The Most Wanted Unusual Suspect: Markia Zuckerberg
In June 2011, Vivek Wadhwa wrote that we need a black Mark Zuckerberg. But, what about Markia? Is it hard to imagine that the next big thing could come from a Black woman living in an urban environment instead of one of Indian or Asian descent? What about a woman with Spanish as her first language? Where are the Black, Latino, and female Mark Zuckerbergs? There are plenty of underrepresented minorities and women who have achieved success in the tech field, but not to the level of a Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs. It is a mission impossible or more like improbable?This is not a session that will re-hash and re-frame this familiar problem. This session will present out-of-the-box-thinking solutions to address the issue of diversity head on. It will also present challenges to and action items for attendees that will help to move the needle forward to truly increase diversity in the tech community.
Presenters
Glennette loves tech – a lot. She also loves creating events that bring together the tech community – a lot. Smarter Experiences marries those two passions, allowing her to share a deep knowledge of web design, UX, and marketing with her almost compulsive drive to organize and produce experiences that keep people talking days and weeks later.
She is a mom, wife, Prince fanatic, human observer, techie, designer, gadget freak, Apple fangirl. and all around geek.
A digital media consultant, online communications manager and founder of the D.C.-based tech non-profit Digital Sistas which focuses on using digital media and technology for women and diverse communities. As a self-proclaimed “geekette,” she founded the first women of color web management firms in the early 90's, which managed PoliticallyBlack.com prior to it's sale and incorporation into what's known today as Politico.com.
In addition she created a digital media game that helped youth learn technology and programming through healthy competition at the local Techno Rodeos.
As an author she has written “Gaining Daily Access to Science and Technology” in the book 50 Ways to Improve Women's Lives. Shireen has been honored with several awards including Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch, Top 100 DC Tech Titans, Social Citizen Award: Apps for Democracy DC, Rising Star: Woman of Color in Technology, Heroine in Technology, Community Technology Leader, one of The Root 100, and Black Enterprise Women to Follow.
Furthermore, she currently sits as Chair of the Media and Technology Task Force of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO). She continues to work with nonprofits, businesses and government agencies on their social media strategies and online campaigns particularly for those that are struggling to reach diverse communities. She continues to engage and organize local DC Tech Events focused on women and technology.
Saturday, March 10
