Each year, the BBC honors 100 inspiring and influential women from around the globe, celebrating their contributions to society across various fields. This listicle highlights the women of color in tech who have earned a spot on the BBC 100 Women list this year. Gabriela Salas Cabrera, Mexico Gabriela Salas Cabrera is a programmer and data scientist whose work bridges technology and cultural preservation. When her mother tongue, Náhuatl, was missing from Google Translate, Salas took action. Collaborating with the tech giant, she helped integrate Náhuatl and other indigenous Mexican
Rebekah Kasumu is on a mission to level the playing field for first-time fund managers. With over 15 years of experience in private markets, she recently launched Flourish Partners, a firm dedicated to helping emerging fund managers navigate the complex world of launching and growing their funds. A Career Built on Experience Kasumu’s track record spans leadership roles at top-tier firms. Before starting Flourish Partners, she worked as Partner and Head of Finance at Localglobe, managing over $2 billion in assets across more than 15 funds. She also led finance and
Joanna Smith-Griffin, founder of the education-focused AI startup AllHere Education, has been charged with fraud and identity theft after allegedly misrepresenting her company’s financial health and customer base. Smith-Griffin, 33, reportedly secured nearly $10 million in investments by inflating revenue figures and claiming non-existent contracts with major school districts, including New York City Public Schools. Misrepresentation and Personal Gain Launched in 2016, AllHere Education aimed to combat absenteeism in schools using an AI chatbot named “Ed.” By 2021, Smith-Griffin asserted that her technology was adopted by eight major districts. However,
Whoopi Goldberg is launching All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), a dedicated 24/7 global sports network exclusively for women’s sports. The EGOT-winning actress and longtime advocate announced the launch on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Women’s Sports Finally Get Full-Time Coverage In an industry where women’s sports receive less than 20% of total coverage, Goldberg’s network arrives to bridge the gap. Unlike traditional channels that occasionally cover women’s events, this platform will spotlight women’s sports continuously, offering professional basketball, soccer, and growing sports like skateboarding and surfing. Goldberg’s network goes beyond game
Pamela Maynard, the newly appointed Chief AI Transformation Officer at Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions, has been named the 2024 Black British Business Person of the Year. Maynard received the award at the 11th annual Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards), which celebrates the achievements of Black professionals and entrepreneurs across the UK. Pamela Maynard Pamela Maynard, formerly CEO of Avanade, a Microsoft-Accenture joint venture, led the company to significant growth and secured its 18th Microsoft Partner of the Year title. During her acceptance speech, Maynard emphasized the ongoing work to break down
Out of Africa’s 100 most-funded startups since 2019, only three have female CEOs, according to Africa: The Big Deal. Of the three female CEOs, only two are Black women. Despite over $1 billion raised by giants like MTN-Halan, Sun King, and OPay, female leadership remains rare at the top. No Women Leading Top 10 Funded Ventures All top 10 ventures in terms of funding are led by men. In fact all startups that raised over $100 million since 2019 have male CEOs. Even beyond the top ventures, the disparity continues. Gro
Instagram has failed to remove 93% of abusive comments flagged for targeting women politicians, a recent report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found. Disproportionate Abuse Faced by Women of Color Politicians Among the politicians studied, Vice President Kamala Harris, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jasmine Crockett were subject to abuse. Comments ranged from overtly racist slurs to sexually explicit threats, many of which Instagram left unaddressed, despite these posts being clear violations of its community guidelines. In the 2020 US Congressional race, it was found that women of
The Hey Auntie! app is on a mission to address the growing loneliness epidemic by fostering meaningful connections between generations of Black women. Created by Nicole Kenney, the platform provides a safe and supportive space for Black women to share wisdom, receive guidance, and build community. Fostering Community Through Fictive Kinship Central to the Hey Auntie! experience is the concept of “fictive kinship,” where relationships are built not through blood ties but through emotionally significant connections. Kenney, who has long championed the power of intergenerational wisdom, describes the platform as
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in Durban South Africa, has made history by appointing Prof. Nokuthula Sibiya as its first female vice-chancellor. A Collective Victory for Women Professor Sibiya began her education at Tholisu and Sawela Primary Schools and continued at Velabahleke and Vukuzakhe High Schools in Umlazi Township. She pursued higher education at the University of Zululand, where she earned a degree in nursing. Furthering her studies, she obtained a Doctor of Technology in Nursing from the Durban University of Technology. As a C-rated researcher – an established researcher
Uncover, a Kenyan data-driven skincare brand, has successfully closed a $1.4 million seed II funding round to accelerate the growth of its innovative tech platform, introduce new products, and expand its market presence. This round, co-led by EQ2 Ventures and IgniteXL Ventures, saw participation from notable investors such as Chui Ventures, Samata Capital, and Altree Capital. Driving Personalization Through Data Founded in 2021 by Sneha Mehta (CEO), Jade Oyateru (COO), and Catherine Lee, Uncover has distinguished itself in the beauty industry by focusing on the unique skin care needs of
