Centering racial equity and inclusion in Pittsburgh's innovation economy

• Published in: Policy File 2023
• Main Authors: Carmona, Tonantzin, Rezk, Peter
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Industry; The Brookings Institution; Urban Areas

In recent years, there's been no shortage of headlines positioning Pittsburgh as the next Silicon Valley. These aspirational narratives are built on the success of the region's advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and autonomous systems clusters, which rose out of close collaboration and strategic investments from public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors dedicated to Pittsburgh's turnaround. Such innovation comes with many benefits and competitive advantages for a local economy. But in the case of Pittsburgh, it's worth asking: For whom is this "turnaround" intended? And given Silicon Valley's reputation for maintaining white-majority and exclusionary workplaces, vast wealth inequities, and a housing crisis, should Pittsburgh really follow its example? To ensure Pittsburgh does not fall into this same trap, inclusion cannot be an afterthought, and racial equity concerns need to be viewed front and center. Fortunately, several things are working in Pittsburgh's favor to ensure its leaders do not make the same mistakes as other tech hubs. In addition to the city's Roadmap for Inclusive Innovation, the region also hosts several convening bodies, conferences, apprenticeship programs, and other initiatives devoted to strengthening diversity in STEM education and workforce pipelines. There are also incubators, accelerators, and hubs that help diverse entrepreneurs start and build their companies through education, mentorship, and co-working communities. But even with these initiatives in place, an inclusive innovation economy in Pittsburgh is not inevitable. A concerted effort is necessary to move beyond data, planning, and one-time or siloed initiatives, and toward a city and regional commitment to racial equity and inclusion.