Our History

A technology education nonprofit introducing underrepresented and underserved communities to multidisciplinary programs to pursue careers in technology with a specific focus on young women ages 8-22.

Representation Remains Significantly Low

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Representation in Tech: In 2022, Black women made up only about 1.7% of the tech workforce in the U.S., a very small percentage compared to other demographics, demonstrating the need for more equitable hiring practices and inclusion efforts.

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According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), Black women earned 2.9% of science and engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2019. Despite growth in enrollment, the representation remains significantly low in comparison to other demographics.

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Black women constitute around 2.5% of the overall STEM workforce in the U.S., reflecting the broader need for improved recruitment, retention, and support across all areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Lack of Representation

Founded in Indianapolis in 2015, The Next IT Girl was born from our founder Napiya’s journey as a techie-fashionista and recent computer science graduate. Upon starting her first tech job, she quickly realized the scarcity of women and people of color in STEM extended into the corporate world, where she was often the only Black woman on her team. Feeling a lack of community and support, Napiya sought to create a space where others like her could find fulfillment and belonging.

Personal Experience

From fashion to passion, Napiya’s extensive research led her to focus The Next IT Girl on empowering African-American, Black, and women of color aged 8-22. This decision stemmed from her personal experiences and the glaring underrepresentation she faced. While statistics on women in tech were concerning, the lack of racial diversity was even more striking. In an industry that develops inclusive solutions, the scarcity of representation stood out as a significant gap Napiya was determined to address by sharing her journey and inspiring others to become the next “IT Girl.”

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After a year of research and discovery, Napiya entered a local pitch competition in 2016 with just a logo and her story. She won, earning a startup grant, legal services, design marketing support, and access to an entrepreneurial network. With this victory, The Next IT Girl’s journey began!

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About us

We are a technology education nonprofit introducing underrepresented and underserved communities to multidisciplinary programs to pursue careers in technology with a specific focus on young women ages 8-22.

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