Technology is accelerating at a dizzying pace, and companies that want to revolutionize the world need to include their consumers into building the future. As big tech companies build a new internet, they must include ALL of the people who are going to be part of that future.

Companies benefit from Black and Brown consumers but usually do not give them a seat at the table when their products are being built. 

In order for us to achieve a truly inclusive society, we need diverse perspectives and diversity of thought in the products we build.

As companies develop the products of the future (virtual reality, metaverses, fintech), they must also change their approach to diversity and equity in product management: rather than considering diversity as a noble cause, “the right thing to do” or as social justice or worse, as a philanthropic cause, it will be better to present a business case and use data to argue for true inclusion in new and existing products.

Here are some hard facts: over 30 percent of the U.S. population is Black or Latino, they’re a powerful consumer base; including them in every step of shipping a product makes economic sense. That means not only building products for them but also having product managers that reflect the country's and the world's diversity.

Moreover, companies need to bring an international, global perspective to new products, ensuring that they protect marginalized populations around the world and that none of those products harm minority groups or vulnerable people in volatile countries.

Product management is supposed to be a customer-centric, data-driven discipline, therefore, customers of all backgrounds must be catered to and products should be designed with their interests, preferences and nuances in mind.

Only those companies that quickly understand this, and adapt, will come out on top.