Darius Simmons on the importance of finding your community

Darius Simmons is a Software Engineer at Plaid, working on the Financial Identity team (FIT). He helps create products that make it easier for users to understand and utilize their financial accounts. Plaid's mission is to unlock financial freedom for everyone by empowering innovators to materially improve people's lives. Darius loves working at Plaid because he can positively impact people's financial lives, something he feels strongly about. He describes Plaid as "hungry" in its determination to make a difference in the world. One of Plaid's principles that resonates with him is "Make it better," which encourages employees to improve or fix things. Darius grew up in Frisco, Texas and pursued software engineering after discovering his passion for computer science in college. He joined Plaid because he was excited about the company's mission and products, and found the interview process smooth and practical. As a founding member of Plaid's Community Resource Group, Plaids of Color (PLoC), Darius has worked to support people of color within the company during difficult times. He shares his experiences as a Black person in tech, emphasizing the importance of finding community and mentorship. His single greatest passion is working to improve the lives of Black people in America through mentorship and involvement in local politics. The best piece of advice he has received is that "you are the expert of your own life," which helps him lead with compassion and empathy.