Thanks for showing up,for engaging and for bringing your voice to a conversation that matters. I’ve been hosting the #yeswecode diversity in tech twitter chat since July of this year, and this is the first time we’re talking about women in tech, specifically.
I’ve wanted to have a chat topic specifically about women, diversity and technology. It’s super important to me, and the past two weeks since the last chat have made it clear that now is the time to do it. Lately, I’ve received tweets from women in tech who have similar questions. They’re asking this: What does it mean to “make it” as a woman in tech? Do any women actually “make it?” Are women part of the tech diversity conversation?
My answer is yes, we definitely are – and need to be – because without us, there’s no voice for the millions of female users around the world who rely on us to influence the tech products they consume.
These questions make me feel like there’s a responsibility (and opportunity) to have the hard conversations, and to do so now.
We know the statistics. The numbers are ugly for everything from funding to sexual harassment. I know we know this. What I don’t know is this:
- What are you passionate about and why are you part of technology?
- How did you get into technology? How can we talk about women, tech and diversity in a way that does not feel alienating?
- How can we be resources for each other? What are you most concerned about when it comes to diversity, women, and technology?
- How can we all engage this very special global moment in technology, where we’re all asking ourselves: What does it mean to have diversity in technology?
- What do women do when faced with self-doubt in tech, and how can we overcome this?
- How can men in technology be part of the conversation, in a way that’s beneficial to everyone?
I want to be clear and say that this is not a conversation about excluding anyone. We are talking about women, but I do believe that everyone needs to be part of the conversation to actually enact powerful and lasting dialogue. There are those spaces just for that, and I totally respect the need for that community.
That’s what I want to talk to you about. I don’t have answers. But, I do know that I want to look back in 5, 10, 20 years and be really proud of myself and all of us now who are having the difficult conversations.
Before participating in the chat (and to find out more about it), please read the guidelines and ground-rules. We are always focused on solutions, and ways to move forward. Come to the chat with ideas, engagement and respect. Be brave, be visible, be you and be kind. Seriously.
I want to hear from you! Over the next few days, I’ll be using this space (the comments section below) to understand how I can best engage about this topic during Sunday’s chat. If you don’t want to message me here, feel free to follow me on Twitter and DM me @uchechi_writes.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who: Anyone interested in discussing diversity, women and technology
What: #yeswecode Twitter chat: Diversity, women & tech
When: Sunday 10/26/14 at 8pmCT
Where: connect with me on Twitter @uchechi_writes
Why?: It’s important! Diversity in tech mean more innovation and better teams.
See you there!