Why?

We created this conference to address the needs of women (cis and trans) of color, such as Blacks and Latinas, who rarely see others like themselves in the workplace, especially in higher ranking positions. Existing tech conferences — even ones specifically designed for women — often have few underrepresented women in attendance and as speakers, especially on technical topics. Additionally, tech conferences are typically unaffordable, creating a financial barrier to those interested in breaking into the industry.

What?

Tech Intersections provides a space for the women of color most underrepresented in tech to come together and learn from each other’s successes, challenges, and experiences. While we value our allies and recognize that all women in tech and men of color also face discrimination, this is a unique opportunity for us to have our own space. We hold an Ally Skills workshop so everyone can participate in the day.

Specifically, this conference is exclusively for people who:

• are women or otherwise subject to misogyny due to their actual or perceived gender,
• are engineers, entrepreneurs, activists, teachers, or leaders in tech (or aspiring to be), and
• belong to an ethnic group underrepresented in tech, including, but not limited to:
  • Black
  • American Indian/Native American
  • Latinx
  • Middle Eastern
  • Pacific Islander
  • Southeast Asian

Speakers present talks, panels, and workshops on:

• career skills
• self-care
• sharing the benefits
• tech ecosystem building
• tech entrepreneurship and VC
• technical skills

Tickets are priced to keep cost from being a barrier to attendance, and speakers attend for free. We aim for a harassment-free environment and hold attendees and staff to a code of conduct.

Attendance is limited to 250 people.

Who?

The organizers are:

• Maira Benjamin, Senior Director of Engineering, Change.org
• Idalin Bobé, Head of Operations, Meroxa
• Tiffany Wood, Program Officer, Pacific Foundation Services
• Ellen Spertus, Teching Professor, Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University

Where?

Mills College is located at 5000 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland, which is accessible by AC Transit and has free parking.

Talks will take place in Littlefield Concert Hall and the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business, which are wheelchair accessible. Gender-neutral bathrooms will be available. We are committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities, including providing ASL interpreters and CART services as needed.

When?

The next conference will be Saturday, January 28, 2023. We plan for registration and breakfast to begin at 8 AM and for the morning session to start at 9 AM. We expect the conference to run until approximately 5 PM.

The first Tech Intersections conference was held on Saturday, January 27, 2018. 

How Can I Help?

You can:

• spread the word about the conference
• follow and boost us on social media
• ask your employer or other organizations to become a sponsor
• volunteer (email info@techintersections.org)

Credits

Our logo was designed by Deana Bui, vectorized by Pirouz Mehmandoost, and updated by Owen Troy, Design des Troy, who has also helped in many other ways. Many of the photographs on our site were taken by Ashleigh Reddy.

Two inspirations for this conference were Ana Diaz Hernandez’ Facebook group Women of Color in Tech – Bay Area, and the wonderfully diverse San Francisco Lesbians Who Tech Summit.