Exploring Black Women in Technology

Historically, the tech sector has been a largely male-dominated industry. However, the disproportionate representation of Black women in tech is becoming increasingly apparent. In the United States, compared to Black men, Black women earn the majority of undergraduate and advanced degrees. Although the growth in STEM degrees over the last ten years has far surpassed the growth in overall degrees awarded, Black women remain underrepresented in computer science and engineering degrees.

Empowering Black women in technology by highlighting the challenges and triumphs they face in this field goes beyond achieving diversity for diversity’s sake, but seeks to emphasize the value of the unique perspectives and innovations of Black women in tech.

While underrepresentation perpetuates the lack of Black women in tech, this is not the only challenge women of color experience within the industry.

 

The Current Landscape of the Tech Industry

The 2010s was a decade of change in the tech industry. Several innovative technological advancements have accelerated the growth of social media, AI, e-commerce, and biotechnology. Positive growth is expected throughout the 2020s as the foundations of the past are improved and new technological trends emerge. However, despite this upward trajectory, the industry still suffers from the underrepresentation of Black women.

According to Pew Research, Black and Hispanic workers are highly underrepresented in the STEM industry. They make up only 8% of workers, while their White and Asian counterparts are overrepresented. These discrepancies are also apparent in their earnings, as the highest-paid STEM workers are Asian men while the lowest-paid employees are Black and Hispanic women.

Despite the efforts of several companies to adopt the DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) framework, according to the TrustRadius 2021 Women in Tech Report, 78% of women in tech feel pressured to work harder than their male counterparts to prove their worth in the industry, often leading to burnout and lower retention rates.

While underrepresentation perpetuates the lack of Black women in tech, this is not the only challenge women of color experience within the industry.

 

Challenges Faced by Black Women in Tech

Black women have faced significant barriers to accessing education and career opportunities in tech as a result of several centuries of racial and gender discrimination. Within our current landscape, there are still many issues faced by women of color in the industry, including:

1. Double discrimination

The racial and gender discrimination in the tech industry has led to Black women being underrepresented, underpaid, and overlooked. According to the 2022 Discrimination in Tech report, 54% of Black people in tech have experienced racial discrimination in their workplace, and 48% of women have faced gender discrimination.

2. Lack of access to mentorship and networking opportunities

As members of an underrepresented group, Black women struggle to build a solid network of other Black women in their field, especially during the early stages of their careers. Breaking into the tech industry isn’t easy, and considering employers are more likely to hire candidates with references within the field, Black women are disproportionately disadvantaged. Pew Research revealed that only 38% of women who majored in computer science and 24% who majored in engineering have careers in their field.

3. Imposter syndrome and stereotype threat

Social biases, discrimination, and lack of inclusion and representation have significantly impacted the confidence of women interested in tech. With the pervasive “bro culture” of STEM and tech companies, many women hesitate to pursue this line of work. A 2023 Tech Returners survey of 250 women found that 100% of the women identified imposter syndrome as a barrier to pursuing a career in tech.

4. Workplace microaggressions and systemic barriers

The 2023 Women in the Workplace Report has revealed that micro-aggression has a major, lasting impact on women. Black women are twice as likely to code-switch by changing their tone, mannerisms, and language while interacting with people at work. They’re also less likely to express their opinion to avoid being labeled as aggressive or difficult.

Despite the many challenges Black women face in the IT industry, they have remained at the forefront of devising solutions to push for change within tech companies and create avenues for women of color to excel.

 

Celebrating Black Women in Tech

Despite being an underrepresented group in the tech industry, numerous Black women are industry trailblazers. As engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in innovation, these women are breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of Black women. Their challenges and achievements highlight the importance of diversity and representation within the industry. Therefore, we want to spotlight the incredible achievements of three Black women in tech:

Kimberly Bryant – Founder of Black Girls CODE

From a young age, Kimberly Bryant had a passion for mathematics and science, but she always knew she wanted to be her own boss one day. Bryant dedicated 25+ years to working in the electrical engineering, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, where she witnessed the discrimination and disparity in the inclusion of women of color in these fields.

In 2011, she founded Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit organization that educated young girls of color (ages 7-17) on technology and computer science with a concentration on entrepreneurship. Though this organization began in the United States, it currently operates in seven countries and reaches thousands of students worldwide. Bryant aims to change the global landscape of the tech industry by providing education and access to the next generation of women of color.

Aisha Bowe – Founder & CEO of STEMBoard

Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist, serial tech entrepreneur, tech startup mentor, and soon-to-be commercial astronaut, is the embodiment of a successful Black woman. After working with NASA for several years, in 2013, Bowe founded STEMBoard, a tech powerhouse that specializes in providing professional advisory services for governmental organizations in the U.S.

In 2022, she raised nearly $2 million to fund LINGO, a self-paced, at-home coding kit that teaches coding and other technical concepts through simple step-by-step instructions. This kit is used by thousands of students in ten different countries.

While working in the engineering industry, Bowe recognized the lack of representation of Black women in her field and the need to fill the gap. Aisha’s goal is to challenge the societal view of women in tech and serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Laura Weidman Powers – Co-founder of Code2040 & Operating Partner Base10

Laura Weidman Powers is a social sector leader and a voice for change in the tech industry. As the Operating Partner at Base10, she heads portfolio services and operations for the Advancement Initiative, where 50% of profits go toward America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to diversify tech.

Before her role at Base10, Powers co-founded a nonprofit organization called Code2040. Founded in 2012, Code2040 seeks to eliminate structural racism and power imbalance that Black and Latinx people face in tech. This organization is one of the largest communities of Black and Latinx technologists, engineers, and innovators within the industry. It equips members with the tools, connections, and support they need to advocate for themselves and others.

Power’s goal is to inspire positive change in the tech industry and openly advocate for equity, inclusion, and social entrepreneurship.

Kimberly Bryant, Aisha Bowe, and Laura Weidman Powers are only three of the many Black women fighting the uphill battle to pave the way for other women in the tech industry. While these individual efforts are important, systematic and societal change is a prerequisite for equity in this sector.

 

Overcoming Barriers and Creating Opportunities

The intersectional identities of Black women in tech shape their unique journeys. Inclusive policies and practices are necessary to address the nuanced challenges these women face. Organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting Black women in tech play an essential role in making lasting change. Some popular organizations that have increased the visibility of Black women in tech include:

• Black Girls CODE
• Black Tech Pipeline
• Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN)
• Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)
• Black Code Collective
• Black Women Talk Tech
• Coding Black Females

STEM education and mentorship in underrepresented communities, dismantling the biases in hiring and promotion processes, and promoting support networks among women of color are a few crucial steps toward a more equitable industry. Therefore these efforts must be implemented at the individual, organizational, and policy levels to enjoy the impact of inclusivity.

The Impact of Inclusivity

The technological landscape is a diverse field that impacts everyone regardless of race or gender identity. Why, then, don’t the innovators of this field also come from diverse backgrounds?

Innovation is at the heart of every new technological advancement. Therefore, the potential impact of increasing the representation of Black women in tech is immense. Diverse teams with different backgrounds, and cultures diversify the thought processes. In the workplace this is necessary to spark creativity and foster innovative solutions. Through inclusivity, companies can better understand consumer demographics and potentially reach new customers. Additionally, this also promotes inclusivity not only within their organization but also through their products.

Conclusion: The Scope Of Black Women In Tech

Empowering Black women in technology requires breaking barriers and building bridges to opportunity, innovation, and a more inclusive future. The value and potential of Black women in technology is undeniable. Therefore we must foster an environment where Black womens’ talents and contributions are fully recognized to transform the tech industry.