All right, so welcome to another deep dive and today
We're gonna unpack a story. Okay the story of Ida Byrd-Hill, right and she's an entrepreneur. Yes, but she is
Really, I think on a mission
to boost optimism and
Economic empowerment. Yeah in the black community interesting and she's using tech to do it
It's fascinating, you know because one of our sources points to like this concerning trend
declining optimism within the black community and that's fueled by anxieties about like civil rights and economic inequality
That makes a lot of sense, but against this backdrop
Yeah, we have Ida Byrd-Hill like forging ahead with this unwavering belief right in a tech driven future
It's like she's staring down all of these like huge societal challenges and saying no
We're gonna build a better future anyway, right? So who is she? Yeah, who is what makes her tick?
Yeah, well her story begins in a public housing project in Flint, Michigan
Oh, wow and she faced academic hurdles early on even earning at a point five GPA at the University in Michigan
Oh my goodness, can you imagine? Wow the grit it took to not just graduate right, but eventually become the CEO of
Automation Worksz
Tech reskilling for yeah, it really speaks volumes about her resilience, right?
You know, she didn't just overcome those academic setbacks, but she also
Persevered through personal tragedies like divorce and the loss of her daughter
Oh, wow to emerge from all of that. Yeah, CEO. I mean it sets the stage for her even
Grander mission right to empower the black community through technology. Okay, so she's clearly like this force of nature
Yeah, but what exactly is she doing? Mm-hmm. Enter since I wise, okay?
It's this AI powered app that she developed interesting think of it as like a personal tech skills coach
Okay, right in your pocket. Wow and it focuses on something. Yeah, most people might not think is crucial
Oh, really algorithm building. That's where it gets interesting. Yeah algorithms
Right are essentially the recipes computers follow right there are the backbone of everything really from social media feeds to self-driving cars
Wow, Byrd-Hill recognizes that understanding algorithms isn't just about coding, right?
It's about understanding the very logic that shapes our digital world. Oh, that's deep. Yeah
So it's deeper than just like getting a tech job. It's about giving people the tools
To understand and even shape the technology that impacts their lives exactly and this ties into a critical point from our sources
Okay, one report highlights how black buying power has skyrocketed
Yeah, reaching 1.7 trillion dollars in 2020. Wow, that's bigger than Canada's entire economy
It's huge yet despite this economic force right black Americans only hold about 7% of higher paying tech jobs
There's a huge disconnect there is so there's this massive economic potential
Yeah, but a lack of representation right in the very industry. Uh-huh that's shaping the future
Yeah, Byrd-Hill sees that gap and she's like we need to change this
Yeah, but how does since I wise actually address this right beyond just teaching algorithm? Yeah, what makes it unique?
What makes it special?
What makes it special? Well first yeah, it's AI powered meaning it adapts to each user's learning style
Okay, see second it focuses on practical skills
Directly applicable to real-world tech jobs cool and third it fosters a community of learners
Oh, wow providing support and mentorship. So she's trying to create an ecosystem. She is she's really trying to create this ecosystem for success
Okay, so she's tackling this from multiple angles. Yeah, and you mentioned this earlier
One of our sources points to declining optimism in the black community, right?
How does all of this connect back to that? That's a good question. Is bird hill just being like?
Unrealistically positive right or is there a deeper strategy here? I think it's more nuanced than simple optimism
Okay, she's acknowledging the challenges head-on, but she's choosing to focus on solutions solutions oriented
Remember that less than qualified trope we talked about. Yeah, it's often used to undermine minority achievements
Right Byrd-Hill is tackling that head-on by saying look we have the potential
We have the economic power and now we're building the tools to seize the opportunities in tech
So it's not just about tech skills. Yeah, it's about flipping the script
Yeah, it's about saying we are builders. We are innovators, and we are shaping the future. That's a powerful statement
I'm starting to understand why her story resonates with so many people. It's a powerful message
It is and what's even more compelling is that she's not just talking about it, right?
She's providing a tangible pathway to
Empowerment yeah through sense-side wise. It's like she's saying here the tools now. Let's build something amazing together
Exactly. I think Byrd-Hill's story is like a powerful reminder
Yeah, that while like there are all of these systemic issues that we need to address
There are also these tangible
Actions we can take right now totally to empower ourselves
It's like she's saying
Let's not wait for permission. Yeah, or for someone else to fix it, right?
Let's just take control of our own destiny absolutely starting with technology
But I think it's also important to acknowledge. Yeah, not everyone has the same starting point, right?
Some folks might be thinking tech. Yeah, that's not for me. I don't have the background totally resources or maybe even the belief in myself
Yeah, and that's a valid concern. Yeah touches on like the very anxieties. Yeah that
Contribute to the declining optimism that our sources highlight. Yeah, feeling locked out of opportunities can be incredibly
Discouraging of course, but what's so compelling about bird hills story? Yeah, is that she directly challenges those feelings of
Inadequacy totally she's like a living breathing example of what's possible when you refuse to let those limitations define you
Okay, so for those who are feeling stuck
Maybe even intimidated by the tech world. Yeah, what's bird hills message to them, right?
How do we shift from feeling overwhelmed to taking those first steps? Yeah, how do we go from overwhelmed to?
Empowerment towards empowerment exactly. I think one of the key takeaways from her approach
Mm-hmm is this emphasis on breaking down those seemingly insurmountable barriers? Okay into smaller?
Yeah, manageable steps, right? White-sized pieces remember she started with a point five GPA
I know it's hard to believe she didn't magically transform into a tech CEO overnight. There was this process of learning failing
adapting and most importantly
Persisting so it's about focusing on progress. Yeah, not perfection. Yeah, right?
It's about embracing the journey even with its inevitable bumps along the way. Absolutely, but how does that translate into concrete action?
Yeah, what does that first step look like right for someone who's completely new to tech?
So as we wrap up this deep dive, okay, let's bring it back to Ida Burt Hill
What's the one thing you hope listeners take away from her story?
That no matter your background. Yeah, your starting point or the challenges you've faced, right?
You have the power to shape your own future
I love that and technology can be an incredible tool for empowerment. Yeah for creating a more just and equitable world
It's a reminder that optimism isn't naive. Yeah, it's fuel. It is it's the belief in
impossibility right that drives progress
That empowers us to break down barriers and build something better
And who knows? Yeah, maybe the next Ida Burt Hill is listening right now
Take that first step into the world of tech
Yeah, and change the world if her story inspires you if you're feeling that spark of possibility
Yeah, don't let it fade nurture it nurture it explore it and take action. The future is waiting to be built
I love it and you have a role to play. That is a perfect way to end this deep dive. Thank you so much for joining me
Oh, it was my pleasure. Thanks for having me.