One year ago, we came together with Charlotte Inno to highlight the importance around the conversation of women in technology. Our goal was to educate the Charlotte professional community about future workforce needs and how we, as a professional and innovative society, have the ability to affect change for the next generation of leaders through a series of articles brought to you by leaders in our community.
We started 2020 with no idea the role that this conversation would play over the next 10 months. The shutdown, which led into the social justice movement, completely redefined digital literacy for all. It exposed the gaps and bridges for communication, education and business. We were all thrust into this virtual revolution of digital interaction.
The Covid-19 pandemic opened up an opportunity to close the digital divide for our youth. Serious efforts were to provide every child a computer to work from home. Companies like Charter Communications, Comcast and Spectrum came to the table to offer families free internet for their children. Businesses of all sizes came together to provide opportunities and free programs online to parents, directly and indirectly, through grants and donations to non-profit and small businesses.
Every leader who has contributed to this series of articles noted an underlying theme throughout this year: We, in the professional community, have a chance to support this next generation with continued opportunities to grow, learn and be empowered — not just to consume digital media and technology but to create and innovate through it.
Abi Olukeye, founder of Smart Girls HQ, said there are two primary perceptions that influence the motivation for females to join STEM careers: 1) The perception that STEM is not creative, when in reality, STEM and creativity enable innovation; and 2) The perception that STEM is not impactful, when in reality, STEM solves real world problems.
“When we present a compelling case for STEM careers early in the talent pipeline by helping girls connect the dots between their unique talents and the STEM careers where their desire for creative expression and meaningful impact intersect, we unleash generations of female STEM leaders and innovators," she said.
Alyssa Sharp, CEO of Digi-Bridge added, “There is a lack of diverse role models who are willing to share their story of how STEM didn’t come easy to them in school and how hard they had to work to get to where they are today.”
Partnerships like the one UNC Charlotte created with Northridge Middle School aims to prepare middle school students for computing curriculum in high school, to develop and test effective CS teaching modules that integrate into existing math, science and English language arts curriculum, and ultimately, to provide equitable access to students who are typically underrepresented in computing.
Charlotte ranked 6th in the nation for top tech cities based on demand for tech workers, open positions, cost of living and projected job growth, according to CompTIA. Adam Boitnott, CEO of Hylaine, recognized that IT has historically been stretched thin with talent, and it has become even more critical that our communities and schools provide ways for girls to have the opportunity to learn and apply tech skills in a positive and safe environment.
Jocelyn Keung, founder of Fleurix, said recruiters and hiring managers should broaden the definition of what makes a candidate qualified and desirable.
This year has not been a perfect year by any means. It has been hard, really hard; however, as we sit in our co-working space reflecting on the beginning of this series, we are struck by accomplishment, the overwhelming number of walls that were put up in our community and the accomplishments that were achieved as we broke those walls down. We had goals at the beginning of the year, and while not knowing how the challenges yet to come would stop us from achieving many of those goals, we did reach others.
We are not out of the woods yet and have a long way to go, but our commitment to empowering our professional community to continue helping this next generation burns bright. Code Ninjas and the Dottie Rose Foundation are working together to move the pendulum and provide quality programming, support and a pathway for girls in technology. Our missions are changing the conversation of what it means to be a woman in tech and establishing a framework for future generations to come. Join us in 2021, and help continue to move the needle forward for girls and women in tech.
Women in STEM Series
This is the final installment in a 12-month series of articles meant to introduce readers to a variety of perspectives in changing the conversation around women and girls in STEM. This series is led by two local business owners, Anjali Dighe, owner of Code Ninjas Ballantyne, Concord and Relentless Group; and Dr. Sharon Jones, founder of Dottie Rose Foundation and the Dot Consulting. Together, they hope to move the pendulum and provide quality programming, support and a pathway for girls to find their way in technology. Their missions are changing the conversation of what it means to be a woman in tech and establishing a framework for future generations to come.
