Latest news with #OpenTechnologyGroup
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland tech executive's reset inspires broader message for Men's Mental Health Month
What if the strongest thing a man can do is step away? That's exactly what Leon Burns, a Maryland tech executive, did this spring. The President and CEO of Open Technology Group unplugged from his demanding corporate life, taking a 23-day reset in Cancun, focused on rest, reflection, and therapy. "Kind of getting away from the mundane really allowed me to do a deep dive and figure out some things that I could have been doing differently or more efficiently in my life," Burns said. "Gave me a much clearer vision" For Burns, the time away wasn't about escape. It was about realignment. "It made me realize that I needed to reconnect with family a little bit more, because work had gotten so hectic," Burns said. "It also gave me a much clearer vision as to other things that I could be doing to help others." Resonating with Black men Burns' message resonates not only with men in high-pressure jobs but especially with Black men, who often feel pressured to suppress vulnerability. Licensed therapist Arnold Hicks says breaks like this aren't signs of weakness, but they are acts of strength. "You sometimes don't know how much you need the reset until you step away from it," Hicks said. "We are not rewarded for vulnerability. It's not something we have ever been taught as a strength or a skill." Value of boundaries, resisting temptation Burns also learned the value of boundaries — a tool both he and Hicks say is vital in preventing burnout and building emotional resilience. "Setting boundaries is the beginning of you taking control of your life," Hicks said. "Most people are good at setting boundaries with others, but not themselves." Burns agrees that sharing that he's learned to resist the temptation to always be on. "I learned over those 23 days in Cancun to step away — and that created a much healthier version of myself," Burns said. For those in leadership roles, Hicks says guilt shouldn't be the driving force behind staying overworked. "It's not selfish to step away. What's selfish is knowing you're on empty and continuing to give people a lesser version of you," Hicks said. "You're not helping them, or yourself." Now, as Men's Mental Health Month unfolds, both men are urging others to take action. "Even if you feel unloved or unsupported, there is help out there," Hicks said. "You don't have to go through it alone." By the numbers: Men's Mental Health According to the CDC and Mental Health America: 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but fewer than half receive treatment. Suicide rates among men are nearly four times higher than among women. Only 1 in 3 Black adults in need of mental health care receive it. 76% of men in high-stress jobs report feeling burned out. Burns and Hicks hope stories like this remind men — especially Black men — that self-care isn't optional. It's essential. "Give yourself the permission to reset and rest," Burns said. "That's not weakness. That's wisdom."
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why We Need Black Voices In Tech
Leon Burns III Photo Credit: Leon Burns III As a young Black executive in tech, Leon Burns III is making it his mission to bridge the gap between underserved communities and opportunities in STEM. In the past year, he has launched and funded 11 STEM initiatives for Black students, created a $100,000 scholarship for HBCU business and management information systems (MIS) majors at his alma mater -- historically Black Hampton University -- and provided laptops to graduating high school girls through nonprofit partnerships. Why is Burns, who is the president and CEO of Open Technology Group (OTG), doing all of this work? According to the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, whereas Black people make up 14% of the workforce in the U.S., they only account for 8% of employees in tech jobs. And their representation is even smaller among executives. According to Burns, the 'gap stems from a lack of exposure, limited investment in tech programs in our communities, and minimal access to mentors who reflect us.' Burns himself was afforded exposure to tech from an early age, which was unique compared to many of his peers. That early start made a lasting impact on him, and, as he shared, 'I have always felt a responsibility to give back and open doors for others. He added, 'With tech evolving rapidly, especially in areas like AI, there is a real fear that we will be left behind if we do not act now. That sense of urgency is what fuels my commitment to helping others see that they, too, can thrive in this field.' Currently, about ten HBCUs offer formal business analytics programs. From Burns' perspective, 'This is a major gap, especially as analytics increasingly drive decisions in business and across society.' He further explained, 'The problem is that African Americans and other minorities are often left out of the equation when these algorithms and tools are being developed. Without diverse input, the data and the decisions that follow become dangerously skewed.' Diversity in AI getty Organizational behaviorist Karim Ginena confirms Burns' thoughts, noting that both women and people of color are underrepresented in AI output in terms of answers and images. In an interview with Knowledge at Wharton, he stated, "If these issues of bias are left unaddressed, they can perpetuate unfairness in society at a very high rate. We're not just talking about your prototypical kind of bias. We're talking at an exponential rate with these automated decision systems, which is why they can be very dangerous.' According to Burns, 'My scholarship supports 20 students who major in business and minor in MIS, with a focus on those interested in business analytics careers. The goal is to build interest, expand access. This is about sparking long-term change that ensures our voices and perspectives are part of the data shaping the future.' He added, 'At OTG, I have led initiatives to close the pay gap for women in tech, launched a company-wide certification program to help our team overcome societal barriers to advancement, and created a resume revamp program to support employees pursuing internal promotions and government opportunities.' As an HBCU graduate, it was never enough for Burns to simply 'be in the tech space.' It has always been just as important to 'create real pathways for others to grow and lead in it as well.' While a student at Hampton, he learned that people thrive when they feel 'seen, supported, and included in the culture.' That lesson has shaped his leadership. For Burns, 'inclusivity and transparency' are the principles on which he has built his role as CEO. Burns is also focused on the mental health of Black people in tech, which he thinks is often overlooked in the fast-paced corporate and tech environments. I asked him how he makes mental health a priority at OTG, given his commitment. He shared, 'We added a floating holiday to everyone's schedule for a dedicated mental health day, and once a month, I sponsor a company lunch where the team comes together to openly discuss our work environment and share ideas for improvement. We also made updates to our insurance policies to provide easier access to therapy.' He further explained the reason for his commitment: 'I am a huge advocate for therapy myself and began going after my father, Leon Burns Jr., who founded the company, passed in 2011.' Burns also credits his alma mater for his learning how to embrace conversations around vulnerability. He stated that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in recent years have 'created space for students to understand how our unique challenges and insecurities can be exploited in professional environments, and why prioritizing wellness over discomfort or financial gain is an essential part of leadership.' Burns' vision is focused on transformation and access. For him, being a leader means creating environments where others can imagine more for their futures. He is focused on reshaping the tech space to be a place where equity is engineered rather than assumed. His ultimate goal: To make sure that Black students don't get left behind.
