Black Women Shape Our World Beyond Tech 

Black women have been driving innovation forever—from defining music and multitudes of genres, to fashion, all the way to AI shaping the future, their influence runs deep, yet their contributions are often overlooked. During Black History Month, and every day, we must recognize the pioneers whose brilliance has built the foundation we stand on today. Because the impact of Black women isn’t confined to a single industry: it’s everywhere. 

From hidden figures in STEM to trailblazers in business, healthcare, and civil rights, their work has shaped every aspect of modern life. Think of the GPS systems we rely on daily, co-invented by Dr. Gladys West. Or the home security system, pioneered by Marie Van Brittan Brown. And let’s not forget the countless Black women who have shaped literature, politics, and science, ensuring that progress is not just made, but made for all of us. 

Take Lauryn Hill, the artist who redefined hip-hop and reshaped cultural identity. Or Taylor Shead, the tech founder using AI to transform education. Their stories remind us that without Black women, we’d be missing essential building blocks in art, technology, and beyond. Let’s explore their journeys so that we can understand their impact and move forward with appreciation. 

By Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA – Ms. Lauryn Hill @ The Mayan 10/18/2019, CC BY 2.0, File:Ms. Lauryn Hill @ The Mayan 10 18 2019 (49311868692).jpg – Wikimedia Commons

Lauryn Hill: The Voice that Transformed Music and Culture 

Lauryn Hill’s music was, and still is, a driving force for Black women in hip-hop and rap, and she brought culture with her. At a time when hip-hop was largely dominated by men, she carved out space for women, blending rap with soulful melodies in a way the industry had never seen before. She became the first female hip-hop artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist, while The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, her 1998 solo debut, won Best Rap Album, making her a trailblazer in an industry slow to recognize women’s contributions. With eight Grammy wins, she holds the record for the most awarded female rapper of all time.   

Hill’s influence doesn’t stop at music. She became a symbol of empowerment, unapologetically embracing her natural beauty and inspiring an entire generation to do the same. From locs and bantu knots to afros and braids, her iconic hairstyles helped fuel a natural hair movement, challenging outdated beauty standards and reclaiming cultural identity. As R&B artist SZA once said in Vogue, “The only girl that I could look to for natural hair inspiration growing up was Lauryn Hill.” 

Without Lauryn Hill, hip-hop wouldn’t be what it is today. And without Black women like her, we’d be missing essential voices that shape the way we create, innovate, and express ourselves. As stated earlier, the impact of Black women touches every corner of society. And every corner of society includes tech. 

Portrait by Sean Berry, “The Education of Taylor Shead, and Stemuli’s Stratospheric Rise”, D Magazine

Taylor Shead: Innovating the Future of AI and Education 

Technology has the power to change lives, but only if it’s built with purpose. Taylor Shead is doing exactly that. As the Founder and CEO of Stemuli, she is redefining what education looks like by leveraging AI to turn schools into career-connected video games. Her mission? To make learning more engaging, accessible, and directly tied to future job opportunities. 

At Stemuli, she uses AI to create immersive learning experiences that help students navigate their careers before they even enter the workforce. This groundbreaking approach has earned her recognition as one of the Dallas 500 Most Influential CEOs and awards for her impact on education and workforce development. By integrating AI into education, Shead is teaching students what to learn while she’s changing how they learn, ensuring the next generation is prepared for the rapidly evolving job market. 

Shead’s influence extends far beyond technology. She is a passionate advocate for education accessibility and economic empowerment, serving as an Executive Board Member at Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub and North Central Texas Economic Development District (NCTEDD). Her leadership in these spaces is helping shape policies that will drive innovation, workforce development, and equitable access to tech careers. 

At the heart of Shead’s work is a simple yet powerful idea: education should prepare people for real opportunities. By harnessing AI, she’s not only redefining the future of learning but also making career navigation more accessible for millions. 

Recognizing & Supporting Black Women’s Impact 

Black women have never just been participants in history, they’ve been architects of progress. Beyond the influence of Lauryn Hill and Taylor Shead, Black women’s work continues to shape the world in ways we can’t ignore. As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s not just about looking back—it’s about acknowledging, uplifting, and supporting Black women who are building the future today. 

Now you can take action. The conversation around creating a robust workforce and ethical AI needs more voices, more perspectives, and more leadership from those driving real change. Join the conversation on responsible AI, equity, and the future of technology: register to attend our Responsible AI Forum today. Because a future without Black women’s leadership in this space isn’t just incomplete, it’s unimaginable.