Breaking Barriers in Tech: How PretaLab is Transforming Opportunities for Black Women

It's no secret that the tech world often looks very similar: mostly men, and mostly white. But this isn't by accident. Historically, racist and sexist systems have kept Black women out of tech.  

The black and brown population in Brazil is the largest, making up 55.5% of the country’s population. Yet, a study carried out by the Identities Institute of Brazil reveals that only 2% of black women hold leadership positions in technology companies - and 70% of them claim to have suffered some type of racial discrimination in their careers. 

Things like unequal access to good education have made it even harder for them to break into this field.  

Silvana Bahia, founder of PretaLab and Ashoka Fellow, puts it powerfully: “Being a black woman in Brazil is to have an experience marked by challenges where inequalities are evident in different aspects — from work to health, from education to violence, to various fields of life. Structural racism and machismo overlap, creating a thousand barriers that mark the way we live in society in a unique way.” 

Engineers, scientists and other professionals who create technologies bring with them their own experiences, perspectives and prejudices, which directly influence the final product.  When technology is created by people from similar backgrounds, they may overlook the diverse needs and experiences of its users. This can result in technology that unintentionally reinforces inequality. 

Consequently, the lack of black female representation in technology research and development in Brazil hurts everyone, not just Black women, because it means missing out on different perspectives and ideas that could make technology better and fairer. 

That's where PretaLab comes in. PretaLab is an initiative focused on helping Black women get into the tech industry. It's a network of hundreds of women, all of which identify as black or brown. They offer things like technical training, soft skills development, career planning, networking opportunities or connections to job openings.  

And it's making a real difference.

Over 80% of the 1,300 women involved say PretaLab has changed their lives. Participants gain valuable skills, connect with others, and become more ambitious about their careers. In fact, 42% of the women who responded to the impact survey found a job they were interested in through PretaLab's network.  

For many, it's a complete turning point, both professionally and personally. 

One participant shared her insights: “Generally, what is offered, in terms of education, are professional courses focused on aesthetics, manicure, hairdressing, baking – sectors that will keep our economic standard at the same level, on a minimum wage. This does not provide our families with better financial stability.” 

PretaLab offers a chance to see and access opportunities in tech that are often hidden from them. 

The impact goes beyond just jobs. Almost half of the women report feeling a stronger sense of community and a desire to support others. They build strong friendships and create their own support systems. As Silvana says, “Beyond the challenges, being a black woman in Brazil also means being resilient, creative, resistant, among many other things.” PretaLab helps these women tap into their strengths and build a better future. 

The multiplier effect 

PretaLab's influence keeps growing. More and more women are joining each year, and many even come back to teach.  Many participants now want to help others get into tech and even start their own projects to fight inequality. 

So, what's the ultimate goal for PretaLab?  

“It's to reach a point where Black women are significantly represented in all parts of the tech industry, from creating technology to leading companies, in numbers that reflect society itself. And where race and gender no longer prevent opportunities for this group,” explains Silvana, who’s work at PretaLab is partially supported by Lenovo and its global partnership with Ashoka.  

To make this a reality, big tech companies have a crucial role to play. They should actively support the development and inclusion of Black women in technology. Why? Because it leads to more innovative technology, reduces inequality, creates more job opportunities, and builds a fairer society overall. “Since big tech can sometimes worsen social problems, they also have the power and responsibility to be part of the solution,” concludes Silvana.  

*The insights, ideas and messages in this article have all been extracted and developed by humans. An AI assistant supported the writing.   

Ashoka and Lenovo are partnering to make technology a transformative force for positive change through social innovation, working closely with Ashoka Fellows from across the world. Learn more.