Code, Culture & Capital: How Black Women Are Winning In Tech

Black women are leading in tech, using AI to innovate and scale their businesses. (Credit: Surface/Unsplash)

This post was originally published on Defender Network

By ReShonda Tate

In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming everything from banking to baking, Black women entrepreneurs are making it clear—they’re not just participating in the tech revolution. 

They’re leading it.

Across Houston and beyond, Black women are rewriting the tech playbook, fusing code, culture and capital to build smarter businesses, elevate their brands and connect with customers in powerful, tech-driven ways. From using AI to generate marketing campaigns to automating customer service and streamlining operations, they show that embracing tech isn’t just optional—it’s essential.

But as Julie Smith, founder of lifestyle brand Champagne & Melanin™, warns: “AI is going the way of the World Wide Web. And just like the internet, Black communities risk being left behind if we don’t catch up—and fast.”

The State of Black Women in Tech

Despite being one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurs in the country, Black women remain underrepresented in the tech sector. A 2023 Kapor Foundation report found Black women make up less than 3% of the tech workforce, and even fewer are in decision-making or ownership roles.

But outside Silicon Valley boardrooms, a different story is unfolding.

Black women entrepreneurs are turning to tech tools not to get a seat at someone else’s table but to build their own. The driving force behind that movement is upskilling (when employees learn to expand their existing skill set).

“Upskilling is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” says Angelica Renee, founder of Cotoure Collection. “If you don’t know what AI is capable of, you won’t know how to apply it. But once you do? You can take back your time and redirect it into innovation and strategy.”

Busting the Job Loss Myth

One of the biggest fears surrounding artificial intelligence is that it’s coming for our jobs. But Black women tech leaders are flipping that narrative—and replacing fear with facts.

“The myth is that AI is going to take your job,” adds tech guru Michelle Mavins. “But the truth is, the people who don’t know AI will lose jobs to the people who do.”

Instead of viewing AI as the enemy, Mavins says it’s time to treat it like an intern you don’t have to train, pay, or micromanage.

“AI can’t replace your creativity, your culture or your connection to your customer. But it can replace repetitive tasks, late nights, and burnout,” Mavins said. “You’re still the boss. AI just helps you lead smarter.”

Raisha Smith agrees, adding that the goal isn’t to eliminate jobs—it’s to elevate them. 

Black communities risk being left behind if we don’t catch up—and fast.

Julie Griffith

“If you’re doing $20 tasks all day, how will you ever grow to make six or seven figures? AI helps you move from doing the work to directing the work,” Smith said.

So instead of fearing AI, entrepreneurs are encouraged to learn it, adapt it, and let it work for them, not against them.

“Any entrepreneur not embracing technology, especially AI, is setting themselves up for failure. AI is automating tasks, making agents’ lives easier and provisioning consumers with better service and information. Those who don’t adapt will struggle to compete,” Mavis said.

The bottom line, she adds: “AI isn’t your competition. It’s your co-pilot.”

AI Is the New Assistant: How Black Women Are Using Tech to Scale

Whether they’re in beauty, wellness, fashion or real estate, Black women are using AI to do more with less. These are a few of the tools they’re tapping into—and how:

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

  • Use Case: Content creation, email marketing, customer service scripting, business planning.
  • Example: “You can literally train ChatGPT to write in your brand voice,” says tech leader Raisha Smith, founder of EveryDopeGirl and a leader at Blacks at Microsoft. “That means if you’re launching a product, it can draft your press release, your captions, even your pitch to media—saving hours you can redirect to strategy or self-care.”

Gemini (Google)

  • Use Case: Real-time research, productivity tools, project brainstorming.
  • “I’ve used Gemini to draft internal reports, prep investor decks and build a curriculum outline for my coaching program,” says Angelica. “The ability to ask follow-up questions and get relevant, digestible information is game-changing.”

Grok (xAI / Twitter)

  • Use Case: Social media engagement and trend analysis.
  • Black women business owners are using Grok to better understand what their audiences are talking about—and when—to improve their content strategy and customer connection.

 Canva Magic Studio

  • Use Case: Visual branding, AI-generated social media graphics, video scripts.
  • “It’s like having an in-house creative team without the six-figure budget,” says Julie Smith.

Notion AI

  • Use Case: Project management, goal tracking, knowledge bases.
  • “I map out my entire week in Notion,” says Angelica. “From editorial calendars to client onboarding—it’s my brain outside my brain.”

 Zapier + Make.com

  • Use Case: Automating workflows.
  • “Why should you manually send confirmation emails when a tool can do that while you’re sleeping?” Raisha asks. “These tools free up bandwidth so you can focus on building.”

Microsoft Copilot

  • Use Case: Business insights and executive-level support tasks.
  • Raisha adds, “If you’re acting as your own CEO, COO and CMO, then AI is your secret weapon. It’s the team you didn’t know you could afford.”

Risks of Being Left Behind

For every founder embracing AI, others still feel intimidated or skeptical. That hesitation could be costly.

“Remember when Black businesses were slow to adapt to the internet? That gap hurt us,” warns Julie. “We can’t afford to be late again.”

The reality is that AI is no longer just a tech trend—it’s a business survival tool. Entrepreneurs who ignore it may find themselves outpaced by competitors who can move faster, smarter and cheaper.

But beyond efficiency, there’s something deeper at stake: representation.

“As Raisha explains, “These large language models are trained on how people speak and operate. If Black women aren’t using the tools, the tools won’t reflect us. We have to be in the room—even the digital one.”

Tech Is Transforming More Than Business

This revolution isn’t just about scaling profits. It’s about transforming lives.

For Black women balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and community work, AI is the silent partner that keeps the engine running.

“It’s freeing,” says Angelica. “Imagine having AI do your admin so you can focus on the next big idea—or just rest.”

Black women are planting their flags and rewriting the rules of success at the intersection of code, culture, and capital. With AI tools at their fingertips and a bold vision for the future, they’re not just adapting to the digital age—they’re defining it.

As Julie puts it: “This is our moment. But only if we take it.”

RESOURCES 

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship Lab. The Lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.

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