Leon M. Burns 
Leon M. Burns
Featured In
🔗 Code & Culture
Explore diversity in tech, sharing my journey and stories of guests who’ve overcome barriers to succeed.
🔗 The Power of Inclusion: Shaping the Future of Government IT
Diversity in government IT is more critical now than ever before. A variety of perspectives and approaches to problem-solving can drive stronger, more innovative solutions, particularly in cybersecurity and programming, which are taught differently worldwide.
🔗 Trailblazing Tech Leader and Hampton University Alum Leon Burns Recognized in Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40
Washington, DC – Leon M. Burns, a respected leader and innovator in the technology industry, has been recognized as one of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees for 2025. This prestigious list highlights young professionals who have made a significant impact in their industries and communities.
🔗 Hampton University Alumni Affairs's Post
Alumni Spotlight: Leon Burns ‘12 | Ogre Phi Ogre 14
🔗 Building Tech Communities – Empowering the Next Generation of Black Innovators
In a time where access, representation, and innovation in tech are more important than ever, mentoring the next generation of Black tech leaders has become a central mission in my work.
🔗 Real Talk With Renisher Roberts
Meet Leon Burns, a recent recipient of the 40 under 40 award. He is a philanthropist and the owner of a tech company. Leon donates thousands of dollars in scholarships to students in the IT/Tech field, which is significantly underrepresented by African Americans. His primary goal is to continue giving back to his community and to serve as a positive role model..
🔗 Leon Burns Honored in Washington Business Journal's 2025 "40 Under 40
Celebrating Leon's inclusion in the Washington Business Journal's prestigious 2025 "40 Under 40" list, recognizing the region's next generation of business leaders.
This acknowledgment highlights Leon's professional achievements and community contributions, among the top young leaders shaping the future of Greater Washington.
The 2025 "40 Under 40" Awards event was held February 20, 2025, at SPIN Ping Pong Social Club in Washington, D.C.
🔗 Behind the Scenes: Leon Burns Receives Business Elite USA Forty Under 40 Award
Step into the journey of Leon Burns as he receives the prestigious Business Elite USA Forty Under 40 award in New York City on June 25th, 2024. From candid moments to inspiring reflections, this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage captures the celebration of leadership, impact, and dedication to excellence.
🔗 The Organisational Inclusionist
On this episode of The Organisational Inclusionist, Grace Mosuro is joined by Leon Burns to discuss the current EDI backlash in the United States and Leon's great work increasing representation within STEM in the U.S.
🔗 Business Elite Forty Under 40 USA
The highly anticipated 2024 Business Elite's "40 Under 40" Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner, held at New York's renowned historic venue, The Beekman, a Thompsons Hotel, celebrated the exceptional career successes of this year’s 40 Honorees.
07/02/24
🔗 WJLA-TV Channel 7 Covers Mission Fulfilled 2030's Technology to Manhood Lecture Series
Without skipping a beat, we launched our inaugural program, the "Technology to Manhood Lecture Series." This program is more than just an event; it's a groundbreaking convergence of Black Men in Tech and boys, coming together to craft solutions to solve our own community problems.
02/23/24
🔗 Congratulations to Leon Burns and Open Technology Group for Receiving the Silver Anthem DEI Employee Volunteer Team & Leadership Award
The OTG Inc. DEIB in Black Tech initiative leveraged small businesses to foster equity through internal DEIB actions, pay scale growth, and expert consultations. Our approach propelled tech careers and externally, sponsored STEM programs and mental health support for marginalized communities, spanning grade school to college.
01/30/24
🔗 Leon Burns Donates $100K In Student DEIB Tech Scholarships
Hampton, VA — Leon Burns, President and CEO of Open Technology Group, is proud to announce a significant milestone in his ongoing journey of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in the field of technology, with a $100,000 scholarship commitment to students in the James T. George School of Business at his alma mater Hampton University.
12/22/23
🔗 7 ways diversity and inclusion help teams perform better
Leon Burns, president and CEO at Open Technology Group has worked hard to develop a diverse team and seen huge benefits from it. “For my field, for people who look like me, walls have been put up to keep us out. Typically, IT is only 15% black and 21% women. We’ve constructed our team so that we have 95% minority races and 37% women.”
10/31/23
🔗 Accessibility and Belonging: Cornerstones of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Belonging is particularly essential in educational and workplace settings. A sense of belonging has been shown to boost motivation, engagement, and overall well-being. When individuals feel like they belong, they are more likely to thrive and contribute fully to their communities and organizations. Accessibility and belonging are not separate entities. They intersect and reinforce each other.
10/25/23
🔗 United for a Cure: Leon Burns and Open Technology Group at Breathe Deep TOGETHER
Through initiatives like breaking down barriers for African American youth in the IT field, producing the YouTube series “Black Mental Health Matters,” promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, and co-chairing an annual fundraising event for LUNGevity Foundation, Leon continues his father’s—Leon Burns Jr.’s—dedication to going above and beyond, and doing it with enthusiasm.
10/25/23
🔗 6 Entrepreneurs Share How Their Organization is Addressing DEIB
In a rapidly evolving world, the success of any organization is intricately woven with its commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). As the driving forces behind your ventures, you understand that embracing these principles isn't just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity. In this dynamic landscape, where innovation knows no bounds and customers seek authentic connections, your organization's approach to DEIB stands as a testament to its values and aspirations.
We asked business leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners about how their organization is addressing DEIB and here are the responses.
9/15/23
🔗 Congratulations to Leon Burns and Open Technology Group for Receiving the Silver Anthem DEI Employee Volunteer Team & Leadership Award
The OTG Inc. DEIB in Black Tech initiative leveraged small businesses to foster equity through internal DEIB actions, pay scale growth, and expert consultations. Our approach propelled tech careers and externally, sponsored STEM programs and mental health support for marginalized communities, spanning grade school to college.
01/30/24
🔗 Technology is Pushing DEI Initiatives in Government
Technology helping to increase diversity, inclusion and equity in Corporate America seems like a given. Still, there are those who would rather ignore data that shows the benefits of practicing equality when hiring. For Hampton University alum, Leon Burns, implementing data modules has allowed him and his team to successfully help prove variation strategies for government contract bids. What does this all mean?
-The Quintessential Gentleman Magazine
3/29/23
🔗 2019 FORTY UNDER 40 PRESS RELEASE
They come from different cities and backgrounds, but no matter their many differences, this years members of the newly inducted Forty Under 40 Class of 2019 are collectively leading the way in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors and are doing so while strengthening the heritage of their beloved alma mater Hampton University.
10/24/19