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Just reached 500 members in my Bay Area Black Designers @Meetup — or as some have called it,tech's largest unofficial ERG. https://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Black-Designers/
Mind =
When I decided to pull together the 5 other Black designers I knew back in summer 2015 I had no idea how far we'd go. 1/8
Mind =
When I decided to pull together the 5 other Black designers I knew back in summer 2015 I had no idea how far we'd go. 1/8
Over the last 5 years we helped each other polish our design skills, buff up our portfolios, prep for interviews and negotiations, boost financial literacy, set and crush goals, get hired at new companies, practice public speaking…and when it was potluck time, we brung it
2/8
2/8
We partnered with and have been supported by dozens of Bay Area tech companies who granted us space, tours, talks, and hella snacks.
Mad love to @pandoramusic @SlackHQ @IDEOorg @frogdesign @Pinterest @yelpsf @Google @goabstract @instagram @coreos @Oakstop_ @DanethaDoe 3/8
Mad love to @pandoramusic @SlackHQ @IDEOorg @frogdesign @Pinterest @yelpsf @Google @goabstract @instagram @coreos @Oakstop_ @DanethaDoe 3/8
Members say stuff like:
“This group has given me such a sense of community.”
“I've been able to connect with other Black people in my field and have real conversations about what it is to be a Black professional in the Bay Area. It's really helped my mental health.” 4/8
“This group has given me such a sense of community.”
“I've been able to connect with other Black people in my field and have real conversations about what it is to be a Black professional in the Bay Area. It's really helped my mental health.” 4/8
…
“This group gives me confidence.Knowing that there’s more of “us” in tech even if I don’t see it at my company.”
"This is a group of creative,inspiring & dope Black designers contributing to th greater good of the design industry by working together to develop each other."5/8
“This group gives me confidence.Knowing that there’s more of “us” in tech even if I don’t see it at my company.”
"This is a group of creative,inspiring & dope Black designers contributing to th greater good of the design industry by working together to develop each other."5/8
Founding and running this group has been a labor of love.
For the first 4 years I facilitated a meetup *every single month*—always focused on the goals of professional development and/or cultivating stronger community. It was a ton of time and work but it was worth it. 6/8
For the first 4 years I facilitated a meetup *every single month*—always focused on the goals of professional development and/or cultivating stronger community. It was a ton of time and work but it was worth it. 6/8
I'm so grateful for the support of friends I made along the way like @rayf__ @mastadre and @dwaydream. And last year when I was finishing my book and needed to step back from BABD for a while, @kchowse @kemuinat @mbarnesart and Jocelyn Matthews had my back. Much gratitude
7/8
7/8
It was a huge honor when @Forbes @ForbesWomen published my playbook for others who want to start their own niche professional community.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyjoffrion/2019/02/05/feel-like-the-only-one-how-to-build-your-own-professional-community/#22898c59566b
If u feel alone,don't struggle in silence. Open up.Create an invitation for others like you to support ea other. 8/9
https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyjoffrion/2019/02/05/feel-like-the-only-one-how-to-build-your-own-professional-community/#22898c59566b
If u feel alone,don't struggle in silence. Open up.Create an invitation for others like you to support ea other. 8/9
The biggest honor is knowing that Bay Area Black Designers mattered to all the folks who felt like they were the only one.
Our visibility and our very existence says:
"I see you. And you're never alone."
http://bayareablackdesigners.com
~fin~
(Most of these photos by @mastadre)
Our visibility and our very existence says:
"I see you. And you're never alone."
http://bayareablackdesigners.com
~fin~
(Most of these photos by @mastadre)
@threadreaderapp unroll for all my homies who want to read this in one go
@threadreaderapp unroll
