended up at the 2021 Stacked Up Summit. At the time, it was open to everyone, and I remember being in awe of seeing so many people who looked like me in tech.

At first, I was just a lurker. I did not even know about the Slack until Fall 2021. I was lowkey embarrassed about taking time off from school and graduating later, so I hesitated to engage. I am the type of person who minds my business and focuses on execution. I have always believed in showing results over talking about them. That is probably why networking never felt natural to me. But once I started actively checking Slack and applying to internships, everything changed. I landed my MongoDB internship in Summer 2022, and from then on, I always kept an eye on ColorStack’s emails and resources.

I have done a lot of programs in college, but nothing has helped me like ColorStack. It answered my biggest questions, introduced me to opportunities I never knew existed, and completely changed how I saw my options in tech. Now, I am on the founding team of a startup, thinking about launching my own, and on my way to graduating while balancing everything else on my plate. Even though I am not the most vocal person in networking spaces, ColorStack has opened so many doors for me and made a real difference in my career, especially as someone working remotely.

Elyon Aganah

Elyon Aganah

ColorStack has changed my life in more ways than I can count. It’s given me a community of insanely talented, driven individuals who are making waves in tech and being surrounded by them reminds me every day that if they can do it, so can I. I have also met some really cool people that I can't wait to meet in person!

Derek Smith Nautel

Derek Smith Nautel

ColorStack has not only helped me connect with lots of like mind individuals who I'm proud to call my friends, but has helped teach me the skills and given me opportunities to help me achieve success.

Celebrating ColorStack- Quinny Recap

Unearthing Joy

& Our Quinny Celebration

This year, we unapologetically made a tremendous deal out of becoming 5-years-old because we deserved it. As a Black-led organization, the 5-year milestone is significant. With the racial funding gap affecting Black-led non-profits in a myriad of ways, five years means resilience, the sustainability of our solutions, and a strong team that gives us a reason to keep going.



To honor this chapter, we celebrated our fifth anniversary in NYC at the Panorama Room. Looking over the East River, we reflected alongside our members, partners, and loved ones on everything it took to get us here––weeks of strategizing events, endlessly evaluating feedback from our members, and many, many, email exchanges. Beyond celebration, we took this milestone as an opportunity to launch our first major donor campaign, exceeding our goal of $50K. This set the tone for the future of ColorStack, creating opportunities for our supporters, alumni, and champions, to invest in the next five years of innovation.

Our Financials

One of our values is to obsess over the details. Looking at even the smallest details is a practice that requires intentionality. We approach our finances with precision and care because we believe that a budget tells the story of an organization - what we value and where we choose to invest. As you can see, most of our expenses go towards our community, prioritizing enriching the lives of our members.

Please note: these numbers are based on unaudited financials as of the time of this report's publishing.

Our Partnerships

& The Generous Allies

Our corporate and philanthropic partners have been instrumental in our momentum. Thanks to these allies, abundant resources nourish our community with mentorship, programming, and tools that increase the confidence of Black and Latinx computer science students.

Our Partnerships Section

Hear from Our Allies

Eduardo Mares

Eduardo Mares

Senior Employee Recruiter @ Salesforce

“Through our partnership with ColorStack, we’ve seen meaningful outcomes that directly support Salesforce’s core values of Equality, Innovation, and Trust. The engagement and conversion of Black and Latinx computer science talent into our Futureforce programs have been standout achievements. We've seen strong application numbers, high interview success rates, and a significant number of offers extended to ColorStack members. Beyond the metrics, this partnership has allowed us to build authentic connections with students, creating a more inclusive and equitable early talent pipeline. It’s a clear example of how investing in community-centered partnerships can drive both impact and alignment with our values.”

Brittany Kamson

Brittany Kamson

Senior Campus Recruiter @ Atlassian

“This partnership has truly exceeded all expectations - ColorStack is a powerhouse organization that is changing the landscape of tech through building top notch talent that just happens to come from Underrepresented backgrounds. These students are smart, engaged, curious, and have a lovely energy they're bringing to the table. Partnering with ColorStack allowed our company to build a balanced pipeline of candidates and create further engagement opportunities for our Employee Resource Groups to give back to students who are in the shoes they themselves were in back in college. It has been delightful to see the community that has been built even internally through Atlassians coming from ColorStack.”

Valerie Dionne

Valerie Dionne

Senior Early Careers Recruiter @ ZS Associates

“Through our partnership with ColorStack, we’ve connected with a talented and diverse group of students who may not have otherwise seen ZS as a place for them.These outcomes directly align with our values around belonging and inclusion expanding access to opportunity. It’s helped us build not just a more diverse pipeline, but a more informed and inclusive culture overall.”

Dwana Franklin-Davis

Dwana Franklin-Davis

CEO @ Reboot Representation

"Our partnership with ColorStack has yielded truly significant outcomes, directly advancing Reboot Representation's vision of a more equitable tech industry. We were incredibly proud to announce that Reboot has accomplished its founding mission of doubling the number of Black and Latina women graduating with computing degrees, two years ahead of schedule! This monumental achievement simply would not have been possible without exceptional partners like ColorStack, who diligently support the pathways for these talented students."

Karen Wang

Karen Wang

Recruiter @ Bloomberg Engineering

"At Bloomberg, we are committed to building inclusive, high-performing, and innovative teams. ColorStack stood out as an organization; they uplift students with technical support while building a thriving community of peers and mentors. The true success of our partnership lies in the shared impact. We didn’t just find a channel to source candidates - we found a vehicle to help us build community within the company and across the nation at our partner universities. Bloomberg is excited to continue to grow this incredible network."

Victor Cordon

Victor Cordon

Director of Social Impact @ Okta

"In just five years, ColorStack has grown a robust community - representing 10% of all Black and Latinx computer science students in the U.S. We continue to be impressed by the holistic support this community provides its participants - financial support to address hardships hindering college completion, university chapter network to create on-campus connection + an open-source member portal exposing students to coding opportunities. All of these inputs are critical to ensuring a robust pipeline of next generation technical talent."

Shannon Farley

Shannon Farley

Co-Founder & Executive Director @ Fast Forward

"ColorStack is building a future where Black and Latinx technologists thrive. Their work strengthens our shared mission to scale tech for humanity. What sets Colorstack apart is how deeply they invest in the community. Their Slack isn’t just a messaging tool. It’s a hub where thousands of students share job leads, troubleshoot code, and lift each other up. 78% of members say it’s one of ColorStack’s most valuable resources. That kind of peer support creates powerful momentum."

Sean Peters

Sean Peters

VP of Programs & Operations @ AI4ALL

"From day one, it’s been clear that ColorStack’s community-based approach complements AI4ALL’s focus on responsible AI and inclusive talent development. Our partnership with ColorStack emerged from a mutual commitment to increase representation in the AI and Computer Science fields, and the understanding that our combined efforts can multiply our impact. ColorStack welcomed us to promote AI4ALL Ignite Accelerator, our flagship program to equip college students with the necessary skills to land an AI internship, with their community. After tapping into their robust student community for just one cohort, we saw a clear and strong interest in AI4ALL's programs. We look forward to finding new ways to collaborate as both organizations mature."

Our Team

& The Hands in “All Hands”

In corporate speak, an “All Hands” meeting refers to an organization-wide meeting of team updates. At ColorStack, our weekly All Hands are more than that––it is where we connect with each other beyond the work, reminding us why we continue to show up authentically for our future of Black and Latinx innovators. Our playground of ideas comes from a team of former engineers, recruiters, and strategists.

Hear from our team on what grounded us in sustaining our joy for creating opportunity.

Jennifer Cutler

Jennifer Cutler

Program Manager

“There are times that I wonder where my path may have taken me had ColorStack been around in 2011 when I was a young woman, starting in tech, and often feeling unsure of myself and my abilities. Though this community did not exist then, there is no better way to experience it now than by supporting its growth and impact for our members.

Each day, I see our members show up for one another, supporting each other rather than competing, and building genuine relationships and safe spaces for one another to thrive, overcome insecurities, and reach their wildest dreams. Each day, this work fills me with meaningful pride and purpose.

In a world where equity and opportunity continue to diverge paths, I’m grateful that ColorStack stands as a beacon, a support system, and a community focused on strategy and impact. Our work is crucial, and the contributions our members will make in their respective roles will be timely and have a significant positive impact on the tech field. I am thankful to play a small part in a considerable magnitude.”

Johana Duarte

Johana Duarte

Program Manager

“ColorStack is building the tech industry I want to see — one where Black and Latinx CS students are seen, supported, and set up to thrive. I’ve had the privilege of helping grow our chapter network from three to over 70 colleges and universities. That growth means more than numbers — it’s about real communities forming on campus, students feeling like they finally belong, and companies showing up with intention. What makes it even more meaningful is doing this work alongside a team that truly believes in the mission. It’s hands down the best team I’ve worked with — passionate, driven, and always putting students first. Whether it’s planning events, opening doors to opportunity, or watching a student land their first offer, I do this work because I see the impact every single day. ColorStack isn’t just a community — it’s a launchpad."

Caleb Lewis

Caleb Lewis

Operations Manager

“Having been here since pretty much the beginning, I've had the pleasure of seeing our community and impact grow. Each year I get to see students we've worked with go on to do exciting things, working for some of the biggest companies or creating their own projects. It's getting to know the students as people that makes their wins feel like my own. I feel incredibly lucky to contribute to their lives in some small way and to the team overall. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to do this work with.”

Stephanie McCarter-Dadzie

Stephanie McCarter-Dadzie

Chief of Staff

“I am consistently moved by how ColorStack empowers Black and Brown students. We don't just provide resources; we help them unlock their potential and become masters of their destiny. I see the impact every day in the way they interact, building real, lasting relationships. Their "lift as you climb" mentality is palpable - constantly offering help, advice, and encouragement to one another. The ColorStack team perfectly mirrors this dedication. We're passionate, empathetic, innovative, and deeply committed to our mission and the well-being of every single member. I'm incredibly proud of the amazing community we've built - one that is purposeful and embodies our mission and values.Being a part of the ColorStack team is an honor and a highlight in my career. It's truly special to be in a workplace that intentionally cares for both its employees and its members, creating a respectful, safe, and authentic space where everyone feels supported.”

Arnell Calderon

Arnell Calderon

Development Manager

“If I were a college student at this moment, ColorStack would be my utopia. Growing up working class and navigating academic institutions with a small number of Black and Brown folks made finding community difficult. It's organizations like ColorStack that remind me that it's possible to be in community with people who are dreaming just as big as you, if not bigger. Every day in the Slack channels, we have had the gift of witnessing the direct impact of offering support and distributing resources that empower students to become their best selves. It's a huge honor to be part of the day-to-day to make that possible.”

Rami Abdou

Rami Abdou

Head of Engineering

“ColorStack’s story is my story — a sophomore Computer Science student lacking confidence/belonging who just needed his people around him to tell him he can do it…then did it! What gets me out of bed every morning is knowing that I’m helping others navigate the same problem I went through 8 years ago. I’m so proud of what we’ve built with ColorStack, becoming a household name for so many Black and Latinx CS students. Our members and partners associate “ColorStack” with community, friendship and home. I can’t wait until we see members that spent their entire 4 years of undergrad with ColorStack go on to become future VP’s of Engineering!”

Tiffani Destiné

Tiffani Destiné

Partnerships Manager

“ColorStack feels like home—a space built for us, by us, where I get to connect mission-driven companies with incredible student talent they might not find otherwise. In my partnerships role, I love being the bridge between our members and the opportunities that help launch their careers. Seeing our members win, whether it’s landing their first internship or simply feeling seen and celebrated in tech, is what keeps me going. I show up every day because the mission isn’t just work for me; it’s personal. Helping open doors and create moments of belonging for our students makes every conversation and partnership worth it.”

Jiya Pinder

Jiya Pinder

Words Normalize Behavior

“ColorStack is such a beautiful community and workplace that truly embodies its values at every level. I’ve worked in marketing across a wide range of organizations, from major brands to grassroots nonprofits, and I’ve never experienced a workplace that so intentionally and thoughtfully cares for its employees and its members. At ColorStack, care isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a practice woven into everything they do. What makes ColorStack stand out is its deep commitment to its mission of supporting Black and Latinx students in tech. That commitment shows up not only in the programs it offers but also in how it listens, adapts, and responds to the real needs and aspirations of its community. It’s a rare and inspiring place to work, and a model for what values-driven leadership can look like in action. More organizations should take note.”

Michael Franklin

Michael Franklin

Words Normalize Behavior

Working with ColorStack has been an absolute joy and privilege. They’ve built an incredibly healthy, mission-driven team that leads with authenticity, care, and a deep commitment to empowering Black and Latinx computer science students. Every collaboration feels like a true partnership — grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a real sense of community. It’s refreshing to work alongside a team that not only delivers impact but does so with heart.

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Our Board

& The ColorStack Champions

ColorStack’s Board of Directors consists of innovators from the tech ecosystem, entertainment industry, and higher education. Our board members are one of ColorStack’s strongest advocates––offering their strategic expertise in the face of victories and headwinds. This year, we’ve had the absolute honor to welcome three new board members that pushed us forward to where we are.

Dale Allsopp

Dale Allsopp

Ads Product Responsibility Officer @ Google

“I have a firm belief that Tech enables entrepreneurship and is the future of wealth and influence. For the wealth gap to be closed, underrepresented groups need to focus disproportionately on areas of wealth creation. When I was in college and considered Engineering, I got all the reasons why I would not want to major in that discipline. I didn't know anyone who was in the same position, so I didn't pursue it. If I had ColorStack, I could have made a more informed decision. Given the opportunities for wealth creation, everyone should "have a ColorStack.”

Tom Erickson

Tom Erickson

Founding Director, School of Computer Science @ University of Wisconsin-Madison

“When I returned to my alma mater in 2019 to establish the School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences, I had one key objective: to keep computer science enrollment open to all who sought the opportunity, while increasing the options for all to receive some learning in big data and computing. Technology careers have experienced significant growth, creating an extraordinary demand for graduates, but access to these opportunities remains uneven. ColorStack closes this gap by building a vibrant, supportive community for Black and Latinx computer science students, empowering them with the skills, networks, and confidence to compete on an equal footing. The energy of ColorStack’s Slack community, where students actively share interviewing strategies, employer insights, and personal successes, demonstrates the power of an authentic community. This commitment to equity and practical empowerment inspired me to join the ColorStack board, where we ensure momentum is maintained with integrity, helping every member seize opportunities they deserve in a thriving tech industry.”

Corey Twitty

Corey Twitty

Director, Executive Search @ Zillow.

Corey Twitty is an accomplished Talent Acquisition professional with over 10 years of experience across Technology, Entertainment, Fintech, and Retail. Renowned for creating and implementing innovative recruiting strategies, Corey also specializes in building and scaling programs that support early-career professionals, focusing on access, opportunity, and developing high-impact talent pipelines.

As the first person hired to lead Emerging Talent Recruiting & Programs at Netflix, Corey was tasked with building the function from scratch, establishing the team, and scaling efforts to attract and develop early-career talent for the first time in the company’s history. He successfully created opportunities across Engineering, Content, Data & Insights, Marketing, Finance, and Design globally. His work has helped establish a pipeline of diverse, highly talented candidates, positioning them to succeed and become the next generation of leaders and innovators at Netflix.

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Unwavering Gratitude

& How You Can Help

To us, gratitude is the essence of impact; it is deeper than a simple “thank you”. When ColorStack gives thanks, we are holding your engagement, cheers, and support with fierce care. Gratitude is what got us here––by taking your affirmation seriously, we reached a milestone of five years, making our mark on the lives of over 16,000 Black and Brown students. 

At ColorStack, we honor “leading with empathy” as a value that reminds us that doing this work isn’t always easy. Extending grace and generosity to our peers is crucial in building community, trust, and a practice of continuous gratitude. We thank you for leading with that same empathy to engage with us, support us, and champion us. 

It is not love if we don’t challenge you, and we challenge you to make a direct impact by: