LatinasIn Tech

An international organization is demonstrating that one must not have a tech career to be into tech, but a passion for it. Stacy Whitenight, of Dominican descent, is the president of the Charlotte Chapter of Latinas in Tech.

The non-profit organization has the mission to connect, support, and empower Latina women working in technology. According to its official website, the organization is composed of more than 25,000 women representing more than 15 countries.

“If we look at consumer data in the world, Latinos are the 5th largest GDP in the world! We are a powerful culture of consumers - we go to movies, we drive and use technology, we buy houses, go to school... and yet, we are nowhere near the board seats or executive roles making the decisions to drive this innovation or technology,” said Whitenight.

“Joining Latinas in Tech as a member - whether you are a Latina or an ally, means you are directly giving visibility to the gaps in the market that can and should be filled by the brilliant minds of Latinas. Joining Latinas in Tech NC as a partner means you are looking very seriously at how your organization looks at designing innovation,” she continued.

Whitenight joined the organization established in North Carolina in December and became the president. Before joining the North Carolina chapter, Whitenight was involved in outside chapters, but their distance made it difficult for her. “I officially joined last year, but before North Carolina I was looking to be part of the DC and Atlanta, but they were not really active in events, the closest one was in New York and that would have been a big commute,” said Whitenight.

The chapter held their first official kick off in Durham in January 2023. Whitenight said the North Carolina chapter was started thanks to the connections she made with other chapters and the help of her leadership team. “We wanted to be able to better serve larger metro communities, which is why our leadership team is in two hubs, Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham area.”

The North Carolina chapter went from zero members to 260 in the last month. The organization does various events throughout such as panels, worships, networking, hackathons and mentorship and coaching opportunities. All events are done with the goal of getting women closer to their tech passion.

According to Whitenight the organization is addressing a big representation issue in the tech workplace, one of the big reasons why she joined. “There has been a voice and experience completely missing around the tech industry. It is a lonely place to be as a Latina, working in tech. I wanted to be part of a community that was ready to fight to make sure these voices are being surfaced as we innovate in tech,” Whitenight said.

“This is a community that advocates to get each other in the door, at the decision-making tables, and really looking at the money moving around in the industry and trying to get more of it in the hands of Latinas. Latinas have a natural and organic way of building community, when you put the power and money in the hands of Latinas, we build things bigger and better for all to benefit. I want to help Latinas find the pathways that work for them to innovate, build, and connect in the North Carolina community,” she continued.

In a previous story about the North Carolina chapter Voyage Raleigh said according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology, only 1% of professional computing jobs are held by Latinas.

Whitenight said she has been able to balance her leadership position and full-time job with the people in her life that support her to keep going.

“I have a partner that supports the cause and helps balance it all. I have a great CEO in the organization that advocates and pushes me forward. I could also never do what I do without the help of my board,” said Whitenight.

Her goal? To grow the chapter and continue to inspire other tech Latinas to follow their dreams.

“Personally, my goal is to grow Latinas in Tech into an active network of Latinas and allies that open doors for each other. To create a space that amplifies and centers the Latina experience in tech and innovation. We don’t have that here or anywhere else in the world, and it is long overdue,” she said.