Natalie Scarlett
Natalie Scarlett is the Founder of the Black Heritage Support Service & Tech Rootz.
Tech Rootz is the Midlands first interactive, no-coding tech event & programme designed to specifically target the Black, Deaf & Neurodivergent Communities.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
When entering the tech industry, I quickly realised there were not many Black people in any tech spaces and noted that tech was quite siloed, almost seeming like it only appealed to an upscale crowd. Within that crowd, there is a perception that makes it seem like you have to be Elon Musk to get into tech or that you need a background in computer science which is often a result of how people in tech talk about tech.
When there are schemes or initiatives that are advertised, there is always a focus on learning how to code and tech is much wider than that. Tech Rootz allows people to explore non-coding tech roles in a physical way. Roles like Delivery, Product Ownership, Design etc. We want people to enter tech rootz and leave with a feeling. We do this by having people join simulations, get involved in live demos and allow them to explore physical products. Our aim is for our community to know that tech is for them and they can enter the industry if they feel like doing so.
2. How did you get into the industry?
I entered into tech as an Agile Product Delivery Manager after using agile within previous Project Management roles. The role was amazing and knew that if I could share what I had learnt with my community then more people could enter.
3. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
I think one of the things that thrills me is the opportunities available for the Deaf and Neurodivergent community. Agile within tech removes many barriers for those groups, including using dictation software during online meetings, removing a lot of jargon and lengthy documentation and replacing it with clear and concise flow charts or clear aims and outcomes. Many tech jobs are now remote, which is perfect for many underrepresented groups, including those who experience socioeconomic barriers. Tech pays a lot and removes the ridiculous barrier of only appealing to people with degrees. It’s definitely a progressive shift to value skills over formal qualifications.
The biggest challenge is convincing people that the industry is inclusive. The industry does not actively engage the Black community and will never seek talent in the Black community so my challenge is to bring tech to my community so they have the opportunity to explore it. Inclusion doesn’t come from organisations saying they are inclusive, it comes from marginalised groups saying ‘I feel like I belong here’. The challenge is getting to that point.
4. How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is to lead by example. There is no hierarchy in our company. It belongs to the black community. I see myself as a conduit to an industry that could change lives, not only in terms of economic status but also in terms of how people see themselves. I want people to know that they can add value regardless of whether they have formal qualifications.
5. How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
I think I have the ability to make people feel good about where they are at, highlighting that we take one step at a time. Agile is about breaking down complex tasks into incremental steps, and that is something that can be applied to life. I also try to connect to the humanity in people. I think when people see the difference our work makes, they organically feel good. You can only get that by working on the frontline with real people. This is something I always want to do.
6. What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Something that is key to our success is collaboration and codesign. We work collaboratively on everything and have produced some amazing work with really talented people—the more diverse in background and personality, the greater the benefits.
Our work definitely has to be a priority and I have to be committed even on days when I don’t feel like it. Having a mission statement, vision, goals and a strategy are all important in terms of driving our work forward. You have to have a plan and a contingency plan to ensure that no matter what happens, the show goes on. A week before tech rootz the unions announced that the rail strike would be on the same day. My heart shattered but the show had to go on. We lost a couple of speakers but it really had no impact on the event because we had a good team network and were able to book stand-ins quite fast and work together to arrange travel.
7. How has the past 12 months been for you?
The last 12 months have been a whirlwind. I mean until the end of July I hadn’t had a single day off for two years. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into our work but it all paid off. This has been our most successful year but the best days are ahead of us.
8. What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
The next 12 months will include a lot more outreach and design. We would like to collab with companies to offer internships etc so that people can walk away with something tangible. Even if it is a solid idea of whether this is an industry that they would like to enter.
We are also planning a road show so that we can encourage more of the community to get involved in tech. A high hope be to launch a billboard campaign depicting Black people in tech roles across the country. We should create our own narrative. If there are any sponsors out there, get in touch.
9. What are the highlights of your career so far?
Definitely seeing so many of the community come out to tech rootz. People who have never been involved in tech before came out to learn. It was a pleasure and is really the only kind of award I need. Knowing that I can make a difference in peoples lives, that they can feel good about about the value they add. It really doesnt get better than that
10. What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
I’m not sure if I believe in mistakes. I think we follow our truth and learn from it if it doesn’t work. We are always evolving and learning. For eg when I chose the venue for tech rootz, people were confused about why I would have it in the inner city, away from the tech sector. It didn’t make sense but it made sense to me. Would we of had more attendance in an affluent area? maybe, but my goal is not to look good, its to appeal to a demographic of people who have continually been neglected. Win or lose, it was my truth and I believed in my why.
11. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
I don’t think I’ve ever been given business advice but I particularly like ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’.
