Designing High-Impact Mentorship Paths for BIPOC in Tech
Designed for Mid-to-senior HR business partners and DEI leads at tech firms tasked with launching or revamping mentorship programs for BIPOC employees to spark real collaboration and high-energy learning.
An 80-minute, virtual interactive workshop. Attendees are experienced in HR/DEI but facing pressure to deliver measurable impact for BIPOC retention and advancement. Most have struggled with one-size-fits-all mentorship frameworks and are seeking practical, culturally-anchored solutions that resonate with both mentors and mentees.
Invisible Ladder Challenge
Participants view a short slide showing tech leadership ladders with anonymized names, then are asked: 'What’s missing here?' This visual curiosity builder sparks discussion about the hidden barriers and gap patterns in BIPOC career progression.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
It taps into natural pattern recognition and primes participants to question the visible (and invisible) structures shaping advancement.
Mentorship Myths Speed-Buster
In a rapid-fire poll, participants vote ‘True’ or ‘False’ on 3 common statements about mentorship effectiveness for BIPOC tech talent. Immediate, research-backed clarifications are revealed after each vote.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Reveals entrenched misconceptions and resets expectations with data, reducing bias and guesswork.
Mentor Map Warm-Up
Invite participants to drop an emoji or single word describing how they felt in their most impactful mentorship experience. See the range on a slide or digital whiteboard—no explanations required.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Lowers participation pressure, lets introverts and hesitant voices contribute, and surfaces emotional realities of mentorship.
Mentorship Remix Jam
Break into small groups to build a new, BIPOC-centered mentorship journey using ‘remix cards’ (physical or digital) with possible interventions (e.g., affinity group mentoring, reverse mentoring, community celebration rituals). Teams have 5 minutes to assemble their “Remix Path” and pitch it in 30 seconds.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Boosts energy, creativity, and peer learning—participants see new, non-traditional options and learn from each other's rapid prototyping.
The Reluctant Mentor Dilemma
Present a real-world mini-case: ‘A high-potential BIPOC engineer is matched with a mentor who’s supportive but unprepared for cultural conversations. The mentee is disengaging. What’s your next move?’ Participants discuss solutions in pairs, share back, and rank options.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Deepens learning by placing people in authentic, emotionally-resonant dilemmas—translating theory to practice.
Mentorship Mosaic Reflection
Participants close by writing a private note to themselves: ‘What can I commit to changing in our mentorship approach for BIPOC colleagues?’ Volunteers share aloud if comfortable. Facilitator then reads a short, anonymized quote from a BIPOC tech mentee to anchor commitments.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Connects learning to personal action and empathy, anchoring the session in lived experience and forward momentum.
Sign up to unlock 3 more activities
Get the full pack, facilitation flow, and more ready-to-run ideas.