Diversity tech organization AnitaB.org and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot are teaming up to host a virtual job fair on Friday that aims to help women find local tech roles.
The virtual career event will introduce attendees to representatives from companies like Google, Jamf, Amazon and more. Attendees will be able to upload their resumes, and network with other job seekers and companies with open tech roles. More than 3,200 people have registered for the event, according to AnitaB.
The event will be led by Jeanne Sparrow, a television and radio personality at V103/WVAZ Chicago, an iHeart Radio station, and remarks will be made by Mayor Lightfoot and AnitaB’s President and CEO Brenda Darden Wilkerson.
“It’s really important that we understand that just like everywhere else, Chicago has had its challenges with making sure that tech is diverse,” said Wilkerson, the former director of computer science and IT education at Chicago Public Schools, who helped establish computer science curriculums for the district.
“I met with Mayor Lightfoot and we talked about how we could work together to not only bring more attention to Chicago but also to increase the diversity of tech everywhere,” Wilkerson continued.
AnitaB offers education and mentorship programs for women currently working and interested in working in the tech industry. The organization is headquartered in Silicon Valley, but has a growing Chicago presence. Wilkerson is also based in the Windy City, and has been working with Lightfoot since she took office to diversify the local tech industry.
“Now more than ever, technology plays a critical role in everything from public policy, transportation, and so much more,” Lightfoot said in an emailed statement to Inno. “While the tech industry still has a long way to go before it fully creates thriving environments for women, people of color, and those in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s organizations like AnitaB.org that will spearhead a new era of inclusion and innovation, and bring about the change we all want to see across our communities, cities and entire world.”
Besides the Mayor’s office, AnitaB has partnered with tourist organization Choose Chicago and P33, an initiative led by serial entrepreneur Chris Gladwin and Penny Pritzker to boost Chicago’s reputation as a tech hub, to help bring attention to Chicago tech. AnitaB has hosted regular networking and mentoring events, partnering with entities like Chicago-based fintech company Morningstar to do so.
At the virtual career event, AnitaB plans to announce a new membership program that will give people more access to AnitaB events and partners around the world who are committed to diversity and inclusion. The membership will include career coaching, mentoring, salary negotiation training and on-demand curated content.
“Bringing this work to Chicago is focusing on … bringing together public and private sectors to create an inclusive infrastructure that will empower all women in tech,” Wilkerson said. “We want to bring attention to all of the amazing work that is happening in the city of Chicago.”
