February 28, 2023

Black Girls Tech Summit 2022: Our Impact

Impacting our community & helping them to achieve their career ambitions is why Girls Talk Corporation exists. So, following our Black Girls Tech Summit in London, Berlin and globally last year, we wanted to hear from our attendees three months on. So, we caught up with Rutendo Makumbe, who attended our Berlin summit in partnership with Zalando. 

Meet Rutendo 

Rutendo Makumbe from Zimbabwe is a language and culture enthusiast who has lived and worked in five countries on three continents. Rutendo’s work experience primarily includes digital marketing and client relations. 

Can you describe your career journey to date? 

I worked as a marketing assistant in China, and following that, I moved to Italy, where I studied and obtained a Master’s in Digital Marketing. I then moved back home to Zimbabwe, where I worked for three years as an Account Manager. In 2022 I relocated to Germany. I worked in Sales and Network Development for an international logistics tech company. However, I realised I needed to upskill to work in a tech role and couldn’t do that while working full-time. My passion lies in Marketing Technology (Martech) and Data Analytics. I’m freelancing as I focus on developing my tech skills through boot camps before I fully transition into tech. I’ve since learnt that the transition is not a change I can make overnight; it’s a process that will require a lot of hard work and some self-reflection.

The BGTS impact

What are your biggest challenges as a Black woman in tech?

Fortunately, I am still finding my way into tech. The underrepresentation of Black Women in tech roles has been one of the intimidating factors that held me back from wanting to pursue a career in tech. However, after my encounter with BGTS and Zalando Steps programme, I realised some organisations are advocating to increase the representation of women in tech. 

What did attending the Black Girls Tech Summit mean to you?

It meant finding a community and an open, comfortable space to discuss my aspirations. 

Can you share a meaningful learning from the summit?

A message that stuck with me from the summit was, “define your Queendom and tap into it.” It helped me recognise the opportunities before me. I gained knowledge from a network of women leading in tech. They shared their experiences and talked about best practices. I also gained insights into understanding the tech industry, and I am now in a better position to identify the right skills and tools I need to excel in tech. 

Career progression 

How did Girls Talk Corporation support you in getting accepted into the Zalando Stepz programme?

Girls Talk Corporation created the platform that opened doors for me to learn about the Zalando Stepz programme. The programme was launched at the inaugural BGTS I attended in Berlin. At the BGTS, the team at Girls Talk Cooperation introduced me to the Zalando team. I got the opportunity to network with recruiters and ask relevant questions to gain insights into what the programme entails. Getting accepted gave me the courage to pursue my passion, and I am grateful for that. Through this platform, I got to be mentored by people who have been through a similar journey, heard from experts, and learned from peers through shared experiences. Attending BGTS was only the beginning, and the journey continues!

With over 3100 women worldwide attending our 2022 Black Girl Tech Summit, we’re beyond proud of our impact and will continue to make in 2023 and beyond. Stay tuned to hear from more of our community and our big plans for this year.