Black women are taking the tech field by storm! The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field has many talented black women at the forefront, and we are living for it! Read on for the five black women in tech that are forces to be reckoned with!
1. Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls CODE
“Don’t ever let anyone take your power. You are intrinsically more powerful than you can ever imagine. It’s all with YOU.”
-Kimberly Bryant
Kimberly Bryant is the founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization that introduces girls of color (ages 7-17) to the field of technology and computer science. The organization also focuses on teaching entrepreneurial concepts. Bryant founded Black Girls CODE in 2011, serving the Bay Area community until the further expansion of BGC. Black Girl CODE now has seven chapters across the U.S. and in Johannesburg, South Africa.
2. Regina Gwynn, CEO and cofounder of TresseNoire and Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT)
“Don’t wait, don’t pass ‘Go’, don’t collect $200, just do it.”
-Regina Gwynn
Regina Gwynn is CEO of TresseNoire, a virtual beauty coach that helps tailor haircare needs for women with textured hair. Gwynn is also the co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, a tech conference platform that connects Black women tech entrepreneurs with each other. The mission of Black Women Talk Tech is to recognize, encourage, and support black women to create and build their potential billion-dollar company.
3. Cierra McDonald, Microsoft Principal Programming Manager Lead
“If you’re young and have an interest in science and math, society needs you to come work in STEM to help push us all forward.”
-Cierra McDonald
Games aren’t just for boys, and Cierra McDonald proves just that. As the Principal Programming Manager Lead at Microsoft, McDonald works to develop games for Xbox. Earlier in her career at Microsoft, McDonald worked as a Software Development Engineer, developing scripts and coding to fix bugs. In 2020, McDonald was one of the few Black tech women featured in Essence’s The Future 10: Get to Know These 10 Black Women in Tech. McDonald is also the organizer of the “Blacks in Gaming” event at The Game Developers Conference.
4. Kathryn Finney, CEO of Genius Guild
“I’m a builder, innovator, and futurist.”
-Kathryn Finney
Dubbed as “one of the most influential women in tech”, Kathryn’s accolades speak for themselves. Kathryn Finney is the CEO of Genius Guild, a $20 million venture studio that invests in upcoming black entrepreneurs that serve black communities. Finney is also the founder of The Doonie Fund, an organization that encourages and invests in black women entrepreneurs. Currently, The Doonie Fund supports over 2,000 black women entrepreneurs.
Kathryn Finney has received many accolades such as the PayPal Maggie Lena Walker Achievement Award and Eisenhower Fellowship. Finney was also a former member of the National Advisory Council (NACIE), appointed by the Obama Administration.
5. Olabisi (Bisi) Boyle, VP of Product and Mobility at Hyundai Motors
“Show up every day, in the rain and sunshine.”
-Olabisi Boyle
It’s rare to find a woman that loves cars, but luckily Olabisi (or Bisi for short) Boyle can help inspire that change. As the Vice President of Product and Mobility of Hyundai, Boyle oversees market research, Hyundai’s U.S. vehicle lineup and mobility strategy, and much more. Boyle has 20 years of automotive experience, including product strategy and manufacturing leadership roles at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford Motor Company. Boyle was also the Vice President of Connected Commerce at Visa and the Vice President of IoT (Internet of Things) and Connected Car.
6. Angelica Ross, founder of TransTech Social Enterprises
“I can’t allow the world to have any standing in the decisions that I make in growing. By any means necessary, I’m going to blossom.”
Angelica Ross
You might know her as Candy Ferocity in Pose, but behind the scenes, the wondrous Angelica Ross is also a businesswoman! Ross is the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, a company that hires and empowers trans and gender nonconforming people through on-the-job training in leadership and workplace skills. Ross also founded the TransTech Summit, an event that allows LGBT+ members to network with other LGBT+ members, interact with new technology, and learn new skills.
We are living for the Black Girl Magic and are excited to see what’s next for these phenomenal Black women.
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