In an era of #MeToo and strong female representation, it’s easy to forget that women remain largely invisible in the field of technology. Although data from Girls Who Code shows that 74 percent of young girls express interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to an The Atlantic story earlier this year, women only account for 18 percent of American computer-science college degrees.

It’s even worse for women of color. African-American women hold only three percent of computing occupations, according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Three percent. It’s a staggering statistic.

In a recent story for EdSurge, Jessie Woolley-Wilson, CEO of DreamBox Learning, and Kimberly Bryan, CEO of Black Girls CODE, sat down to discuss the issues facing women of color in the tech industry.   

Some highlights:

– Systems disenfranchise women of color from kindergarten on.

– Students today have broader opportunities for learning in non-traditional environments.

– Traditional learning environments still exist and remain necessary.

– Digital tools and innovation may level the playing field for youth of color.

– Early-math education is critical to a child’s pursuit of a career in STEM.

– The issues are systemic and require a multi-pronged approach which addresses everything from what images girls of color are presented with as STEM role models, to how we train, educate, and encourage girls of color in the classroom.

Check out the whole conversation here.