Reflecting on 2023 as a whole, I grew tremendously while circumnavigating the globe and engaging the sharpest technology minds about one of the most pressing technological issues: the ethical implications of AI advancements, particularly on vulnerable communities.
2023 Global Journey Recap
I began the year exploring culture and the impact of AI chip development in Taiwan, and thousands of miles later ended it speaking at the GitHub and PyTorch conferences in the mecca of AI development in San Francisco. In between, I learned about the Middle East outlook and investments in AI while interacting with robots in Saudi Arabia, swang into the rice fields of Bali, celebrated my birthday in the clouds amongst the futuristic skyscrapers in Dubai, bathed in the Dead Sea, walked the ancient trail of the Nabataeans from Petra to Alula, submerged in the Red Sea to explore a sunken ship and celebrated love in Morrocco after the earthquake.
Global Speaking Engagements Publication & Recognition
I also reached my goal of being published by sharing my Product Manager learnings to a diverse audience of 20k+ in
PeopleOfColorInTech
article. Additionally, I commanded paid speaking engagements and educated ERG group members at various corporation events. I also keynoted at Open Source Day, inspiring thousands of diverse women+ to pursue a career in tech sustainability with purpose, and contributing to open-source sustainably tailored to one of the most underrepresented groups: diverse women+ in tech. My poetry which incorporated elements of feminism, the pay gap, gender equality, affirmative action, and Roe v Wade was featured on the big screen displayed to a 20,000+ audience at AnitaB.org GHC during a time when these messages were needed this year at the conference more than ever.
Recognizing the value of providing spaces to network for introverts overwhelmed by large in-person events, I also built virtual communities by bringing 100s of diverse aspiring or current tech enthusiasts together to share travel and job resources at Afrotech via WhatsApp where group members shared resources to pursue or advance their tech careers.
Lastly, I received recognition from Latinas in Tech as an “Inspiring & Thriving Latinas in Tech” 🏅 which felt validating to know my work and the sacrifices I make to show up, don’t go unnoticed. I want this for all women who work tirelessly and yet often go unnoticed.
Moreover, on LinkedIn, I collaborated with Dove to educate and gain visibility on the CROWN Act at a time when black hair is still politicized in this country. On the topic of black hair, I also collaborated on a hair tech MVP, launched a site and survey (& hopefully soon an open-source project- your support is welcome), and engaged the black community about their haircare needs to revolutionize the low-tech haircare industry by creating digital products that are built to style our hair with less time, effort and energy while levering AI technology.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
As an early career, Afrolatina in tech from an Anthropology/STEM educational background, I never thought I would have had the opportunity to fly over the world to engage tech leaders from top tech companies on one of the most important tech issues of our time: the ethics of AI. I had the privilege of evangelizing amongst various audiences from Vancouver, Spain, to the heart of the AI dev in San Francisco. I had to overcome internal and external adversity to put myself out there despite my doubts, naysayers, and my own fears, but if I did it, so can you.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have done my part to contribute a proposal/roadmap for open-source communities to protect vulnerable communities from the harms of AI. Thanks to Linux Foundation for the opportunity. My goal was to educate and engage technology builders about the implications of the technology they build and to put us back on the map and room of these conversations, ensuring we don’t get left out of the future of technology as it develops.
Furthermore, for my day job as a product manager at Red Hat, I rallied my team and set the groundwork for shipping a 0 to 1 UI product update on #Quay and a feature that will positively impact large enterprise customers. I also co-authored blogs, co-led customer calls even in Spanish, and built up my cloud, DevOps and Kubernetes knowledge via the command line in the D0180 course & more.
In conclusion, this has been a tough year for the world at large, and my life was no different. Where I would dance around grief I now am learning to dance with it. I acknowledge I have privileges, but I am not simply “lucky.” I started as a community college student from a single-parent household of a low socio-economic background. Like many of us, I had no blueprint handed to me. Each year, I have no idea what will happen, but I won’t let that be my excuse for not working on being one step closer to leaving a positive legacy with the tools and resources I have today. I recognize my privilege to have had the experiences I have had but that is why I will not stop using whatever platform I have to be a voice for the voiceless while empowering marginalized communities to be in the driving seat of the future of technology.
A look ahead at 2024
In stark contrast to 2023, 2024 will not be a busy body year for me. I’m going ALL IN on me. As I heal: there will be No in-person events, no trips, no frivolous distractions, just me vs. me. I have been nomadic for over a decade and event-hopping for over a year straight. The lifestyle is exhilarating but also exhausting.
To be in the 1%, you have to be willing to walk a path that most won’t and that is the journey I have been prescribed. After this year, I will be 10x better mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I invite you to embark on an internal journey of your own, fortifying body, mind, and spirit. When I meet that point again where I’m ready to travel, I will do so, having had more mastery of my internal world first so I can better enjoy and contribute to the world. Meet you on the other side!
