Driving Change: Tariq Myers’ Journey in Promoting Diversity at Lyft
Driving Change: Tariq Myers’ Journey in Promoting Diversity at Lyft
In the heart of Silicon Valley, Tariq Myers, Lyft’s head of inclusion and diversity, is steering the company towards a more inclusive future. His journey, from a young advocate for social justice to a key player in one of the world’s leading tech companies, is as inspiring as it is impactful.
The Early Years: A Passion for Justice
Born and raised in Boston, Myers’ passion for social justice was ignited at a young age. He witnessed firsthand the systemic issues that hindered his friends from achieving their dreams. This sparked a fire within him, a desire to advocate for those who were marginalized and underrepresented.
Education and Early Career: Laying the Foundation
Myers’ educational journey took him to Boston College High School, where he conducted research on cultural identity, earning him a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Princeton University Prize in Race Relations. He continued his studies at Ithaca College, where he was a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar, earning a BA in political science and government with a minor in African diaspora studies.
His early career saw him serving as an Economic Equity Fellow at the Greenlining Institute, advocating for inclusive policy-making processes to help reverse the impacts of the 2008 financial crisis on underserved communities.
Joining Lyft: A New Chapter
Myers’ transition to the private sector came when he joined Lyft. Initially hired as a community affairs organizer, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the head of inclusion and diversity. His promotion in September 2016 marked a significant step in Lyft’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Transforming Lyft’s Culture
Under Myers’ leadership, Lyft has taken significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion. The company has chartered eight employee resource groups (ERGs), including UpLyft Women, UpLyft Unidos, and UpLyft Veterans. It has also formalized its support for transgender employees with manager education and training, an ERG, health coverage options for transitioning-related care, and support while transitioning on the job.
Lyft’s commitment to diversity is further evidenced by its signing of the White House’s Tech Inclusion Pledge in June 2016. The company vowed to implement specific goals to recruit and retain diverse employees and measure its progress.
Myers’ Vision for Lyft
Myers envisions Lyft as a model for its peers, a company where everyone, regardless of their background, has an opportunity to thrive. He believes in the power of community and storytelling, in seeing people for who they are and actualizing their full potential.
Addressing ‘Bro Culture’ in Silicon Valley
Myers is not one to shy away from tough conversations. He acknowledges the existence of ‘bro culture’ in Silicon Valley and the transportation industry. Lyft’s pink mustache, he explains, was a symbol of the company’s commitment to making women feel safe and included.
The company conducts annual engagement surveys focused on inclusion and has all its executives undergo unconscious bias training. Myers is proud of these initiatives but acknowledges that there is still much work to be done.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Myers sees his biggest challenge as pushing the industry to focus less on the numbers and more on the culture. He believes that people often overcomplicate his job, but at its core, it’s about community building.
He is proud of the initiatives at Lyft, from the creation of his role to the signing of the White House inclusion pledge. He is particularly proud of the company’s diversity recruiting policy and its first inclusion policy for trans employees.
As Lyft continues to grow and evolve, so too does its commitment to diversity and inclusion. With Tariq Myers at the helm, the company is well on its way to becoming a true model for its peers.
For more information on Lyft’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, visit their official website.
