This episode of “B The Way Forward,” is all about advice as host Brenda Darden Wilkerson explores the many paths and entry points into the tech industry. Our guest, Hosanna Hali aka the Fairy Tech Mother, has been working to demystify the tech space by offering tips and tricks across her social media channels. As a young woman in tech who spent 5 years working at Microsoft, Hosanna leads by example and uses her voice to empower other young people looking to pursue careers in technology. This thoughtful conversation pushes us to think about the career paths we choose and encourages everyone to continue toward the goals they wish to pursue in tech. Brenda and Hosanna discuss the tricky feelings around imposter syndrome and why you belong in the tech space despite what external voices might be telling you. Plus, Hosanna offers unique advice to our listeners like how to stand out from the crowd, why it’s important to understand your individual value and why your degree doesn’t have to define you. She also explains why she founded her very own platform called “The Tech Cornr,” where she posts video and content to help others learn more about careers in tech.  "Yes, the degree that you have will make a real difference in some of the jobs that you apply for, but don't let that stop you. Your career doesn't start and end by your degree, it's just one part of it." For more of Hosanna Hali and her work check out... Instagram - @thetechcornr TikTok - @thetechcornr YouTube - @thetechcornr9187 --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson takes listeners through a unique and mission-driven type of venture capitalism. Our guest Sunita Grote leads UNICEF's Venture Fund which provides seed funding to early-stage ventures in emerging markets. Through her work at UNICEF, Sunita builds a portfolio of emerging technologies that help children around the world. Brenda and Sunita talk about what types of technologies the Venture Fund is investing in from AI and machine learning to blockchain, cryptocurrency and drones. Sunita shows us how these investments drive impact for example: Education solutions that make it easier for children to consume math; A medical records platform that has helped boost child vaccination rates by over 8%; And even blockchain cash and voucher systems that improve the speed and transparency which cash assistance is delivered to families in need. They also talk about the importance of changing power dynamics by being thoughtful about which solutions are selected and investing in technology founded by women. Together, Brenda and Sunita dive into the importance of mission-driven venture funding and what we can look forward to from Sunita and UNICEF in the future.  “How we do things when it comes to technology and innovation, to me, is as important as the ‘what’ we do. It's not really okay to compromise on the ‘how’ for the sake of the next big technology solution. That’s not really going to get us to changing some of those fundamental imbalances that we’re seeing and those injustices that we're seeing.” To find out more about UNICEF's Office of Innovation and their work check out... LinkedIn - /unicef-innovation X - @UNICEFinnovate Instagram - @unicefinnovate --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of B The Way Forward, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with CEO of Black Girls Code, Cristina Jones about her work to solve the lack of representation of Black women in technology. Only 2% of the STEM workforce are Black women, and Cristina is hoping to change that. She tells our listeners how she plans to achieve the mission of Black Girls Code, which is to launch 1 million girls into technology by 2040. Her unique perspective as a former Hollywood executive makes her a powerful new force in the tech space, telling a more inclusive story that encourages black girls to join the tech industry. Brenda and Cristina dive into terminology and tech talk and why language in the industry is so important for young girls to feel empowered and welcome into the space. Cristina’s breadth of advice is endless. You’ll learn why it’s crucial to know and articulate your value proposition and the strengths you have to offer in the workforce.  “The hardest notion to break is a preconceived notion, especially the ones that are made about yourself.” For more of Cristina Jones and her work check out... Instagram - @blackgirlscode LinkedIn - /Black-Girls-Code Facebook - /BlackGirlsCodeOrg X - @BlackGirlsCode TikTok - /@blackgirlscode YouTube - /BlackGirlsCode --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

Our guest on today’s episode of “B The Way Forward” is dreaming of a black tech future that makes digital infrastructure more inclusive for everybody. Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with Vice President of Policy at the Multicultural Media and Telecommunication Internet Council (MMTC) and creator of #BlackTechFutures Research Institute, Dr. Fallon Wilson, about ways to close the digital divide. Together, they address the disparities in Internet access across black communities and why Fallon is fighting for actionable change like getting computers in the hands of all school children and creating better access for people to do remote work at home. You’ll hear some really shocking facts around who has Internet access – and who doesn’t– while Brenda and Fallon talk through some major misconceptions around technology gaps. Plus, we learn why Fallon is sick and tired of the conversation around Artificial Intelligence and why she’s working to humanize an index that measures disparities in cities.  “When we think about data science or data scientists, I always think about Ida B. Wells and her ability to develop a type of data set to talk about lynching and lynching of Black bodies, and what does that look like, and what are the policy implications for it? I think Black people have always, I think with every new type of tool to tell story, or a new type of technology to tell narrative, we have always been at the forefront of crafting our story and trying to show this is injustice.” For more of Dr. Fallon Wilson and her work check out... X - @SistahWilson | @mmtconline | @BlackChurchesDE Instagram - @mmtconline | @blackchurches4digitalequity Facebook - /mmtconline | /blackchurches4digitalequity Linkedin - /fallonwilson | /mmtconline --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of "B The Way Forward," recorded live at Grace Hopper Celebration 2023, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with her friend and colleague, Bo Young Lee, a transformative and inspirational voice in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Bo is currently serving as President of Advisory and Interim Chief Impact Officer at AnitaB.org and previously served as Uber’s first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Brenda and Bo, both dedicated to empowering women and underrepresented voices, get down to the realities surrounding diversity and inclusion in the workplace and how we can break down the myths about what a diverse culture really means. Bo describes how her upbringing and education helped shape her journey in the DEI space. She quickly realized that she had to reach outside of the cookie-cutter processes for inclusion and explore how each person’s own experiences and backgrounds impact the work that we all do. This eye-opening conversation will not only change the way you view and interact with others, but it’ll challenge you to look within yourself and acknowledge and improve the way you respond to your own biases and assumptions. “You don’t really create true diversity if you don’t have inclusion first. Because if you have a very diverse organization but it's not very inclusive, you actually have just basically compliance. You have quotas. That kind of compliance, quota-oriented way to diversifying an organization, that’s actually what breeds the backlash.”  --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined live, onstage by artificial intelligence expert Dr. Joy Buolamwini. There’s a reason why she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023. Founder and Artist-in-Chief of the Algorithmic Justice League, Dr. Buolamwini questions the responsibility that comes with new technology and sounds the alarm about the implications for our future. Think about all the moments you are confronted with artificial intelligence at places like the airport or on your cell phones. Dr. Buolamwini, who recently authored “Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect what is Human in a World of Machines, is an essential voice uncovering the existential risks that come with AI technology. She’ll show you how real-world data meant for efficiency and convenience can end up being used against you and how her work at the Algorithmic Justice League encourages everyone to speak up if something feels wrong.  “You think about training new models on synthetic data because maybe we started resisting and we said, no more scraping our data. Then you get even more skewed data sets going into the next generation. And I'm using images as one example, but you can think of this with text, you can think of it with a voice and so forth. So I think it's really important that one, we don't set our current status quo as the target, higher aspirations, right. But also, knowing that the systems as they exist are making things worse.” For more of Dr. Dr. Buolamwini... Newsletter - poetofcode.substack.com  X - @jovialjoy LinkedIn - /buolamwini --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions Photo of Dr. Joy Buolamwini by Naima Green For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

Join host Brenda Darden Wilkerson for a “Game On” conversation with Kellee Santiago, a video game creative director, consultant and a builder of worlds. Kellee knows first-hand that games are more than entertainment – they are powerful engines for empathy. And in this episode, Kellee takes us through her remarkable journey from making indie games, at a time when women made up only 4-5% of the gaming workforce, to her successful work with industry giants like Google and Niantic. Together, Brenda and Kellee explore why games are such an important cornerstone of our culture and even our global conversation. This wide ranging discussion looks at the industry's evolution, ongoing challenges, and Kellee's approach to fostering inclusive and innovative game development. Plus, tune in for some myth-busting facts about gaming history, including the stories of some women who were actually at the forefront of building original games. So press play and learn the transformative power of gaming and how you can be part of creating empathetic, engaging worlds that resonate with diverse audiences. “The immersion into a different world and a different perspective, is just such a cool capacity of games that I would love to continue to see more of, and more people engaging with.” For more of Kellee Santiago check out... LinkedIn - /kelleesantiago/ --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

If you're not entirely sure what it takes to become an entrepreneur or how venture capital funds really work, you’re not alone. Arlan Hamilton has an inspiring story to share about how she built her very own venture capital fund while she was homeless. One statistic changed Arlan’s life: Less than 10% of venture funding goes to anyone who is not a straight white man in the U.S.  In this powerful conversation between host Brenda Darden Wilkerson and Arlan Hamilton, you’ll learn the same lessons Arlan did about becoming a good investor and how she built a venture capital fund that invests in underrepresented startup founders. Together, Brenda and Arlan dive into the feelings of being on the outside of an industry, why representation is key, and how even Mark Cuban ended up investing in Arlan’s startup.  “I was homeless for much of that beginning part of starting Backstage. And there were many, many days that I went hungry. But what I knew at the time was, there were a lot of things outside of my control everyday. And days went by very slowly back then. But one thing that people could not take from me, you couldn't take from me, no matter what happened, no matter what my bank account said, was information and knowledge that I had.” For more of Arlan Hamilton check out... Instagram: @arlanwashere  Linkedin: /arlanhamilton --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

Did you know that a meager 4% of pharma R&D targets women's health? Or that there are no published statistics on PMS-related work absences? These startling realities take center stage as host Brenda Darden-Wilkerson chats with FemTech pioneer Dr. Brittany Barreto, host of "The FemTech Focus Podcast.” Together, they define what FemTech actually means and how it impacts all of our lives. They dig deep into FemTech's overlooked goldmine and unpack its vital, often life-or-death implications. In a conversation full of incredible insights, urgency, and opportunity — Dr. Barreto delivers a powerful wake-up call about the price of avoiding those ‘uncomfortable’ conversations about women’s health and bodies and offers practical ways to be part of the coming FemTech revolution. “This is really critical because, on the most extreme sense, women's lives are on the line. They're literally dying due to the lack of diagnostics or accurate treatments to help them.” For more of Dr. Barreto check out... Instagram - @drbrittanybarreto & @femtechfocus X - @DrBrittB, @FemTech_Focus & @FHInsights LinkedIn - @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., @FemTech Focus & @FemHealth Insights On the Web - drbrittanybarreto.com --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

In this episode of "B The Way Forward," recorded live at Grace Hopper Celebration 2023, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with creative dynamo Janelle Monáe, exploring the intersection between art and technology. Janelle delves into her journey as a multi-hyphenate actress, musician, author, and activist and her poignant roles in films like “Moonlight”, “Glass Onion”, and “Hidden Figures”. And they discuss how art serves as a powerful tool for change, illuminating and amplifying the narratives of women, especially women of color, in tech. As Janelle reflects on forging her identity through her craft, she also shares some pearls of wisdom for those eager to find their own voice. “Erasure of identities is just dangerous. It's just so dangerous to omit the truth. And we just need more truth tellers. And more people in the position of power fighting back against that... Using your power and your influence to combat ignorance is really going to be one of the ways forward.” X -@JanelleMonae Instagram - @janellemonae Facebook - /janellemonae YouTube - @janellemonae On the web - jmonae.com --- At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine  Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org   Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org