blackcomputeHER Conference Fellows Program 2019
**This blog post was revised on June 17th, 2019 to correct inaccuracies related to the nature of the event as well the role of collaborators.
On April 4-6, 2019 over 200 participants gathered in Washington D.C. for the Third Annual blackcomputeHER (pronounced 'black computer') Conference. Founded in 2016 by a trio of innovative black computer scientists, the conference creates a space for community to “celebrate the present, past, and future of black women in computing & technology.” Understanding of the need for inclusion and intersectionality in computer science, Drs. Jamika Burge, Quincy Brown, and Jakita Thomas pooled their talents to bring “women interested in changing the narrative around what it means to be a computing scientist” and created an opportunity “to amplify the presence, opportunities, and voices for black women in computing, and tech” (What We Do, 2019).
The conference is part of the blackcomputeHER organization, itself the brain child of Dr. Jamika Burge, who holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Dr. Quincy Brown, who holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Drexel University, and Dr. Jakita Thomas, who holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
In collaboration with Dr. Burge (Director of blackcomputeHER Fellows Program), CGEST hosted the Fellows Track conference on Saturday morning at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center (Correction: we apologize to Dr. Jamika Burge as a previous blog post did not accurately portray her current titles. We also apologize that an earlier version of this blog incorrectly suggested the Fellows Track was the main event at the conference). The Fellows track is an important cohort focused initiative of the Fellows Program, which has been in operation since 2017. The Fellows track is a cohort-based, leadership development program designed to cultivate black women leaders in computing and tech. According to the blackcomputeHER website, the program offers 12 months of intensive development that begins at the yearly blackcomputeHER conference. Additionally, Fellows receive a travel scholarship for program-related travel (including attending the conference), participate in professional workshops led by senior tech professionals and executives, and work with their cohort colleagues to design a project that supports the broader blackcomputeHER community. Cohort members have the opportunity to network and form dynamic, long-term connections with an intimate cohort of professionals. To date, there have been two cohorts with approximately 15 participants in each. This year, the Fellows track celebrated the contributions of last year’s cohort of fellows and welcomed the new cohort for the year.
The Fellows track part of the conference allowed past and incoming Fellows to experience a safe space in which they could share their personal and professional journeys through their careers and shed valuable insight which would inspire future Fellows (Correction: An earlier version of the blog incorrectly suggested CGEST was part of hosting the Fellows program. CGEST was involved in hosting the Fellows track, which was one portion of the conference and an important part of the Fellows program. We value the fact that we were able to collaborate on this part of the conference and did not mean to suggests that the conference, itself, was the result of a collaboration. We regret the error and apologize for any confusion the previous post may have caused.). It was also an opportunity for the women to share their reasons for joining the Fellows collaborative and their visions for the future. With the invaluable leadership of Dr. Allison Scott, who holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley and currently serves as Chief Research Officer for the Kapor Center – dedicated to building capacity in STEM through education programs and community building - we asked some of the graduating and incoming Fellows a series of questions about their experience in the Fellows program.
Q: Why are the Fellows interested in participating in the blackcomputeHER Fellows program?
A: "This is a space where I am unapologetically myself... in an industry which isn't always so welcoming, or accepting of our stories and narratives... this feels like home and I am happy to be here" – Fellow, Pamela Gibbs
Q: Why do you think it's important for black women to connect and build community in computing?
A: "It gives us a place where we can speak candidly... a lot of us have been the only one in our spaces... I come to blackcomputeHER and you find 10, 20, 30 women going through the same thing... that makes this process much easier knowing I'm not the only one" – Fellow, Jamie Berger
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your career?
A: "Working in a tech consulting firm I am looking to make a difference in any aspect I find myself... and being known as the go-to-girl for that skill" – Fellow, Maria Williams
These Fellows, and many more, gave powerful testimonies about the need for community, support, and mentors for women of color in tech. Their inspiring messages demonstrated a strong desire to engage with the purpose of the interview questions and help carry this program into the future. Following the interviews, I was able to witness several group activities and events. The experience highlighted both the power of the skills, creativity, and leadership of women of color in tech as well as the ongoing importance and need for collaboration among equity-driven programs, organizations, and initiatives. As inequities continue to persist in tech, programs like blackcomputeHer are timely and important – not just to the local communities they serve but to places like CGEST.
The Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) is dedicated to establishing and engaging best practices for girls/women of color in STEM through advocacy, building capacity, and knowledge about the talent and opportunities. With blackcomputeHer’s focus on uniting practitioners with sophisticated technical knowledge and the goal of engaging and moving the tech conversation forward by sharing “invaluable resources for professional development, and research expertise in support of true tech inclusion,” a collaboration between the blackcomputeHer organization and CGEST felt like a natural fit. Using the interviews and additional action conference footage, we are collaborating on the creation of a documentary which will tell the story from the program participants and leader’s perspective. Though the release date for this video has not been set, we’re excited to join these organizations in their work. For more information about this revised blog or CGEST,– please contact Oliver Dean for more details.
Written By:
Communications & Media Relations Program Coordinator
Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology
Arizona State University
