15 Years Later: Are We Still the Only Ones in the Room?
Dear Gentle Readers,
There are moments when something seemingly ordinary makes you stop and reflect.
Recently, my daughter attended a career fair in Frankfurt, where several pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology companies were showcasing their organisations and opportunities.
She was excited. She went with her friends, explored the different companies and had conversations about what the future might look like.
As a mother, I was excited for her too. We prepared beforehand. We reviewed her CV, talked about how to present herself, what to wear, her hairstyle and even discussed the little details that can make a difference when meeting potential employers.
But I gave her one additional assignment.
I told her: "When you get there, look around. I want you to pay attention to who is in the room. Are there other job seekers, employers who look like you? Are there other Black women?"
Why did I ask?
Because I know what it feels like to walk into those rooms.
Having lived and worked in Germany for many years, I still remember what those early career experiences felt like.
As a young immigrant, freshly graduated and trying to establish myself in a new country, attending a career fair meant something very different to me.
I wasn't simply exploring what was out there. I was looking for an opportunity. A breakthrough. A chance to get my foot in the door.
I would walk into those spaces thinking: Perhaps today is the day. Perhaps this is where I will meet someone who gives me my big break. Perhaps this is where everything starts to fall into place.
There was a different kind of urgency attached to those of my experiences. I was trying to find my feet, build a future and establish myself in a professional environment where I didn't always see people with similar backgrounds.
Fast forward almost 15 years, and my daughter is having her own experience.
When she returned, I asked her about the career fair, the companies she had spoken to and, of course, my little assignment.
Her response?
"Mum, I was the only Black woman there. There were maybe two other Black men, but I didn't see another Black woman."
I paused.
Almost 15 years later, and that familiar observation was still there.
Of course, one career fair cannot tell us everything about representation across an entire industry. But it certainly brought back memories and made me reflect on how much has changed, and how much still needs to change.
What struck me most was the difference in our starting points.
For her, it was an opportunity to explore possibilities. For me, it was an opportunity to change my circumstances.
Different generations, different experiences, but not as different a reality as I had hoped.
I don't believe every room needs to look like us. And I certainly don't believe that being surrounded by people who share our backgrounds is a prerequisite for success.
But I understand the importance of representation.
It is one thing to be told that opportunities are available to everyone. It is another to walk into a professional environment and see people who look like you, doing the things you aspire to do.
Representation makes possibilities visible.
It challenges the assumptions we sometimes unconsciously make about who belongs in certain industries, who gets to lead, who gets to innovate and who gets to shape the future.
And it matters at different stages of our journeys.
For someone starting their career, seeing a Black woman in a leadership position might be the reassurance they need to aim higher.
For someone navigating a career transition, meeting another woman who has successfully made that move might provide the encouragement to take the next step.
And for those already established in their careers, visibility is an opportunity to share experiences, open doors and make sure the next generation knows what is possible.
This is not about waiting for someone to invite us into the room. It is also about creating opportunities, building networks and making our presence visible.
This brings me back to something I have written about before: community.
In my September edition, I reflected on the uncomfortable middle of our professional journeys and how much difference it makes to have people around us who understand the nuances of navigating professional spaces.
My daughter's experience reminded me that this need does not disappear with time or professional experience. It simply evolves.
Community is not just about networking or collecting contacts. It is about having spaces where we can exchange knowledge, celebrate achievements, share opportunities and support one another.
It is about creating connections that go beyond a single event or conversation.
And this is one of the reasons I remain so passionate about the work we are doing at Black Women in Tech DACH e.V.
We want to build a community and a platform where Black women in technology across Germany, Austria and Switzerland can connect, learn, be visible and recognise one another's achievements.
A space where emerging talent can connect with experienced professionals, where ideas can be exchanged and where we can collectively contribute to shaping the future of technology.
Because sometimes, seeing someone who has walked a similar path can make all the difference.
As we prepare for our upcoming community gathering in Berlin on 20 November, these reflections feel particularly relevant.
Our theme, "Navigating What's Next: Career, Technology, Community," is about bringing these conversations into one room.
The technology landscape is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, professional roles are evolving, and the skills needed to navigate tomorrow's workplace are changing.
But alongside these conversations about technology and careers, we must also talk about connection, visibility and the importance of building communities that support us through change.
We are bringing together women from different career stages and professional backgrounds for an evening of conversations, insights, empowerment and networking.
And while the event is hosted by our community, we recognise the value of allies and everyone who believes in creating more inclusive professional spaces.
I hope you will join us - here
I keep thinking about my daughter's experience at that career fair.
I can't prevent her from walking into professional spaces and being the only one.... but I also want her to know that being the only one should never make her question whether she belongs.
And I want to believe that is part of what we are working towards- Not necessarily a world where we will never be minorities in certain rooms, but one where our presence is no longer be surprising, where our contributions are recognised and where the next generation has more visible examples of what is possible.
We may not be able to change every room overnight. But we can build communities, create connections and make sure that the women coming after us have people they can look up to and lean on.
That, to me, is the power of community.
I hope to see you in Berlin on 20 November. Let's connect, exchange ideas and continue building something meaningful together.
With gratitude,
Chioma
1. Vorsitzende📆 20 November 2026
📍 Berlin – In person
Navigating What's Next: Career, Technology, Community
Join us for an evening of conversations, inspiration, empowerment and meaningful connections.
Register - here