Tarika Barrett at InfoComm Orlando

If you’re not familiar with this amazing organization, and its leader, you need to be. It’s way beyond the limits of just our industry, and we could both learn from and benefit from the things they’re doing. (I first met Girls Who Code a couple years back at SXSW, and they’ve only grown and expanded since then, with coding camps and more at many events and venues.)

Dr. Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code, is on a mission to close the gender gap in tech and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like. Her first step on this ambitious mission is to empower the young women — especially those from minority backgrounds — to feel like they belong. In this talk, Dr. Barrett shines the light on the transformative power of learning spaces where women can collaborate to problem-solve, innovate, and envision themselves as leaders and, more importantly, equals in their fields. Speaking with a palpable passion, she inspires individuals to dream big and let go of their fears while emphasizing the importance of mentorship and outlining ways that organizations can advance their cultures to be more supportive of women, amplify their voices, and tear down systemic roadblocks that women so often encounter in the workplace.

Barrett is the keynote speaker at the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast, June 15^th, InfoComm 23 in Orlando. If you don’t have a ticket for this, well, it’s sold out. So try to wrangle some say-hi-in-the-hallway  – anything to at get a glimpse of the future.