1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,580 All right, so welcome to another deep dive and today 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:12,700 We're gonna unpack a story. Okay the story of Ida Byrd-Hill, right and she's an entrepreneur. Yes, but she is 3 00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:15,740 Really, I think on a mission 4 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:18,140 to boost optimism and 5 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,560 Economic empowerment. Yeah in the black community interesting and she's using tech to do it 6 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:29,340 It's fascinating, you know because one of our sources points to like this concerning trend 7 00:00:29,700 --> 00:00:36,660 declining optimism within the black community and that's fueled by anxieties about like civil rights and economic inequality 8 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,800 That makes a lot of sense, but against this backdrop 9 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:46,280 Yeah, we have Ida Byrd-Hill like forging ahead with this unwavering belief right in a tech driven future 10 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:50,720 It's like she's staring down all of these like huge societal challenges and saying no 11 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:55,080 We're gonna build a better future anyway, right? So who is she? Yeah, who is what makes her tick? 12 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:59,560 Yeah, well her story begins in a public housing project in Flint, Michigan 13 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:07,240 Oh, wow and she faced academic hurdles early on even earning at a point five GPA at the University in Michigan 14 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:14,560 Oh my goodness, can you imagine? Wow the grit it took to not just graduate right, but eventually become the CEO of 15 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:16,520 Automation Worksz 16 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:21,080 Tech reskilling for yeah, it really speaks volumes about her resilience, right? 17 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,720 You know, she didn't just overcome those academic setbacks, but she also 18 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:30,200 Persevered through personal tragedies like divorce and the loss of her daughter 19 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:36,960 Oh, wow to emerge from all of that. Yeah, CEO. I mean it sets the stage for her even 20 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:44,960 Grander mission right to empower the black community through technology. Okay, so she's clearly like this force of nature 21 00:01:44,960 --> 00:01:49,880 Yeah, but what exactly is she doing? Mm-hmm. Enter since I wise, okay? 22 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:55,840 It's this AI powered app that she developed interesting think of it as like a personal tech skills coach 23 00:01:56,040 --> 00:02:01,920 Okay, right in your pocket. Wow and it focuses on something. Yeah, most people might not think is crucial 24 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:05,320 Oh, really algorithm building. That's where it gets interesting. Yeah algorithms 25 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:13,840 Right are essentially the recipes computers follow right there are the backbone of everything really from social media feeds to self-driving cars 26 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:19,320 Wow, Byrd-Hill recognizes that understanding algorithms isn't just about coding, right? 27 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:24,600 It's about understanding the very logic that shapes our digital world. Oh, that's deep. Yeah 28 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:29,560 So it's deeper than just like getting a tech job. It's about giving people the tools 29 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:37,400 To understand and even shape the technology that impacts their lives exactly and this ties into a critical point from our sources 30 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,680 Okay, one report highlights how black buying power has skyrocketed 31 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:48,320 Yeah, reaching 1.7 trillion dollars in 2020. Wow, that's bigger than Canada's entire economy 32 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:54,840 It's huge yet despite this economic force right black Americans only hold about 7% of higher paying tech jobs 33 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:59,760 There's a huge disconnect there is so there's this massive economic potential 34 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:05,440 Yeah, but a lack of representation right in the very industry. Uh-huh that's shaping the future 35 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:09,560 Yeah, Byrd-Hill sees that gap and she's like we need to change this 36 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:16,240 Yeah, but how does since I wise actually address this right beyond just teaching algorithm? Yeah, what makes it unique? 37 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:17,960 What makes it special? 38 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:24,480 What makes it special? Well first yeah, it's AI powered meaning it adapts to each user's learning style 39 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,840 Okay, see second it focuses on practical skills 40 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:34,680 Directly applicable to real-world tech jobs cool and third it fosters a community of learners 41 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:43,560 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 42 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:48,040 Okay, so she's tackling this from multiple angles. Yeah, and you mentioned this earlier 43 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:52,640 One of our sources points to declining optimism in the black community, right? 44 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:57,400 How does all of this connect back to that? That's a good question. Is bird hill just being like? 45 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:04,520 Unrealistically positive right or is there a deeper strategy here? I think it's more nuanced than simple optimism 46 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:11,040 Okay, she's acknowledging the challenges head-on, but she's choosing to focus on solutions solutions oriented 47 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:17,320 Remember that less than qualified trope we talked about. Yeah, it's often used to undermine minority achievements 48 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:22,560 Right Byrd-Hill is tackling that head-on by saying look we have the potential 49 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:27,880 We have the economic power and now we're building the tools to seize the opportunities in tech 50 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,960 So it's not just about tech skills. Yeah, it's about flipping the script 51 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:39,200 Yeah, it's about saying we are builders. We are innovators, and we are shaping the future. That's a powerful statement 52 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:43,920 I'm starting to understand why her story resonates with so many people. It's a powerful message 53 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:49,200 It is and what's even more compelling is that she's not just talking about it, right? 54 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,700 She's providing a tangible pathway to 55 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:57,960 Empowerment yeah through sense-side wise. It's like she's saying here the tools now. Let's build something amazing together 56 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,760 Exactly. I think Byrd-Hill's story is like a powerful reminder 57 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:07,000 Yeah, that while like there are all of these systemic issues that we need to address 58 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:09,160 There are also these tangible 59 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,680 Actions we can take right now totally to empower ourselves 60 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,440 It's like she's saying 61 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:21,080 Let's not wait for permission. Yeah, or for someone else to fix it, right? 62 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,960 Let's just take control of our own destiny absolutely starting with technology 63 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:31,360 But I think it's also important to acknowledge. Yeah, not everyone has the same starting point, right? 64 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:38,840 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 65 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:44,240 Yeah, and that's a valid concern. Yeah touches on like the very anxieties. Yeah that 66 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:52,000 Contribute to the declining optimism that our sources highlight. Yeah, feeling locked out of opportunities can be incredibly 67 00:05:52,000 --> 00:06:00,120 Discouraging of course, but what's so compelling about bird hills story? Yeah, is that she directly challenges those feelings of 68 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:08,160 Inadequacy totally she's like a living breathing example of what's possible when you refuse to let those limitations define you 69 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:10,760 Okay, so for those who are feeling stuck 70 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:16,480 Maybe even intimidated by the tech world. Yeah, what's bird hills message to them, right? 71 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:22,080 How do we shift from feeling overwhelmed to taking those first steps? Yeah, how do we go from overwhelmed to? 72 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:28,000 Empowerment towards empowerment exactly. I think one of the key takeaways from her approach 73 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:34,800 Mm-hmm is this emphasis on breaking down those seemingly insurmountable barriers? Okay into smaller? 74 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:41,120 Yeah, manageable steps, right? White-sized pieces remember she started with a point five GPA 75 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:48,880 I know it's hard to believe she didn't magically transform into a tech CEO overnight. There was this process of learning failing 76 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,600 adapting and most importantly 77 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,640 Persisting so it's about focusing on progress. Yeah, not perfection. Yeah, right? 78 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:03,960 It's about embracing the journey even with its inevitable bumps along the way. Absolutely, but how does that translate into concrete action? 79 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,880 Yeah, what does that first step look like right for someone who's completely new to tech? 80 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:12,280 So as we wrap up this deep dive, okay, let's bring it back to Ida Burt Hill 81 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,400 What's the one thing you hope listeners take away from her story? 82 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:21,400 That no matter your background. Yeah, your starting point or the challenges you've faced, right? 83 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:23,640 You have the power to shape your own future 84 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:31,480 I love that and technology can be an incredible tool for empowerment. Yeah for creating a more just and equitable world 85 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:37,200 It's a reminder that optimism isn't naive. Yeah, it's fuel. It is it's the belief in 86 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,760 impossibility right that drives progress 87 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,520 That empowers us to break down barriers and build something better 88 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,760 And who knows? Yeah, maybe the next Ida Burt Hill is listening right now 89 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,640 Take that first step into the world of tech 90 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:57,200 Yeah, and change the world if her story inspires you if you're feeling that spark of possibility 91 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:03,680 Yeah, don't let it fade nurture it nurture it explore it and take action. The future is waiting to be built 92 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:09,760 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 93 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:35,040 Oh, it was my pleasure. Thanks for having me.