My father was IBM’s first black software engineer
Tangentially related to the article but I think my story is a good reality check for myself and others about racism. Now I am one of those individuals that ascribe every malty or advantage to racism but I absolutely agree that in form it still exists and sometimes those perpetuating it do not even know they are doing it. Anyways on to my story and on to one of the absolute best things that ever happened to me in my life.<p>About 15 years ago I was at a cross roads, I have had a great career as a good developer that has made a name for himself. I joined a startup, planned a strategy and we had a very successful exit. I went on to join one of our suppliers who was having serious technical challenges, as the CTO I righted the company (they where in no trouble but severely missing their mark as far as potential goes due to technical limitations). After fixing this orgs tech problems we where bought out by the largest global travel conglomerate.<p>After this, my name proceeded me in the Orlando technical market and it is here were we get to the meat of the story (TLDR start reading here). Anyways, we sold, and I was basically in a figure head position, no real responsibilities and no real future other than collecting a pay check for past efforts. It was not what I wanted to do so I started applying for positions. One such was with a 14 billion a year company that was very successful in their market, but had technical problems limiting their growth. I am being intentionally vague on the details of this company as I do not want to identify the CEO or the organization.<p>So I interview and I nail it, I interview with the white VP&#x27;s, the white board of directors and the black CEO. I nailed it so hard that the board offers me the job and package before talking to the CEO. I mean on the spot in the interview, I am asked by the board what kind of package do we need to put together to get you on-board.<p>So we talk, we put together a package and I leave thinking I am starting a new gig. The hiring consultant (similar to a recruiter but works with execs) calls the next day to tell me congratulations. Only to call me the nest day to tell me there is a huge row between the board and the CEO and that I would be best to wait it out.<p>I find out that this row is due to the fact that the CEO and founder is adamant about hiring his friend who has been the CTO of a small college. In his role he has never managed custom software development (which they did a lot of) and was basically a glorified network administrator. This gentleman was black.<p>I was thus offered a consultancy gig by the board to bring this CTO up to speed. Which I naturally declined.<p>While most would think this is a story of sour grapes, it is one of the best events that has happened to me in my life. As a white man I have never experienced another individual preferred over me solely because that person identified with the other individual. Even if that persons qualifications are inferior to my own. It opened my eyes and I am grateful to that CEO for it.<p>I actually remained in contact with said CEO and we later became good friends. One night at dinner, I point blanked asked him about it and this is what he told me. He said Kenton, you have a name in this community with you sale of companies to HRN and to TUI, you have no problem opening doors, you where absolutely the best candidate that walked thru our door. That being said, had someone of my same race had not choose me over the more qualified candidate I would not be where I am today, He said you see we don&#x27;t get the opportunities to advance like you naturally do and if we don&#x27;t help each other get those opportunities they never manifest.<p>He told me he was the one that suggested the package of me coming in as a consultant to mentor the new CTO as he wanted to provide the same opportunity that he had been provided.<p>I was floored, and pretty much felt like a dickhead for asking the question. My only response was, had I known. To which he replied well I could not exactly level with you given the fact that we where not friends at the time.<p>I went on to mentor his CTO and they where hugely successful exiting to a fortune 5 company. In the end it was a happy ending, and I learned a few things about humanity and racism. It was one of the greatest learning experiences I have ever had.