Celebrating Women Technologists From Around the Globe

Listen up.

There are about 4.4 million software developers in the US. But there are 26.9 million software developers around the world.

Of course, that’s just one tech role.

There’s a whole world of us techies out there. Now more than ever we need to acknowledge the importance of diversity in tech. All year round we should celebrate Black women in technology, women of color in tech, and women of all racial, cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic backgrounds who spark innovation, change, and inclusivity in the industry across the globe.

The Power of Inclusion & Diversity in Tech

???? Solve Problems

Think about it: Diverse perspectives help us see the bigger picture. They bring fresh ideas to the table, creating solutions that speak to a broader audience. Cognitively diverse teams can solve problems even faster, according to the Harvard Business Review. It’s why studies show tech firms with diverse leadership and management generate 19% more revenue.?

???? Drive Innovation

Technology is all about innovation, and innovation is all about fresh perspectives, new ideas, and big changes. The moment we champion diversity in tech is the moment we take leaps in tech innovation. Research even shows the added creativity from diverse teams can help members feel more united.?

How to Empower Diverse Voices, International Technologists, & Women of Color in Tech

But how do we make sure everyone's voice is heard, understood, and valued despite our differences? It starts with some key ingredients:

1. Cultural Competency

We must seek to understand and respect each other's cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. It's like learning a new language — the more you understand, the better you can connect with others.

2. Empathy

When we judge others, we assume they see things from our perspective. Empowering Black women in technology, women of color in tech, and overall diversity in tech requires each of us to look beyond our own assumptions and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.

3. Valuing & Amplifying

We need to shine a spotlight on the incredible Black women in technology, women of color in tech, and diverse techies making waves in tech all around the world! Share their stories. Invite them to take the stage.?

4. Active Listening

It’s one thing to make diverse voices in tech heard. It’s another thing to actually listen. Really tune in to what others have to say. Make sure you understand their intended message, not just the message you choose to hear based on your own understanding.

Inspiring Stories of Women of Color in Tech Around the Globe

The stories of diverse women and women of color in tech around the world are endless — and we need to talk about them more. Here are just a few of the women making waves in the industry today:

• Aicha Evans: Growing up in Senegal and Paris, Aicha Evans is the CEO of Amazon’s self-driving car company, Zoox.
• Dr. Ruha Benjamin: Born in Wai, India, Dr. Benjamin is an author, advocate, and expert on the intersectionality of race and technology.?
• Dr. Teresa Vasquez: A software engineer and professor, Dr. T is the Founder of Repped in Tech — a community and platform empowering the next generation of diverse tech professionals.?

?? Take Action

Let's keep the momentum going because YOUR story deserves to be told! Create a social media graphic using Canva to tell your story and highlight your achievements. Even if you're still in school or looking for the right role, put the title that you want and speak it into existence because you are capable of achieving your goals!

Repped in Tech created examples to shine a spotlight on the women we highlighted earlier. Here's how we did it:

• Step 1: Choose a template in Canva that fits the dimensions of your preferred social media platform (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn).
• Step 2: Select eye-catching colors and fonts that align with the tone of your message and the theme of the tribute. This is about you so choose your favorite colors and themes.
• Step 3: Incorporate images or illustrations that spotlight your current or future impact on the tech industry. Choose graphics that will help you to express your personality and style.
• Step 4: Create a caption that highlights your achievements. Here is an example: I am currently in a bootcamp but my dream role would be a full stack developer and I know I have the skills to make it happen! #DoItScared #WomenInSTEM" #BlackWomeninTech
• Step 5: Post the content you created, and be sure to tag @ReppedinTech and use the hashtags #getreppedintech and #reppedintech so we can reshare it on our platforms!

• Join our community: https://reppedin.tech/community
• Ready to become a tech creator and share your magic with the tech world? Apply to be on ReppedFLIX!
• Support the work and join us on any of our social media platforms: Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

??? I’m Dr. Teresa Vasquez, but you can call me Dr. T!

With over 20 years of professional experience at all levels in tech, I’m a Tech Leader and Educator who’s been through it all.

Yep, I’ve been there, done alla dat, and I don’t sugarcoat the experiences I’ve had.

As the founder of Repped In Tech?, I’m all about helping diverse creators amplify their voices in the tech world through our three pillars:

???? REPresentation and REPutation

???? INfluence

???? TECHnological skills

Join me on this journey of self-discovery and growth and #GetReppedInTech

#ReppedInTech

#BlackInTech

#diversityintech