Why This List?
Every year,magazine editors, website publishers, and top brands publish “Best of [fill in the Blank] in Tech” lists and often times Black Women are noticeably absent. Also, it is an undeniable fact that conference and seminar panels in the Tech field are dearth of representation of Black Women. Often times when organizers are asked for the reason for the lack of diversity, they respond that they could not find any Black women to invite or were not aware that there were any Black Women working in the field or with relevant expertise. Putting out a Call for Papers is not enough. Proactive outreach would solve the visual appearance of the apathy of making little to no concerted effort to be more inclusive. Beginning in 2016, this list was published as a resource.
Why Twitter?
Unlike other social media platforms that may be a little more involved to navigate, Twitter feeds provide instant and quick resources and shared knowledge. Twitter is a great go-to source because it is up-to-the-minute and active folks on that platform constantly share news, information, articles and events. Therefore, it is also a great starting point for anyone who is putting together a conference, compiling a tech list or looking for a consultant or to diversify a team. The women on this list routinely, and some on a multiple-times a day basis, share insights, information, news, photos, resources, programs, and other initiatives that are about/or target diverse communities. Their tweets also provide insight into the very active and productive tech inclusion world. There can no longer be the excuse that one “didn’t know they exist.”
Methodology
Selectees were chosen because they 1) have a non-private account; 2) share a variety of information, resources, links and events; 3) on an active basis; 4) that are not self-promoting; 5) or automated tweets; 6) update their accounts regularly and often; and 7) tweet about tech, tech inclusion or tech-related content primarily; and 8) are doing pretty awesome things themselves in the field. Further, effort was put in place to ensure that those included were not accounts with the most following or who are already well celebrated but moreso women who are contributing to the collective effort to edify, educate and illuminate the online community of theirs and the contribution of many others.
Meet the Curators
The Women who collaborated to Curate this List
Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt
Founder & Creator
Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt is a former telecom lawyer, and current tech adviser, serial entrepreneur, political columnist and blogger. Currently, she edits several award-winning lifestyle (Bellyitch, JJBraids), tech (TechYaya) and business (Jenebaspeaks) news and information web sites she has founded and is the Founder of Picnoi.com, a stock photography company dedicated to diverse images. She also is managing editor of a digital media publishing company, Ghatt Media Holdings.
Elen Awalom
Co-Curator
Elen Awalom is the founder and director of The Ola Initiative, an organization focused on the advancement of Black, Latina and Indigenous women in STEM. Elen is a diversity and tech inclusion advocate and a software engineer, fully versed in full stack web development. She is also founder of The Lighthouse, a holistic wellness start-up that merged her skills as a visual artist and healer (meditation teacher, wellness coach and certified Reiki master).
Xina Eland
Co-Curator
Xina Eiland is the owner of X+PR, a public relations and new media consultant agency. A seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years of experience, Xina specializes in media relations, outreach and strategy development. In addition to specializing in media and community outreach, multicultural marketing, and event planning, Xina has established herself as a digital media expert, executing cutting-edge strategies to maximize the impact of her clients’ initiatives. She is also one of the original co-founders of Black Female Founders (#BFF), an organization whose mission is to provide awareness, support, resources and a platform for Black female entrepreneurs.