This Is Why Some Black Women Are Leaving The Tech Industry
Black women only make up 0.7% of the UK’s technology workforce, according to the Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2023. With statistics being that low, it’s hard for Black women to believe that they can make space in an industry where they are often not seen. Nevertheless, Black women in tech do exist, and many of them are thriving.
At this year’s Black Tech Fest, a panel discussion explored the structural barriers that prevent Black women from joining the industry. The panel titled “The Silent Code No More: Black Women Reclaiming Tech featured Dr Abigail Otchere, co-founder, SiSTEM UK; Donna Otchere, co-founder, SiSTEM UK; Hosanna Hali, founder, The Tech Cornr; and Ama Annan, Infra Transformation Specialist, Accenture.
Here are some takeaways we got from the panel.
Not feeling comfortable in the industry
When you’re a minority in a space that is dominated by people who don’t look like you, it’s easy to feel like you belong. Hail told the panel that she felt uncomfortable being the only Black woman in several spaces in the tech industry.
Annan shared that the lack of representation made her question her space in tech. “I had to quieten the inner voice of impostor syndrome and the feeling that you’re only there because you’re a token. Finding communities that are just like you really does help because it reminds you that you are worthy of being there.”
The issue of retention
Getting Black women’s first foot in the door is one issue. However, retention is also a significant issue within the tech space, with approximately 50% of professionals leaving the industry by the age of 35, according to research from the Tech Talent Charter. “I think the difficulty is that there’s not enough diversity. It’s up to companies to make us feel comfortable. There aren’t enough people who look like us in these companies,” Hail said.
Annan believes tech companies are pushing people out of the industry because they fail to make minorities feel safe. “Having conferences and workshops helps educate people in the industry about different experiences.”
There’s still space for you
Joining the tech industry as a Black woman is scary, as we’re dealing with two different identities. “People don’t expect you as you are Black, young, and female. It becomes challenging as you don’t know how to show up,” Hail adds.
However, if you want to make the move to become a tech professional, Annan says you should feel the fear and take a leap of faith. “You have a story to tell. If you’re gonna do it, do it scared.”
Image: Wocintech
