Black Women Talk Tech’s Post

Powerful & Timely - truly motivating

🎤 Listen as Dr. Fallon Wilson and our CEO and President, Brenda Darden Wilkerson, discuss the power of resilience and the impact of Black women in tech. Their conversation is not just inspiring; it's a call to recognize and support the crucial contributions of Black women in shaping our digital world. #blackwomenintech #bthewayforward #techinnovation #diversitymatters #womenintech

🌟 Elevating Black Women’s Voices: A Candid Conversation 🌟 Today RTX BXN and RTX WISE partnered to recognize the unique challenges faced by black women in corporate spaces. Our experiences are shaped by the intersectionality of race and gender, and today’s conversation created a safe space for us to connect. Navigating these intersecting identities often means confronting adversity at every turn. From battling stereotypes and biases to overcoming systemic barriers, the path to success can feel like an uphill battle. But it’s precisely through these challenges as we learned today that we find our greatest opportunities for growth. Thank you Muffy Mendoza for your words and illustrations related to the topic of post traumatic growth. As black women, we possess a resilience forged in the fires of adversity. We’ve learned to turn setbacks into stepping stones, to harness our unique perspectives as sources of strength. Each obstacle we overcome is a testament to our unwavering determination and unwavering spirit. But our journey is not one we must travel alone. By coming together, by amplifying each other’s voices and advocating for change, we pave the way for a more inclusive future. Let’s celebrate our achievements, support one another through the struggles, and continue to shatter glass ceilings together. LaWanda Scott Keyosha Lee Pam Erickson Together, we rise. 💪🏾✨ #BlackHistoryMonth #RTXWISE #RTXBXN #BlackWomen #Intersectionality #StrengthThroughAdversity #InclusiveLeadership #NextUpWomensHistoryMonth

Been asked to go on the @BBCBreakfast this morning to talk about the black experience with #technology companies... Did you know there still are no emjois relating to female black hairstyles! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… I am amazed. But then as only 0.28% of VC tech funding goes to black women. So with almost 4000 emjois perhaps just 4 relating to this shouldn't be a problem... But... Is it as simple as #mobile technology employees being so prodominately white and male means they just don't 'see' black women. Yet in the USA black people are 14% of the population. So black women are around 7%. Not a small minority... Do they never meet black women? And who gets to decide the world's emjois... Actually its a seires of the worlds biggest tech companies and a non for profit based in San Francisco... However, with 92% of the world using them and them being perhaps the most understood communication method on the planet... Perhaps this is more important than you orginally think. A bit like the modern equivalent of not having a word in the dictionary for "dreadlocks" but even worse...

Let's chat about a hot topic in the industry right now. The recent allegations against Cetaphil, accused of [allegedly] replicating a TikTok concept by a Black creator (@sharavinaaa) and her stepfather for their Super Bowl ad, spotlight a recurring narrative of invisibility and exploitation of black women in our industry. This incident isn't isolated; it reflects an ongoing issue of disregard and misappropriation in our industry. When content is stolen from a marginalized group, the implications are far-reaching and deeply harmful. Here are just a few ways it hurts them: 👉🏾 Loss of Income: Creators often rely on their unique content for income. When their work is taken, they lose potential earnings. 👉🏾 Erasure of Credit: Without proper acknowledgment, creators miss out on recognition that can lead to future opportunities. 👉🏾 Cultural Disrespect: Using someone's cultural expressions without understanding or respecting their background adds to the cycle of cultural appropriation. 👉🏾 Stifled Voices: Marginalized creators may feel discouraged from sharing their work, fearing it will be taken again. 👉🏾 Damaged Trust: The trust between the creative community and the industry gets broken, making collaboration harder. 👉🏾 Unfair Advantage: Those who take the content unfairly benefit from the creativity and insights of marginalized groups without doing the work. This only creates a ripple effect of black women getting pushed out of an industry that uses us as a blueprint. To address this, we must come together as a community to ensure that all creators are respected and fairly compensated for their work. At Black Women Marketers, we believe black women deserve recognition for their innovation. We are intentional in how we curate a safe space for Black women in marketing, where we champion the protection of intellectual property and advocate for rightful acknowledgment. It's about more than just giving credit; it's about fostering a culture of respect, supporting equitable practices, and amplifying diverse voices within our industry. By doing so, we can help put an end to the cycle and build a more just and inclusive marketing space. What are your thoughts? SOURCE: https://lnkd.in/gqh9TPis #BlackCreativesMatter

Aht Aht Aht! Before you close your laptop today, I’m reaching out with a quick nudge to remind you that voting for my SXSW talks is still open— but not for long! 🕒 Why Your Vote Matters: Your support could bring critical discussions on accessibility, intersectionality, and tech to the forefront at SXSW. These conversations aren’t just timely—they’re necessary. Here’s a quick recap of my sessions: Empathy in Leadership: How to lead with heart in a high-tech world 🌍 AI, Equity, & Inclusion: A panel with Shanize Byrd, Leeza Steward, and myself, exploring who’s being left behind in the digital age 🧠 #BlackTwitter as a Blueprint: Dr. Jazz Walker and I will unpack the power and potential of Black digital communities 💻 Let’s make sure these important voices are heard. 🙌 📅 Voting ends Sunday, so please cast your vote here: https://lnkd.in/gGb2j42p Thank you for your support! Let’s amplify these crucial conversations together. #SXSW2025 #Leadership #Inclusion #Intersectionality #TechForGood #Accessibility #Empathy #VoteNow #CommunityBuilding

Unleash Your Inner Oprah- Speaking Your Way to Millions Pt 1 Black queens, it's time to unleash your voice and speak your way to millions. Imagine the power of Oprah's influence, but with your unique story and perspective. That's the game-changer we're talking about. Your journey as a Black woman entrepreneur is filled with experiences that can inspire, motivate, and transform lives. It's time to share them unapologetically. Remember, your voice isn't just powerful - it's necessary. Here's the truth - authentic storytelling is your superpower. When you speak from the heart, sharing your trials and triumphs, you're not just building a brand. You're creating a movement. Think about it. Every time Oprah opens up about her journey, millions lean in. That's the impact of vulnerability. It's not about being perfect; it's about being real. And real is what changes lives and builds empires. Your words have the power to shatter glass ceilings and open doors. When you step onto that stage or in front of that camera, you're not just representing yourself. You're representing every Black girl who's ever been told to be quiet. So, let's make some noise. Let's turn your experiences into inspiration, your challenges into opportunities, and your voice into a million-dollar brand. Sisters, it's time to speak up and show up. The world is waiting for your story, your wisdom, your truth. Are you ready to unleash your inner Oprah and create a legacy that will echo for generations? If you're ready to amplify your voice and skyrocket your success, I'm here to guide you. It's not just about speaking; it's about speaking with power, purpose, and prosperity. The time for silence is over. Your moment to shine is now. Want to learn how to command any room and captivate any audience? Comment 'Black Women Speak' below to secure your spot at our exclusive Sis In The 7-Figure Shift Speaker Event. It's time to let your voice be your most valuable asset! #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #SpeakYourTruth #MillionDollarVoice #BlackExcellence

Unleash Your Inner Oprah- Speaking Your Way to Millions Pt 1 Black queens, it's time to unleash your voice and speak your way to millions. Imagine the power of Oprah's influence, but with your unique story and perspective. That's the game-changer we're talking about. Your journey as a Black woman entrepreneur is filled with experiences that can inspire, motivate, and transform lives. It's time to share them unapologetically. Remember, your voice isn't just powerful - it's necessary. Here's the truth - authentic storytelling is your superpower. When you speak from the heart, sharing your trials and triumphs, you're not just building a brand. You're creating a movement. Think about it. Every time Oprah opens up about her journey, millions lean in. That's the impact of vulnerability. It's not about being perfect; it's about being real. And real is what changes lives and builds empires. Your words have the power to shatter glass ceilings and open doors. When you step onto that stage or in front of that camera, you're not just representing yourself. You're representing every Black girl who's ever been told to be quiet. So, let's make some noise. Let's turn your experiences into inspiration, your challenges into opportunities, and your voice into a million-dollar brand. Sisters, it's time to speak up and show up. The world is waiting for your story, your wisdom, your truth. Are you ready to unleash your inner Oprah and create a legacy that will echo for generations? If you're ready to amplify your voice and skyrocket your success, I'm here to guide you. It's not just about speaking; it's about speaking with power, purpose, and prosperity. The time for silence is over. Your moment to shine is now. Want to learn how to command any room and captivate any audience? Comment 'Black Women Speak' below to secure your spot at our exclusive Sis In The 7-Figure Shift Speaker Event. It's time to let your voice be your most valuable asset! #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #SpeakYourTruth #MillionDollarVoice #BlackExcellence

🦁 FIG Friday 🦁 In 2022, I attended the ONE Million Black Women event at the Bellagio in my hometown of Las Vegas. It was a beautiful scene: Hundreds of Black women dressed to the nines, all for what appeared to be a good cause: getting ONE Million Black women to $1M in revenue. Seems noble, right? Sure. As I prowed between conversations, I landed on one that my disruptive nature couldn't help but contribute to. The speaker shared how the program curriculum was designed to help solopreneur Black women scale and grow their businesses so that they can have employees and drive greater economic impact in their respective communities. Cool. The gist of my question to the proud speaker was, "How are you preparing women for the responses they're bound to receive, stating they're only winning or receiving XXYYZZ because they're Black?" Blank stare. I rephrased. "I'm a Black woman, and I won't accept losing a business opportunity to someone else based on skin color. Especially if I know I'm more qualified and have a better offer or solution. Why should non-Black women be ok with this?" Stunned face. You see, I was out of character. As a Black woman, I'm supposed to roll with whatever the "greater" narrative is--well, that simply doesn't work for me. Another reason I am LOUDLY and PROUDLY anti-woke. I will support initiatives recognizing disparity and implement systems and processes to correct it. I will not support divisiveness under the guise of inclusion. And I certainly cannot stand by someone who is setting me up to fail or virtue signaling. And as a businesswoman, I will NEVER support anything that causes me to lose so someone else can win because of my race or gender. We shouldn't expect this from anyone. This was more than two years ago, and look at how rapidly the conversation changed. Disinvestment in DEI is on the rise, so is the resentment and people are scared to call out things they know are right. Truth is, we can do better, which is another reason why I am anti-woke, but pro-inclusion. What are your thoughts? Happy Friday.

Great to see the response to my post yesterday, so here goes... I have led Black Ballad to work with some incredible and global brands that include Google, Just Eat, Garnier and more to produce some incredible campaigns and experiences for black women. Believe it or not, we have NEVER worked with a bank for a partnership. Yet, when we asked black women for their biggest priority in 2024, the most common response was improving their finances. From investing and buying property, nailing financial basics, money management was the NUMBER 1 focus for our audience in 2024 and it is looking to be the number one priority for our audience in 2025. So I would love to know the brands (especially banks and money apps) want to reach, engage and understand black women in 2025 and would see the value in working with Black Ballad to execute this. In 2025, we will have a focus on: Money Careers Health Beauty Motherhood/Parenting Tag or DM the brands, brand managers who SHOULD be working with Black Ballad and I. Cheers!