Ep 46 - The Importance of Black Women In Tech

Today's conversation is a panel discussion with local Miami tech facilitators and professionals on the rise and importance of Black Women in the tech space. Our co-host, Tami, sits down with Watsco Ventures tech engineer, Shablé Harris; Nirva Bousiquot, founder of Silks Roads product distribution company; and Jessyka Castillo, co-lead of Black Women Talk Tech Miami chapter with Nirva. Traditionally, technology has been a male dominated space yet throughout history, we have come to learn about Black women who have led powerful tech careers such as Valerie Thomas and Dr. Patricia Bath. According to the National Center For Women & Information Technology study, women of color made up only about 11% of the computing and mathematical workforce in 2019, with Black women only comprising 3% of the total. These numbers are changing for the better, yet slowly. There is a risk of missing out on voices and talent that can move the industry forward. And if we want to truly shift the tech landscape, representation is imperative. 

Here are the topics addressed and timestamps: 1:30 Intro & Backgrounds; 8:13 Importance of Visibility in Tech; 12:03 Silk Roads Co; 24:37 Black Women Talk Tech; 26:32 Current Gaps in Miami's Tech Space; 31:11 Importance of Exposing Youth to STEM; 36:04 Ways Tech Companies Can Be More Inclusive; 52:36 Tech Opportunities Within Black Communities; 1:04:34 Ways To Create Space for Black Professionals in Miami's Tech Space

Remember to follow us @thebigideabox @thelabmiami #TheBigIdeaBox on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Connect with our guests @blackwomentalktech @simplynirva @shableharris @jessykaapproved 

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Show Notes: Valerie Thomas - Patricia Bath - Jessyka Castillo - Black Women Talk Tech - Nirva Bousiquot - Silk Roads - Florida Memorial University - Catalyst Miami - Shablé Harris - Watsco Ventures - Montessori approach - Mark Zuckerberg - Steve Jobs - Florida International University - Kimora Lee Simmons - Procter & Gamble - Johnson & Wales - Dot Com Crash - Michelle Obama - Regina - Lauren - Roadmap to Billions Conference - To Be A Dream Project - New Face of A Founder - Uber - Regina's App - Fundr - Amazon - Miami Angels