Gayle Thompson-Igwebike
Every October, Black History Month celebrates the contributions, culture, and achievements of the Black community. A time for thought-provoking discussions and inspiring events aimed at raising awareness and creating understanding in safe, supportive spaces. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming the Narrative,” focuses on the importance of Black communities telling their own stories and shaping how their history and experiences are represented.
As a Black woman, it can be frustrating when the world’s focus on Black history is limited to one month. The expertise, innovations, and contributions of extraordinary Black people deserve to be celebrated year-round, not confined to a few weeks. This is why I’m so passionate about working with Next Tech Girls, an organisation that just ‘get it’. One that truly understands the importance of supporting Black women every day of the year.
At Next Tech Girls, we are not only empowering and inspiring women, but we’re actively championing Black women and those from marginalised groups. Our mission, "Inspiring Today’s Girls in Education to Become Tomorrow’s Women in Tech," drives us to make real, lasting changes in the tech industry, especially when it comes to the dismal statistics surrounding Black women in tech. Throughout this blog are quotes from some of our community members, sharing their experiences with Next Tech Girls. I’ll be sharing their stories in more detail in an upcoming blog post.
Black women account for only 1.8% of the UK workforce, but a mere 0.7% of tech workers, according to a 2022 report by Coding Black Females and BCS. This stark underrepresentation translates to more than 20,000 Black women missing from the UK tech industry—a gap that signifies not just lost talent but missed opportunities for innovation and diverse perspectives. Changing this requires a concerted effort from across the industry. We need mentorship programmes, inclusive hiring practices, and early STEM exposure for underrepresented communities.
This is where Next Tech Girls comes in. We’ve developed initiatives like our Role Models Network, work-experience placements, and in-person insight days. These programmes are designed to offer young women real-world experiences, practical skills, and industry connections. By showing the many roles and diverse pathways into the tech industry, we’re helping demystify the field and sparking a genuine interest in tech careers.
“My journey in technology was largely solo at the very start, and I often felt alone... I wish I had a community like Next Tech Girls at 16. As a Role Model, I aim to support young girls, especially Black girls, in discovering opportunities in tech." - (Arin Ososanya: Product Manager; Rare Recruitment)
Being a Black woman in tech and a part of Next Tech Girls has been an incredibly empowering experience. It has allowed me the opportunity to take meaningful actions in changing how Black girls are seen—and how they see themselves. Along with our Director, Emily Hall-Strutt, we’ve made it a priority to ensure that our community truly reflects the diversity we strive for. We’re creating opportunities where Black girls and women can belong, be seen, and thrive in the tech industry. Our goal is to chip away at those statistics, one woman at a time.
“To me Next Tech Girls is an organisation that genuinely champions inclusivity and visibility; also empowers all women to see our potential in the tech space. I've found a supportive network that celebrates diversity, reminding us that our voices and contributions matter in redefining the future of technology.” – (Oyinda Olatunde: Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship Graduate)
“Reclaiming the Narrative” is more than just storytelling—it’s about giving Black women the agency to define who they are and how they are perceived in the world. Our community of role models continues to inspire the next generation of Black women in tech by sharing their own stories with honesty, pride, and power. These women have broken barriers, faced challenges, and continued to rise, serving as living proof of what’s possible when we lift each other up.
“My experience (with Next Tech Girls) has been a transformative one filled with empowerment, community, and growth. It is very encouraging for me as a Black woman to be a part of a network that deliberately provides spaces for us to thrive in addition to valuing diverse viewpoints.” – (Anne Awele Nwaokolo: Senior Information Analyst; Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
At Next Tech Girls, we’re not just waiting for the future; we’re actively shaping it. While October shines a spotlight on Black history, our mission goes far beyond a single month. We continue working every day to ensure that our community is fully represented and supported within the tech industry. With many exciting initiatives in the pipeline for 2025, we are committed to making sure Black women are seen, heard, and valued—not just during Black History Month, but every day.
“Next Tech Girls provided a space for me to meet so many fellow Black girls in STEM! With the tech industry historically not being representative of people who look like me, it’s so encouraging to see that we’re here - empowered to enact the change that’s very overdue!”- (Corine Agyemang: Artificial Intelligence Undergraduate)
As we continue to champion Black women in tech, we know our work doesn’t stop when the calendar flips. Black history is being made every day—through innovation, leadership, and resilience. Together, we are not just reclaiming the narrative; we’re creating a future where every woman knows she belongs in tech, today and always.
Stay tuned for the full feature on our Role Models, which will be published in our next blog post as part of our Black History Month series. Don't miss reading the inspiring stories and experiences of these remarkable women – sign up to our newsletter here.
