/about
engineering excellence, together.

who we are.
/dev /color is the global career accelerator for Black software engineers, technologists, and executives. And, we are the go-to accountability partner for the companies who invest in, employ and are led by them.
What started as a small squad in 2015 has grown to a community of 600+ professional members. Nearly 1,000 leaders have participated for one or more years in A* (A Star), our flagship peer mentorship program for software engineers. And, our global community reach across all media outlets is more than 20,000 strong. By design, /dev/color brings Black engineering leaders together to surface and solve some of our most pressing challenges – for us, by us, and we’re just getting started!
show up, level up,
and thrive.
Software engineers are uniquely positioned to improve the world—a single developer can design products that change millions of lives and the course of history as we will know it. Yet, progressing in the industry while Black remains exceedingly difficult.
Together, as squads, companies, and communities, we are changing the game by engineering excellence and advancement for Black software engineers, technologists, teams, and companies.
we are committed.
As Black software engineers,
technologists, and partners we will…

accelerate collective advancement
of Black technologists.

increase our access
to executive leadership.

increase accountability
for racial equity, representation,
and belonging in our partnerships.

connect Black technologists
and employers to cultivate
and increase impact.
get involved.

support our work

become a member

become a partner
member stories

how it all started.
Over the years, Black leaders have been largely excluded from the fastest-growing technical careers in the nation.
Inspired to build community and impact, our founder, Makinde Adeagbo, convened a small group of fellow Black software engineers in Silicon Valley to start /dev/color.
They had each others’ backs, helped each other grow, and set the stage for /dev/color’s signature peer mentorship program, A*, to grow. Since then we’ve helped one another make career moves, learn new technologies, start companies, and find our squad in Silicon Valley and across the country.
our board of directors.

Brian Mariner
Board Chair
Software Engineering Manager
Apple

Rhonda Allen
CEO of /dev/color

Aneesha Raines
Senior Engineering Manager,
O(1) Labs

Aston Motes
Angel Investor

Beverly Watson
Director of Scholars Program
King Philanthropies

Camille Hearst
Head of Spotify for Artists
Spotify

Damien Peters
Founder, Wealth Noir

Lindsay Lee
Founder & Managing Partner
Authentic Ventures

Nick Caldwell
VP of Engineering, Twitter

our CEO.
Rhonda Allen serves as CEO of /dev/color, which equips Black software engineers and technologists with an unparalleled community of support, accountability, and professional development to shape the future as technology industry leaders.
She leads /dev/color with the deep conviction that advancing Black technologists will strengthen communities and accelerate progress toward a more equitable future.
our team.

Ashley McPherson
Director of Innovation
& Programs

Jean Nicole Morelos
Director of Operations

Jean Paul Ngiruwera
Programs Manager

Marilyn Bekolo
Director of Membership Strategy & Growth

Marissa Houston
Programs Coordinator

Rhonda Payne
Chief Operating Officer

Sarah Souza
Community Manager

Tyla Daniels
Operations Manager