✅ Go to my first tech summit.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending BPTN’s (Black Professionals In Tech) inaugural BFUTR summit! This was the perfect event for me to go to.

Why?

1 ) It was so refreshing and comforting it was to be in a room full of people who look like me. I’ve been in a lot of spaces where I have been the only person of colour (or sometimes the only Black woman) and people don’t always understand how or why it can be challenging. I’m not going to get in depth about microaggressions or emotional labor because Google is free, but it felt great to not deal with those for a day.

2) As the kids today say, THE MUSIC WAS LIT. Just know that I felt so much joy hearing songs from Jidenna, Lizzo, Cardi B, and Beyonce played and seeing everyone sing or dance along. I opted to not go to the after party although it was included in my ticket, but I know for a fact that it would have been a good time. I took the GO Transit bus in and I didn’t really want to kill another four hours in the city since I had been up since 4AM. I will be there next year, for sure.

Gems were dropped. See below 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

“Challenge yourself to find what is your purpose. Don’t worry about what you don’t know, but instead challenge what you believe to be true each and every day.” - Joseph Bradley#BPTN #BFTUR
— Tenisha Rawlins (@tenisharawlins) October 25, 2019

It’s good to know that companies welcome those of us who don’t have traditional tech backgrounds but have the drive and determination to learn. #BPTN #BFUTR
— Tenisha Rawlins (@tenisharawlins) October 25, 2019

Takeaways from today:

👉🏾 Closed mouths don’t get fed. Ask for what you want. (This has been the common theme of my week, tbh.)

👉🏾 You matter and belong in this space.

👉🏾 “No” can mean “Not right now.”

👉🏾Be authentic.

👉🏾 Know how to tell stories and be agile. #BPTN
— Tenisha Rawlins (@tenisharawlins) October 25, 2019

Let’s not forget that there were companies at the event that were hiring. These are companies that are committed to having diverse and inclusive staff and back their word up with actions. It’s often one of the things I consider when I’m job hunting. It took me the entire day to the nerve to stop by the booth of the company I’ve had my eye on for almost a year. I like what they’re doing, how they treat their employees, and last but not least, their core values align with my own. I don’t know why on earth I was so nervous about it, but hey, as Justina said, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” I got some great advice about applying for a job there at a point in the future and enjoyed my conversation with one of their talent recruiters. It’s safe to say that I have things to create, software to learn, and skills to brush up on by the time Spring 2020 arrives.

Overall, I was glad that I got out of my comfort zone a bit. I’m not a huge fan of networking, and personally it ranks right up there with icebreakers at group job interviews. As one man I spoke with said, “Just learn how to network on your own terms and do it how you think it should be done.” It’s pretty solid advice if you ask me.

Back to the topic, though - I didn’t leave with any new connections, but that wasn’t my intent or goal in the first place. I was simply there to learn and soak up the amazing experience. I’m glad I managed to win a ticket, which happened to be the exact one I had been thinking of buying for months.

A huge thank you goes out to the great staff, volunteers, and sponsors for putting on a spectacular event! Already looking forward to BFTUR 2020 and other things coming down the pipeline!