Building a Future for Black Women and Girls: A Call to Action

 

I recently received a thoughtful message from a reader who shared an insightful article with me: “Gender and Racial Biasin Hiring in Tech”.

As someone who has worked in the tech industry and witnessed the inner workings of hiring practices, team dynamics, and development processes, I can say that much of what the article highlights rings true. Ever notice, when seeking out tech opportunities, how often company “About the Team” pages feature one—or sometimes no—BIPOC individuals? My personal experience mirrors this. In the company where I worked for nearly five years, I was the only Black woman on staff.

This experience taught me a valuable, albeit disheartening, lesson: these companies are part of the same systemic machine as other industries. The hierarchy and power dynamics remain largely unchanged, and the tech industry is no more a “safe haven” for Black women and girls than any other field. In fact, I’ve come to realize that no industry can truly offer us safety unless we create it ourselves.

This is not to say that every Black woman must start her own business, but rather that aligning with and supporting one another is vital. By partnering with other Black women and girls, we can build a future grounded in our collective strength and ingenuity. Considering that we are often the blueprint for broader societal trends and innovations, it only makes sense to lean into this truth.

What if we could not only survive but thrive by working together to create the future we envision? The statistics around hiring and workplace opportunities for Black women and girls are disheartening. Even those who secure positions in these industries often find themselves unfulfilled, working solely for a paycheck without genuine satisfaction or support.

Recently, I made the decision to step away from traditional workplaces as we know them. It wasn’t an easy choice—it's both daunting and challenging—but I know that the vision I am bringing to life through my company is far greater than anything I could achieve within the confines of a corporate job. My mission is to innovate for the future of Black women and girls, inspiring new ideas and creating opportunities that change the trajectory of our lives for the better.

My goal is to help us position ourselves in society in a way that normalizes mutual support, collaboration, and empowerment. It’s about moving beyond survival and struggle into a space of thriving and flourishing. While this vision may sound ambitious, I believe it is entirely possible. If you were to ask me whether this is a cause I’m willing to fight for, my answer would be an unequivocal, “Yes.”

For far too long, the gifts and talents of Black women and girls have been suppressed, marginalized, and undervalued. We’ve been forced to conform to societal norms and endure systemic pressures just to survive. But I say, no more. Seeing how fragile and unsustainable the current system is—especially in the workplace—only strengthens my resolve to find solutions that prioritize Black women and girls first, then extend to humanity as a whole.

Why? Because everything begins with us. We are the blueprint. This means we have the power to change the foundation and plans for the future.

Reflecting on the workplace dynamic, it’s clear that most of us were never set up to win. With white men at the top, white women reinforcing the system, and Black women and girls left struggling in between, it’s a deeply exploitative game. How did we allow ourselves to get caught in this lopsided structure? And worse, how have we become desensitized to this reality?

Now, as DEI initiatives are being dismantled, I can’t help but see this as a wake-up call. What if this moment signals an opportunity? What if this is our chance to focus on building a community mindset, prioritizing Black women and girls? With society on the brink of decline, do we really want to repeat history—or will we seize this moment to create a strong foundation for the future?

The answer lies with us. Together, we can build a world where Black women and girls don’t just survive but thrive. This is our moment to pave the way for a brighter future. Let’s make it count.