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Since I have the time today, it's time for a story. I've never worked for Google. Yet, I have a story to share. 
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A thread
 A thread
In 2016, I was approached by Google's Women Techmakers to collaborate on a resource that I built for women in tech. It had a map to help women find local communities in tech.
It was the beginnings of an idea that eventually turned into @DiversifyTechCo.
It was the beginnings of an idea that eventually turned into @DiversifyTechCo.
I had a call with one of the women who leads it. She asked me lots of questions about it and if I am willing to collaborate. I said yes.
She said she either wanted to hire me to help create a similar resource for them or build it themselves and give me credit for the idea.
She said she either wanted to hire me to help create a similar resource for them or build it themselves and give me credit for the idea.
I wasn't too fond of the idea of just getting credit. I either wanted to work on it or I wanted them to use what I had built already.
Anyway, I responded with my hourly rate. I never heard back. Then I forgot about it.
Anyway, I responded with my hourly rate. I never heard back. Then I forgot about it.
In 2018, after I gave birth to my little one & things settled down, I started working on the 1st version of @diversifytechco.
Right around that time, I found out that Google’s Women Techmakers replicated my resource. The left is what I built and the right side is what they made.
Right around that time, I found out that Google’s Women Techmakers replicated my resource. The left is what I built and the right side is what they made.
They did not hire me, nor give me credit…just launched their own version. I did not see that coming.
I thought we were collaborating not competing. I truly did not expect that from an organization with the purpose of supporting women in tech.
I thought we were collaborating not competing. I truly did not expect that from an organization with the purpose of supporting women in tech.
It upset me quite a bit. I felt betrayed. A white women in the guise of collaborating just used my idea without giving me any credit.
I felt disheartened. I thought of giving up on working on Diversify Tech. In the end, I decided to scrap that specific part and built it anyway.
I felt disheartened. I thought of giving up on working on Diversify Tech. In the end, I decided to scrap that specific part and built it anyway.
I checked recently and it looks like they removed that resource from their website too. Not sure why; maybe the guilt.
If you are about to say copying is a form of flattery, please stop. I'll take flattery in the form of credit and compensation.
I didn't have the courage to share this 2 years ago. I was a new mom. I was going through other struggles that took priority.
The project was also lead by a Black woman who I admire. She didn't know anything about the history and I didn't want to bring her into it.
The project was also lead by a Black woman who I admire. She didn't know anything about the history and I didn't want to bring her into it.
This is why I have a major mistrust of DEI communities run by white women.
It's like they forget what the main goal of DEI is. It is to creating an inclusive and equitable place for EVERY one including women of color like me.
It's like they forget what the main goal of DEI is. It is to creating an inclusive and equitable place for EVERY one including women of color like me.
If you are volunteering for Women Techmakers, know that it is part of Google. You are doing free diversity branding work for them. Do with that what you will.
I've received 2 or 3 emails from folks from Google to partner with Diversify Tech since it started gaining moment this year.
I was filled with too much rage to even respond. In case it's not clear, I will never work with Google.
I was filled with too much rage to even respond. In case it's not clear, I will never work with Google.
Well, this has been weighing me down for 4 years. I am glad to finally get this off my chest.
Thank you to all of the women founders who knew about this and supported me.
Thank you to all of the women founders who knew about this and supported me.
I appreciate the support, everyone! Thank you.
My kiddo is about to come home so going to switch into mom mode and will be offline.
My kiddo is about to come home so going to switch into mom mode and will be offline.
