High-Tech Diversity Still Lacking

Speaking in San Jose, Calif., at the Silicon Valley Digital Connections conference on diversity, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson of Rainbow/Push Coalition of Chicago noted that the high-tech industry still has a long way to go. Despite the industry's reputation as having a diverse work force, minorities continue to be under represented in executive positions.

Companies have both an ethical and an economic incentive to reform, Jackson said. "The American dream can only work when everybody is included. We who have been locked out traditionally represent market, money, talent and growth."

Rainbow/Push owns stock in 44 high-tech companies, Jackson noted, and of their 356 directors, only six are black, three are Hispanic, 19 are Asian and 35 are women.