You Belong in Tech

Tech isn’t just a playground for the privileged—it’s a space where everyone deserves a seat at the table. Regardless of your race, ethnicity, or gender identity, your unique perspective is more than just welcome, it’s essential. The future of technology hinges on diverse voices and innovative ideas, and it’s high time we recognized that inclusion isn’t just a lofty ideal, but a fundamental necessity for driving real growth and transformation.

Every day, we see the power of diverse voices propelling tech to new heights. Yet, the journey to inclusivity is ongoing and far from complete. That’s where AnitaB.org and Grace Hopper Celebration come in. We stand as a beacon of change, creating transformative spaces where underrepresented voices are heard and celebrated. Here, women and nonbinary individuals from every background come together to shape the future of tech. They bring fresh perspectives, challenge the status quo, and redefine what’s possible.

So, let’s be clear: Tech is for everyone. Your voice matters, your ideas count, and the future is brighter when we all have a role in shaping it.

The Empathy Gap in Tech

The tech industry prides itself on innovation, but behind the façade of progress, there’s a glaring empathy gap. Underrepresentation remains a significant issue, especially when it comes to racial, ethnic, and gender disparities.

Recent data highlights the stark reality: Women of color make up less than 10% of the tech workforce, and Black and Latine tech professionals are dramatically underrepresented in leadership roles, holding only 2% and 3% of executive positions, respectively. This isn’t just a statistical blip; it’s an issue that reflects a broader lack of empathy within the industry.

The absence of empathy from leadership and peers doesn’t just create a lack of opportunity—it fosters hostile environments where individuals from underrepresented backgrounds might feel marginalized and excluded. If leaders fail to actively listen and address the concerns of diverse team members, they can inadvertently reinforce a culture where exclusion thrives. This empathy gap isn’t just a barrier to individual success; it’s a roadblock to collective innovation and growth.

Consider this: companies with diverse teams are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors. Yet, without a concerted effort to close the empathy gap and create genuinely inclusive spaces, these benefits remain out of reach for many. True inclusion requires more than just token gestures; it demands a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the barriers faced by marginalized groups.

It’s time for the tech world to move beyond surface-level diversity initiatives and commit to fostering environments where empathy and inclusion are at the core of every interaction.

You’ve Got a Seat at the Table

To be completely clear: you belong here. Technology touches every aspect of our daily lives—it’s woven into how we communicate, work, learn, and innovate. Because everyone uses tech, everyone has an inherent right to belong in the industry that creates it. The tech world isn’t reserved for the select few who’ve traditionally held power; it’s a space for everyone. No matter your background, race, ethnicity, or gender identity, you deserve a place in this industry.

For too long, tech has been defined by barriers built to keep out the very people whose voices are needed most to drive profound innovations. But those barriers are coming down, and you have every right to claim your space at the table.

Take, for example, trailblazers like Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, who transformed her personal challenges as a Black woman in tech into a movement empowering thousands of young Black girls to break into STEM. Or consider transgender software engineer and advocate Angelica Ross, who built her own tech company while also pushing for broader inclusion of trans voices in tech. These women, these changemakers, didn’t wait for permission to join the conversation—they carved their own paths, proving that the tech industry not only needs their perspectives but thrives because of them.

The message is simple: you belong in tech, and you deserve every opportunity it offers.

Grace Hopper Celebration: A Place to Elevate Inclusion

Grace Hopper Celebration, our yearly tech gathering, is the ultimate space for building inclusive networks and amplifying underrepresented voices in tech. It’s where industry leaders and changemakers come together to break barriers, share their journeys, and advocate for a more diverse and equitable tech landscape. GHC stands at the forefront of this movement, creating opportunities for women and nonbinary people to learn, connect, and grow.

GHC, with its’ plethora of activities, is designed with this very principle at its core. From panels focused on equity and diversity in tech to mentorship programs that pair attendees with industry leaders, every element of GHC is crafted to empower you to push for change. Sessions like “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: How to Fix the Broken Rung in Tech” or mentorship circles with leaders or peers give you the insights and support needed to elevate your career and challenge the status quo.

This is where your voice matters. Grace Hopper Celebration is a space where you can gain the tools to help drive meaningful change in your workplace and beyond. Whether you’re looking to network with like-minded professionals, learn from top advocates, or build your personal brand, GHC is the place to start.

Your Representation Matters, and So Does Your Presence at GHC

Tech is for everyone—that means you. Spaces like Grace Hopper Celebration are specifically designed to amplify the voices of those who have historically been underrepresented. Your experiences, your perspective, and your story add value to the tech industry, and it’s time to take your seat at the table.

Be a part of GHC and help actively shape the future of the tech industry. This is where your presence truly matters. It’s where you can network, learn, and equip yourself with the tools to drive change within your own workplace, creating ripple effects that lead to more inclusive environments for everyone.

So, take the next step. Join us at GHC and become part of the movement to create a tech industry that reflects the world we live in.