B The Way Forward

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Beena Ammanath, an executive, author, advocate, AnitaB.org board member, and nonprofit founder, who aims to increase awareness on the use, risks, and benefits of artificial intelligence, all while promoting diversity in this niche tech space. Beena is the Executive Director at the Deloitte Global AI Institute, where she helps companies and businesses learn how to leverage AI in the most practical and safe ways possible. Through this conversation, Beena offers listeners insight on how to utilize AI in every aspect of business and in our own personal career paths. As a computer scientist by trade, there was nothing in Beena’s education or curriculum about ethics in the AI space, which led her into forging her own unique path to incorporate them into her career. Beena penned Trustworthy AI, a book that bridges the gap for readers on ethics and AI, and Zero Latency Leadership, which looks at other new emerging technologies that are on the horizon. Through all of this work, she also became an advocate for women and minorities in the AI realm, knowing that in order for AI to be successful, it needs to have diverse voices at the table. Brenda and Beena discuss how more people can become “AI Fluent”, why diversity in technology is crucial, and how to raise your voice to make the best use of these technologies. “Diversity has so many different angles. It's the culture, the experience, the education, age, the geographic location you come from. There are so many nuances to diversity, and for your AI products to be robust, you have to factor in. Start with the largest demographic, but try to bring in as much diversity to your AI teams as you can, because it's only going to make your product better and make more profit.” For more, check out Been and Delloitte... On LinkedIn - /bammanath | /delloitte On the Web - https://beenammanath.com/ | Deloitte AI Institute - AI Insights --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Girls Who Code CEO, Tarika Barrett. Tarika took over the helm at Girls Who Code in 2021 and has been the driving force behind the nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology careers by inspiring, educating and equipping students with computing skills to take on 21st century opportunities. Since Girls Who Code was launched in 2012, they have reached over 600,000 young people with their educational programming - and Tarika is continuing to expand that reach. A proud daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Tarika’s mother instilled values of equality and positive change in her life. Since then, Tarika’s career has been dedicated to addressing education inequities, in terms of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Brenda and Tarika discuss the importance of diversity in the tech space and why giving equal representation inspires the next generation to see themselves in the tech industry, too. With women comprising only roughly 25 percent of computing roles, and Black and Latinx women just a little over 5 percent of that, Tarika and Girls Who Code are working to change those statistics. “When we see our women, our girls, our people of color seek out tech jobs, they become the creators and the change makers. They can advocate for the kinds of tech that keeps our needs and our safety and our interests top of mind.” For more, check out Tarika and her work... On LinkedIn - /tarikabarrett & /girlswhocode On X - @DrTarikaBarrett & @GirlsWhoCode On Instagram - @GirlsWhoCode --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson speaks with Chelsey Glasson about pregnancy discrimination in the workplace and why your voice matters. Chelsey, author of, “Black Box: A Pregnancy Discrimination Memoir,” gives us an inside look at how companies may perpetuate harassment in the workplace, and offers tools and resources to navigate these scenarios. In this conversation, Chelsey explains the pregnancy discrimination that she faced at a large tech company and shares advice for people who may find themselves in similar situations. Now, Chelsey is on her healing journey and shares how her experience led her to become a writer, advocate and future attorney. Together, Brenda and Chelsey hope that sharing more of these stories will inspire others to speak out against these types of injustices.  “You have to do what's right for you in terms of healing. And it's okay to prioritize that. And for me, the right thing is to transition away from tech. But, because I went through this journey, because I'm a researcher and I love being in the space of innovation, I realize all of these opportunities within the legal system to better support people who have experienced workplace misconduct.” For more, check out Chelsey and her work... On LinkedIn - /chelsey-glasson Watch the Book Trailer for her memoir, Black Box, and find out more at blackboxthebook.com Read Chelsey's most recent Op-Ed on Pregnancy Discrimination at Fast Company. --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Linda Kamau, Founder & Executive Director of AkiraChix, a Kenya-based company dedicated to providing training, mentorship and outreach programs to increase the number of skilled women in technology. As a champion for women in tech, Linda hopes to bring more women to the center of the growing technology ecosystem in African communities and beyond. When women come together to participate in AkiraChix programs like CodeHive and CodeHiveX, they not only learn more STEM skills, but they also create a sisterhood and strong community. Linda tells Brenda that so far, AkiraChix has graduated 485 young women and 80% of them are employed and earning money. They also discuss the development of soft skills, barriers that women continue to face in Africa and why having hands-on experience is so important. Linda challenges more companies to focus on inclusion and invest in the talented pool of women in tech. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired and optimistic by the work Linda is doing across the world. “There's still some parts, even in our country, that don't advocate for girls' education. And so, pushing back on that and being able to show them that when you educate a young woman, our whole society changes. And so being able to do that really, really means that we can get more young women in tech.” For more, check out Linda and AkiraChix on... X - @lkamau | @akirachix Instagram - @lkamau | @akirachix Facebook - /AkiraChix LinkedIn - /linda-kamau-a5288125 | /akirachix --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Mariana Carvalho, a computer scientist, author, career mentor, DEI advocate and so much more. Mariana is a great example of the success that comes from networking and finding community for women in tech – She’s a Grace Hopper Celebration Scholar, a Systers Pass it On Award winner, an AnitaB.org scholarship reviewer and mentor. She’s used her successful experiences to empower other women through sisterhood, self advocacy, and her career mentorship programs. As the Co-Founder of Brazilians in Tech, Mariana tells Brenda about her career journey into technology and how she found her footing in the corporate world. Brenda and Mariana also do a mini career mentor session, where listeners can gain insight on how best to approach the job market, network, interview, and more. Mariana, who was named the Mentor of the Year in 2023 by the WomenTech Network, is also an author and the Editor in Chief of Women in Technology Publication. Together, Brenda and Mariana share how their personal passions drive their careers and offer advice for listeners who might be looking to make an impactful change. “You feel that you are alone, but when you close your laptop, just know that you have your community behind you. They are going to be there for you. You might feel that you are alone, but you are not. You need to remember that every single day.” For more of Mariana and her work check out... LinkedIn - /mari  Instagram: @hellomariworld X - @hellomariworld Threads - @hellomariworld On the Web - hellomariworld.com --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with career coach and DEI professional, Aaron Fung, to talk about balancing your personal passions with your career goals. Aaron’s career coaching business, CoachingAF, helps people find a career path that actually resonates with them. As someone who moved around jobs and industries in the past, Aaron hopes to help others feeling the same way he did – stuck or lost – to find their true passions. Brenda and Aaron open up about the valuable information they’ve both gleaned from trying work in different spaces that didn’t suit their personal goals. Plus, Aaron shares some of his career coaching advice like the powerful questions he asks to get his clients thinking more deeply: “How did you get into your first job?” “What do you really want from work?” Aaron, who once thought he’d be working in financial planning forever, also talks about his latest role at startup company, Crew, where he focuses on coaching operations and business development. Brenda and Aaron also discuss how personal family experience impacts what they do in the workplace. Aaron was previously a diversity and inclusion manager at Pinterest, and he’s passionate about bringing inclusivity into all the new work that he does. “If you can have some perspective to help people who are in a different identity segment, you are establishing your character as recognizing that there are differences in the ways people are perceived. And, we should do better to open the doors wider. So that more underrepresented founders can have that chance to get funded because their idea really could be world changing.” For more, check out Aaron... On LinkedIn - /aaronlfung, /coachingaf and /inclusionaf On Instagram - @goseetheworldfung/ On the Web - coachingaf.com and aaronfung.me ---- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On today’s episode of “B The Way Forward” we’re busting some common menopause myths with Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with Dr. Haver who not only is a board-certified OB/GYN, physician, and entrepreneur but she’s also amassed over 3 million followers on her social media platforms. Dr. Haver uses her voice as a resource for women to better understand both perimenopause and menopause symptoms and solutions for improved health. She’s also founder of the “Pause Life,” a comprehensive approach to menopause education and founder of “The Galveston Diet,” a nutrition program for women in menopause. Brenda and Dr. Haver talk about the shocking misconceptions and cliche symptoms – hot flashes, weight gain – that don’t always complete the big picture for every woman. Their conversation hopes to bring attention to and normalize conversations around women's health. Plus, Dr. Haver opens up about all the wrong information she was once taught and why that inspired her to become a resource for women everywhere. Dr. Haver’s second book, “The New Menopause,” is out now. “I'd go digging, digging, digging in the research and find, oh my gosh, there is a connection here and no one's talking about it. So, I start talking about it just so I can educate others so we stop being gaslit and feel so crazy with no explanation of how we went from healthy to suffering with no answers.” Find more of Dr. Haver and her work... On TikTok - @drmaryclaire On Instagram - @drmaryclaire & @the.galveston.diet On Facebook - /drmaryclaire On YouTube - /@maryclairehavermd8473 On LinkedIn - /the-pause-life --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson and guest Jhillika Kumar discuss her passion to empower the neurodivergent community. Jhillika’s list of accolades started at a young age including the AnitaB.org Student of Vision Award, her inspiring Ted Talk and Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition. Jhillka is the CEO and founder of Mentra, an employment network committed to matching neurodivergent individuals with employers. From a young age, Jhillika was inspired to build an inclusive world and place for her non-speaking, autistic brother to thrive. Now, she’s offering advice and guidance to communities of students and neurodivergent individuals and helping them find opportunities in the workforce. Jhillika’s company has found great success so far with around 44,000 neurodivergent job seekers on their platform today and an investment from OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman. Jhillika and Brenda discuss why it’s important for hiring managers to understand intersectionality and learn how people can have differences ranging from life experiences, cultures, gender identities, and more. Plus, Jhillika offers her advice for other young entrepreneurs looking to make a change in the world.  “Our company serves as Mentors to both job seekers, because we empower them through the journey to find a job, to navigate interviews and all the executive functioning involved in that complicated process, to mentoring the recruiters on how do you communicate with someone who's neurodivergent and thinks differently? How do you evaluate talent? How do you overcome the bias that you might have because someone behaves a certain different way or speaks differently?” For more of Jhillika and her work check out: LinkedIn - /jhillika Instagram - @jhillika X - @Jhillika Facebook - /jhillika --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

This episode of “B The Way Forward,” explores how to take action and overcome bias with world renowned diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, Vernā Myers. Vernā has spent over 25 years in DEI consulting, helping companies find value and focus on more inclusive environments. She tells Brenda about her early career journey – as a Harvard educated lawyer – and why she ultimately founded The Vernā Myers Company for building more inclusive and culturally competent work environments. Vernā also served as Netflix’s first head of inclusion strategy where she was instrumental in leading initiatives that moved DEI to the forefront of the company. In this episode, Brenda and Vernā look back at civil rights leaders and the moments that led towards positive social change, and what lessons we can learn from them today. Plus, Vernā shares more about her podcast, Sundays With Vernā which features powerful conversations about bridging our divided society. This conversation offers insight into why we should all use reflection and compassion to play a role in making our world better.  “DEI is saying we need to create a place where people feel that they are expected, that they are reflected, and that they are respected. Like all of those things that were not happening because we created organizations to really fit around a certain, powerful status group.” Check out more of Verna and her work... On X - @VernaMyers On Instagram - @VernaMyers On LinkedIn - /Verna Myers On Facebook - /VernaMyers.SpeakerPage --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In today’s digital age, there’s been a massive shift in the way we’re teaching and learning in the classroom. On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” Dr. Monica Burns, author of EdTech Essentials, joins host Brenda Darden Wilkerson to unpack the unique ways to use technology in education. Monica is an EdTech consultant and expert who started the online platform, Class Tech Tips. She helps students, teachers, administrators and parents alike learn how they can benefit from and integrate new digital tools in their education journeys. Monica talks with Brenda about what types of tools and features are assisting with student engagement, how to integrate technology in varying educational settings and tips for how to successfully adopt EdTech in the classroom. They also discuss equity in education and how EdTech can help provide a voice to all people in all communities such as through accessibility features within particular tools. Monica hopes that everyone walks away with the knowledge and inspiration to integrate EdTech in their respective educational settings.  “The biggest way to make an impact is to listen and take action on what you're hearing. Not what you wish you heard, or what you sort of heard, but what you're actually hearing from people. What they need, what their pain points are, what they're asking for without saying. What are they telling you?” For more of Dr. Burns and her work check out... Class Tech Tips on the web, X, Pinterest, and Instagram. Sign up for the Class Tech Tips Newsletter Listen to the Easy EdTech Podcast Connect with Dr. Burns on LinkedIn. --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson explores what it means to be more than your job description. Our guest, Liz Fong-Jones is the perfect example of a talented tech employee who engages in workplace activism for employee rights while also excelling in her day job as an engineer. Liz began a lot of her activism while she was a site reliability engineer at Google. As a trans woman, Liz discusses the importance of workplace inclusion and why she fights so hard for marginalized groups in the workplace. Liz offers listeners all sorts of helpful tips from finding success despite an untraditional education – Liz was a college dropout herself – to how to best garner support for your own petitions and activism at work. Liz is now Field CTO at the female-led software company Honeycomb.io.  “The fight is going to take various shapes over the next several years. But I think intersectionality is the most important thing that we can and should be doing. I think that means that we should reach out and build intersectional allyship, that we should think about people who sit at the intersections, who sit at those margins, right? If someone is a transgender person and they are a person of color, especially if they're black, that dramatically increases the likelihood that they are going to become the victim of violence that is transphobic. I think the number one power that we have right now is we need to think about protecting people's privacy.” For more on Liz and her work, check out... Linkedin - /efong Twitter - @honeycombio --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Ruthe Farmer, activist and policymaker, who has trailblazed a path toward increasing diversity, building inclusion, and prioritizing gender equity in technology. In Ruthe’s illustrious career, she has leveraged successful and current infrastructures to promote girls’ and womens’ participation in these fields. Ruthe continues to be a champion in this space - ushering in, and supporting, a new wave of women in technology. Ruthe’s advocacy work led her to found “The Last Mile Education Fund”, a gap-fund organization that invests in individuals already committed to STEM careers, by supporting them when unconventional circumstances challenge them otherwise. Ruthe shares the true battles women face while in higher education today - and spoiler alert, most of the time it isn’t in the classroom! The intimate stories of the lives touched by the Last Mile Education Fund help inform educational institutions, employers, and recruiters, about the daily challenges students are faced with before entering the professional workforce. With the average grant request being $956, it reveals how a little in someone’s world can be so impactful in another’s. Brenda and Ruthe’s conversation offers a broader perspective on how we can encourage young technologists to continue on their successful paths, starting with empathy and understanding. “Just last week we got a donation from a grantee and she said, ‘I'm happy to be now a donor instead of a grantee, please pay it forward on my behalf,’ and it really is a virtuous circle that is not only going to bring up the diversity of computing, but increase economic mobility for underrepresented people, but it's also incubating givers. And putting people into the ecosystem who are just the kind of people who are grateful and they want to pay it forward and pull the others up behind them.” For more about Ruthe and the work of The Last Mile Education Fund, check out... LinkedIn - /RutheF & /lastmilefund Facebook - /LastMileFund --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

This episode of “B The Way Forward” brings the ideas of intersectional inclusivity and visibility to the forefront. Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson speaks with disability rights advocate, Tiffany Yu, about moving disability inclusion forward and why finding community is so important. Did you know that there are an estimated one billion people with disabilities worldwide? This statistic drives Tiffany’s important work, particularly as the CEO and Founder of her company, Diversability. In this episode, you’ll hear some of Tiffany’s own personal experiences, including where her story began at the age of 9 when she became disabled as a result of a car accident that took her father’s life. Now, she’s become a powerful voice and trailblazer for the disability community and is author of her new book, “The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World.” Brenda and Tiffany discuss why inclusion needs to be intentional and how representation in books and movies is a powerful tool for change – they even talk about Barbie! Tiffany’s powerful message will leave our listeners feeling inspired and confident to challenge the norms and make a change.  "One of the things we talk about in the disability community is we don't like being seen as inspiring just because we exist as disabled people. But, if I can inspire you to take action and change the trajectory of your career to fight for disability equity, I’m all about that type of inspiration." For more about Tiffany and her work, check out... Tiffany's Website - tiffanyyu.com Facebook - /imtiffanyyu X: @imtiffanyyu Instagram - @imtiffanyyu TikTok - @imtiffanyyu LinkedIn - /tiffanyayu Threads - @imtiffanyyu Clubhouse - @imtiffanyyu And for more about Diversability, check out... On the web - mydiversability.com Facebook - /diversability Twitter - @diversability Instagram - @diversability TikTok - @diversability LinkedIn - /diversabilitycommmunity --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Jimmy Chen, founder and CEO at Propel, a tech company whose app was created to help low-income individuals and their families manage government benefits. Jimmy’s work empowers vulnerable individuals, particularly those who rely on food stamps, to improve their financial health. Brenda and Jimmy discuss the biases in tech entrepreneurship, particularly around how founders and investors tend to build technology that solves problems from their personal experiences. Without diversity in tech entrepreneurship and funding common problems for minoritized people are often overlooked. We hear Jimmy’s story and how he found a gap in technology and why he felt drawn to help solve meaningful financial problems that serve people using the safety net. Jimmy saw an opportunity: Around 40 million people in the U.S. who receive food stamp benefits on an EBT debit card have to constantly call a 1-800 number to find out their balance. So, his company Propel built the country's first mobile banking app for the EBT card. Jimmy talks to Brenda about what it means to create impact and how he’s been working to really listen to the people his product is serving. Jimmy also opens up about being a male ally in the tech industry and the goals he has for Propel to continue building a product that reflects the demographics of the people they are serving. “I really think of respect as a core foundational design element to how we think about our relationship with people who use our products and what we are trying to do alongside them. I think it's part of the same conversation of, look, we're not building for people, we're building with people in many cases because we respect that they know what's best for themselves.” For more from Jimmy and Propel, check out... X -@jimmychen and @joinproviders Instagram - @providersapp Facebook - /ProvidersApp LinkedIn - /propel-inc, and /jimmychen1 --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with Nate Shalev, whose inspiring social impact work emphasizes the importance of inclusion in the workplace. As both a trans and neurodivergent individual, Nate founded Revel Impact, a consultancy that focuses on creating workplaces where all people can thrive. Nate’s work involves everything from building frameworks for more inclusive environments to recommending workplace policies for businesses and executives. Brenda and Nate discuss the best types of language to use for inclusivity, how to be an ally to your peers and why small changes can have a big impact. Nate, who was named a LinkedIn Top Voice, also explores the importance of storytelling and why they use social platforms like LinkedIn to open up and tell personal stories to a large audience.  “Often when I speak to companies they're talking about, ‘Well, how do we account for everyone? If everyone is so different and everyone has unique experiences, what does that mean?’ And so, I think if you have this framework and you can practice that muscle of being intentional, of being able to create those structures around it, then you'll be able to approach each situation, even though each person is unique. If you already have that framework, that foundation, then you'll be much, much better set up for success.” For more of Nate and their work check out... LinkedIn - /nshalev --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

This episode of “B The Way Forward,” is all about advice as host Brenda Darden Wilkerson explores the many paths and entry points into the tech industry. Our guest, Hosanna Hali aka the Fairy Tech Mother, has been working to demystify the tech space by offering tips and tricks across her social media channels. As a young woman in tech who spent 5 years working at Microsoft, Hosanna leads by example and uses her voice to empower other young people looking to pursue careers in technology. This thoughtful conversation pushes us to think about the career paths we choose and encourages everyone to continue toward the goals they wish to pursue in tech. Brenda and Hosanna discuss the tricky feelings around imposter syndrome and why you belong in the tech space despite what external voices might be telling you. Plus, Hosanna offers unique advice to our listeners like how to stand out from the crowd, why it’s important to understand your individual value and why your degree doesn’t have to define you. She also explains why she founded her very own platform called “The Tech Cornr,” where she posts video and content to help others learn more about careers in tech.  "Yes, the degree that you have will make a real difference in some of the jobs that you apply for, but don't let that stop you. Your career doesn't start and end by your degree, it's just one part of it." For more of Hosanna Hali and her work check out... Instagram - @thetechcornr TikTok - @thetechcornr YouTube - @thetechcornr9187 --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson takes listeners through a unique and mission-driven type of venture capitalism. Our guest Sunita Grote leads UNICEF's Venture Fund which provides seed funding to early-stage ventures in emerging markets. Through her work at UNICEF, Sunita builds a portfolio of emerging technologies that help children around the world. Brenda and Sunita talk about what types of technologies the Venture Fund is investing in from AI and machine learning to blockchain, cryptocurrency and drones. Sunita shows us how these investments drive impact for example: Education solutions that make it easier for children to consume math; A medical records platform that has helped boost child vaccination rates by over 8%; And even blockchain cash and voucher systems that improve the speed and transparency which cash assistance is delivered to families in need. They also talk about the importance of changing power dynamics by being thoughtful about which solutions are selected and investing in technology founded by women. Together, Brenda and Sunita dive into the importance of mission-driven venture funding and what we can look forward to from Sunita and UNICEF in the future.  “How we do things when it comes to technology and innovation, to me, is as important as the ‘what’ we do. It's not really okay to compromise on the ‘how’ for the sake of the next big technology solution. That’s not really going to get us to changing some of those fundamental imbalances that we’re seeing and those injustices that we're seeing.” To find out more about UNICEF's Office of Innovation and their work check out... LinkedIn - /unicef-innovation X - @UNICEFinnovate Instagram - @unicefinnovate --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of B The Way Forward, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with CEO of Black Girls Code, Cristina Jones about her work to solve the lack of representation of Black women in technology. Only 2% of the STEM workforce are Black women, and Cristina is hoping to change that. She tells our listeners how she plans to achieve the mission of Black Girls Code, which is to launch 1 million girls into technology by 2040. Her unique perspective as a former Hollywood executive makes her a powerful new force in the tech space, telling a more inclusive story that encourages black girls to join the tech industry. Brenda and Cristina dive into terminology and tech talk and why language in the industry is so important for young girls to feel empowered and welcome into the space. Cristina’s breadth of advice is endless. You’ll learn why it’s crucial to know and articulate your value proposition and the strengths you have to offer in the workforce.  “The hardest notion to break is a preconceived notion, especially the ones that are made about yourself.” For more of Cristina Jones and her work check out... Instagram - @blackgirlscode LinkedIn - /Black-Girls-Code Facebook - /BlackGirlsCodeOrg X - @BlackGirlsCode TikTok - /@blackgirlscode YouTube - /BlackGirlsCode --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

Our guest on today’s episode of “B The Way Forward” is dreaming of a black tech future that makes digital infrastructure more inclusive for everybody. Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with Vice President of Policy at the Multicultural Media and Telecommunication Internet Council (MMTC) and creator of #BlackTechFutures Research Institute, Dr. Fallon Wilson, about ways to close the digital divide. Together, they address the disparities in Internet access across black communities and why Fallon is fighting for actionable change like getting computers in the hands of all school children and creating better access for people to do remote work at home. You’ll hear some really shocking facts around who has Internet access – and who doesn’t– while Brenda and Fallon talk through some major misconceptions around technology gaps. Plus, we learn why Fallon is sick and tired of the conversation around Artificial Intelligence and why she’s working to humanize an index that measures disparities in cities.  “When we think about data science or data scientists, I always think about Ida B. Wells and her ability to develop a type of data set to talk about lynching and lynching of Black bodies, and what does that look like, and what are the policy implications for it? I think Black people have always, I think with every new type of tool to tell story, or a new type of technology to tell narrative, we have always been at the forefront of crafting our story and trying to show this is injustice.” For more of Dr. Fallon Wilson and her work check out... X - @SistahWilson | @mmtconline | @BlackChurchesDE Instagram - @mmtconline | @blackchurches4digitalequity Facebook - /mmtconline | /blackchurches4digitalequity Linkedin - /fallonwilson | /mmtconline --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of "B The Way Forward," recorded live at Grace Hopper Celebration 2023, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with her friend and colleague, Bo Young Lee, a transformative and inspirational voice in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Bo is currently serving as President of Advisory and Interim Chief Impact Officer at AnitaB.org and previously served as Uber’s first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Brenda and Bo, both dedicated to empowering women and underrepresented voices, get down to the realities surrounding diversity and inclusion in the workplace and how we can break down the myths about what a diverse culture really means. Bo describes how her upbringing and education helped shape her journey in the DEI space. She quickly realized that she had to reach outside of the cookie-cutter processes for inclusion and explore how each person’s own experiences and backgrounds impact the work that we all do. This eye-opening conversation will not only change the way you view and interact with others, but it’ll challenge you to look within yourself and acknowledge and improve the way you respond to your own biases and assumptions. “You don’t really create true diversity if you don’t have inclusion first. Because if you have a very diverse organization but it's not very inclusive, you actually have just basically compliance. You have quotas. That kind of compliance, quota-oriented way to diversifying an organization, that’s actually what breeds the backlash.”  --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org