Literature Review

In our research, we found that there is a lack of diversity in industries such as high tech, legal, higher education, congress, and more. These industries lack diversity specifically within the realms of gender and racial diversity. We found several sources that included data on diversity within the specific industries, as well as reasons for the lack of diversity.

 

According to a report by the Association of American Colleges & Universities, there is a growth in access to higher education, but a lack of access to opportunities and experiences due to racial and ethnic discrimination. In the legal field, a 2019 American Bar Association report explained that the ratio of men to women lawyers is nearly 2:1, and 85% of lawyers are white, compared to 77% of the U.S. population. In the high tech industry, a Comptia report found that the gender gap is widest when it comes to pay equity and explained how diverse workforces spur innovation. In a report by the Pew Research Center, we found that the most recent 117th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, though is still primarily dominated by white males, with the Senate being 88% White and 76% Male, and the House of Representatives being 71% White and 72% Male.

 

Almost all of the reports we found explained the importance of diversity and how it can actually increase success within these industries. For example, a report called "Diversity Matters" indicates that there is a statistically significant increase in financial return when there is more diversity within the leadership team of a company.