SYNERGY - Juneteenth 2022

Wesley Roby

Story By: Heaven Taylor-Wynn

If you asked Wesley Roby 12 years ago what his career path would be, it would not be working in Information Technology (IT). The 38-year-old husband and father of three had no plans to pursue a career in tech back in those days. He was busy nurturing his relationship with his music.

He labored in his home studio for hours producing and engineering hip-hop, pop and rock and roll tracks. “I made music for a long time [after] high school,” he said. Roby grew up enjoying artists like Jimi Hendrix, Outkast and The Roots. While in high school he bonded with a girl named Natalya Bannister over their shared affinity for Hendrix, their favorite song being Voodoo Child.

Roby’s musical dreams faded when he realized he would have to compromise parts of himself to be successful in the industry. “I wasn’t going to put myself out on this platform and be another version of myself,” he said. “That wasn’t who I am.”

So, Roby sought an intellectual challenge that would exercise his brain. Today’s he’s a Tech Analyst in IT Support for NBC right from the comfort of his own home. He helps resolve technical challenges for his colleagues at NBC whether they need help with their devices in the office or require remote support.

Roby started at NBC working in a call center for the Golf Channel. He devised a plan to enter the IT department there which started with networking with a woman named Nikki who became his mentor. “Seeing a Black woman in IT in that role just made me feel the comfort in that role to reach out,” he said.

Nikki helped him set up a shadowing day where he learned about how things worked on the IT side. A month passed and a position opened up in the IT department which the manager recommended he apply for.

Roby is passionate about sharing his story because he wants others to know it’s possible to achieve even if you have an unconventional path. His mentor Nikki really helped him get his foot in the door and he makes a point to do the same for other people.

Roby is supportive of others in every aspect of his life. As he looks to the future he aspires to become a systems administrator dealing more with the behind-the-scenes work which includes setting up servers and maintaining them.

Despite a small bump in the road that could have thrown him entirely off course, Wesley Roby champions closing the diversity gap in technology for people of color. “I feel that there is a huge gap in minorities in technology and the different roles that we can play,” he said.

Roby continues to express his authentic self at home and work drawing upon his musical roots. Whether it’s paying homage to one of his favorite artists in his daughter’s name, Hendrix or dressing in his rock and roll aesthetic, Roby continues to prove there’s no wrong way to present as a professional in tech.