What BLK Men In Tech does

BLK Men in Tech (legal name: BLK Men in Tech, Incorporated) is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Kham Ward in 2021 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It builds a community platform aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of Black men in the technology industry — currently 7% of the tech workforce and less than 3% of executives — by providing mentorship, scholarships, networking, career development, and events for current and aspiring Black tech professionals, with secondary engagement from corporate partners and allies.

The organization's core offerings center on an annual THRIVE Conference (flag-ship event in its 5th year for 2026), a three-tier recurring Membership Program (Curious & Connected at $27/month, Game Changer at $57/month, Influencer at $97/month), and a portfolio of sub-products including the Scholars Program ($1,000 educational awards), ClassroomS.P.A.C.E, the CyberS.P.A.C.E innovation hub at Florida Memorial University, and event series (BLKOut, Tech Connect, CodeBLK, Career Compass, Cigars & Conversation). Supporting content includes The Plug blog and a Shopify-based merchandise store with proceeds directed to scholarships.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit revenue stack: recurring membership fees (with 10% earmarked for scholarships), one-time conference ticket sales ($199-$499 tiers), corporate sponsorship revenue (Intuit, AWS, McDonald's, Shipt, Workday, Discover, TikTok, F5 Networks, Porsche), merchandise sales, and donations via PayPal. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the organization's website and ticketing partner Zeffy, supplemented by on-site recruitment channels (Recruiter Row) and a resume book shared with hiring companies. Reported impact metrics include 75,000+ community members across 27 countries, 450+ individuals hired, $26M+ in household income increased, and 8,000+ individuals impacted through philanthropic programs.

Name

BLK Men In Tech

Legal name

BLK Men in Tech, Incorporated

Website

https://blkmenintech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BLK Men in Tech is a US-based non-profit that runs a community platform, annual THRIVE conference, and tiered membership program to advance Black men in technology through mentorship, scholarships, networking, and corporate-sponsored career development, serving 75,000+ members across 27 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Community and Networking

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Career Networks (BPAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Training Course Marketplaces (B2B Content Libraries) (EDAFAIAH), B2B Demand Generation & Lead Nurture Agencies (BPAFAKAA)

Keywords

• Community networking platform
• Professional conference events
• Diversity scholarship programs
• Membership subscription services
• Tech career mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly subscription revenue from tiered membership program offering Curious & Connected ($27/month), Game Changer ($57/month), and Influencer ($97/month) tiers with varying benefits including event access, networking, and career development resources.
2. Event Tickets: Revenue from THRIVE conference ticket sales across Student ($199), General Admission ($299), and VIP ($499) tiers, plus additional revenue from workshops, career services, and premium experiences.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel and accessories through Shopify store. Proceeds support scholarships and educational resources for students pursuing tech careers.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership revenue from corporate sponsors including Intuit, AWS, McDonald's, Shipt, Workday, and other tech companies seeking to engage with Black talent in tech.
5. Donations: Charitable donations supporting scholarships and educational resources for underrepresented students in technology, with focus on Black male representation in tech.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BLK Men In Tech is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a community platform for Black men in the technology industry, providing access to mentorship, scholarships, networking events, and career development resources. Its flagship offering is the annual THRIVE Conference, complemented by a tiered membership program, a merchandise store funding scholarships, educational initiatives such as the Scholars Program and CyberS.P.A.C.E innovation hub, and a series of community events (BLKOut, Tech Connect, CodeBLK, Career Compass).

Product overview

BLK Men in Tech operates as a community platform organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offering is the BLK Men in Tech Community Platform, which provides mentorship, scholarships, networking, and events. This is supported by the flagship THRIVE Conference (both the annual series and the 2026 celebration), a three-tier Membership Program (Curious & Connected, Game Changer, Influencer), and educational initiatives including the Scholars Program ($1,000 awards), ClassroomS.P.A.C.E, and the CyberS.P.A.C.E Innovation Hub at Florida Memorial University. The organization also offers content through The Plug blog series, event programming (BLKOut, Tech Connect, CodeBLK, Career Compass), and a merchandise store with proceeds funding scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THRIVE Conference: Annual flagship conference celebrating Black men in tech with speakers, workshops, networking, and career development opportunities. Marked as 5th anniversary in 2025/2026.
• The Plug
• BLK Men in Tech Scholars Program
• ClassroomS.P.A.C.E
• CyberS.P.A.C.E
• Tech Connect
• CodeBLK
• BLKOut
• Cigars & Conversation
• Career Compass

Products and services

• THRIVE Conference The annual flagship conference uniting Black tech talent, executives, and corporate partners across the tech industry, featuring mainstage sessions, workshops, networking events, recruiter row, career services, and cultural experiences. Sold via Student ($199), General Admission ($299), and VIP ($499) ticket tiers.
• BLK Men in Tech Membership Program Three-tier monthly membership program providing member portal access, discounted event tickets, swag, resume reviews, 1:1 career development sessions, priority company referrals, executive roundtables, and complimentary THRIVE passes for top-tier members.
• BMiT Merch Store Direct e-commerce storefront selling branded t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories, with proceeds supporting scholarships and educational resources for students pursuing tech careers.
• BLKOut Event Series Recurring event series connecting tech professionals, aspiring tech talent, and recruiters through cultural and music-themed networking experiences.
• Tech Connect Event Networking event connecting tech professionals with companies for career growth and community service impact.
• CodeBLK VIP Experience Exclusive VIP experience engaging tech executives and Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders in a dynamic environment for relationship-building.
• Career Compass Virtual Workshops Company-sponsored virtual workshops offering immersive looks into employer cultures with direct recruiter access for attendees.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IntuitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor of BLK Men in Tech events including THRIVE conference. CEO Kamau Witherspoon provided testimonial. Hosts executive lunch for invite-only networking.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor supporting BLK Men in Tech events and talent development initiatives.
• McDonald'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor presenting sessions at THRIVE 2024 including 'Digitizing the Arches' workshop. DEI representatives participate in panels and discussions.
• ShiptcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor with CEO Kamau Witherspoon providing testimonial about the unmatched community experience at BLK Men in Tech events.
• WorkdaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor supporting BLK Men in Tech initiatives and diversity recruitment efforts.
• DiscovercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTHRIVE 2024 partner presenting 'Thriving Together: Building Bridges to Success' workshop on community and networking impact.
• TikTokminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented 'Monetizing content as an underrepresented creator' workshop at THRIVE 2024.
• F5 NetworksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted invite-only dinner at THRIVE 2024 conference.
• PorscheminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVIP Experience sponsor for platinum level ticket holders at THRIVE 2024.
• Baddies in TechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for 'Sunset & Beat' evening event at THRIVE 2024.
• Urban Trivia LiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPowered 'THRIVE After Dark' evening networking event at THRIVE 2024.
• Florida Memorial UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBCU partner hosting CyberS.P.A.C.E innovation hub on campus designed to develop talent pipeline and engage community through technology.
• Georgia State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner receiving scholarship support from BLK Men in Tech Scholars program.
• Clark Atlanta UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner receiving scholarship support from BLK Men in Tech Scholars program.
• Living CorporateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner featuring BLK Men in Tech content and coverage.
• Gilley's DallasminorOthersIconic venue host for THRIVE 2026 conference designed for inspiration, learning, and connection.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blacks in Technology Foundation: Non-profit community organization dedicated to Black professionals in technology, operating conferences (BITCON), local chapters, and career resources — overlapping mission, audience, and event-driven model.
• https://blkmenintech.com/dev/color: Member-based professional community for Black software engineers and technologists, offering networking, mentorship, and career support — directly comparable mission, target audience, and community-led GTM motion to BMiT.
• Jopwell: Career platform connecting underrepresented minority professionals — including Black technologists — with corporate opportunities; closest direct functional competitor on the talent-placement side of BMiT's offering.
• Code2040: Non-profit advancing Black and Latinx representation in tech through fellowships, talent programs, and corporate partnerships — directly comparable DEI-in-tech talent-pipeline model with similar employer-sponsored funding.
• Black Men Talk Tech: Podcast- and event-led community platform for Black male founders and tech professionals — directly comparable target demographic (Black men in tech) with content-and-events GTM motion.
• Inclusively: Workforce solutions platform focused on placing underrepresented talent including professionals with disabilities and diverse candidates into corporate roles — comparable employer-sponsored talent-pipeline business model.

Emerging players

• Black Girls in Tech: Community organization for Black women in technology offering events, mentorship, and career support — adjacent demographic and mission, comparable community-led structure but distinct audience segment.

Broad incumbents

• NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers): Long-established non-profit for Black engineering students and professionals with large student chapters at HBCUs, conventions, and corporate partnerships — operates at much greater scale with comparable HBCU pipeline mission.
• AnitaB.org: Large-scale non-profit advancing women in tech through events (Grace Hopper), talent programs, and corporate partnerships — comparable community-and-events operating model at meaningfully larger scale.
• Year Up: Large non-profit talent-development organization providing training and corporate placements for young adults from underrepresented backgrounds — analogous talent-pipeline-plus-corporate-partnership operating model at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/blkmenintech
• Instagraminstagram.com/blkmenintech
• Xx.com/blkmenintech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blk-men-in-tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BLK Men In Tech