Underrepresented in Tech
Michelle Frechette
Underrepresented in Tech was designed and built with the goal of demystifying diversity. Fear of tokenization and awkwardness blocks many leaders from reaching out to diverse individuals. This roadblock prevents amazing people from finding amazing opportunities. We built this tool so that if you want to prioritize diversity, you can.
In our weekly podcast, creators Allie and Michelle discuss topics that are important to them as champions of diversity in the WordPress/tech community.
In our weekly podcast, creators Allie and Michelle discuss topics that are important to them as champions of diversity in the WordPress/tech community.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2023 • 29min
Coming Out As An Ally
In this episode, Allie and Michelle discuss "coming out." Typically referring to a queer person letting someone know they aren't straight for the first time. But in this episode, Allie and Michelle talk about the various ways people can come out in their lives. And how "coming out" as an ally is both different and similar to other types of coming out.
Oct 20, 2023 • 27min
The Cost of Being Underrepresented
In this episode Allie and Michelle discuss why and how it can be more expensive to live a life as a disabled person, a woman, a black person, etc. Catch a glimpse into the details of a life you may not be living and let's build empathy together!
Articles mentioned in this episode:
The Cost of Racism
Racial Bias in Medicine
Oct 10, 2023 • 29min
Believing Underrepresented People
When a marginalized person says that a situation is about race, gender, ableism, etc. it's your job as an ally to belive them! In this episode Allie and Michelle disucss this concept and the degree to which they agree with it.
Sep 28, 2023 • 35min
WP Includes (feat. Francesca Marano and Siobhan McKeown)
In this episode, Michelle chats with Francesca Marano and Siobhan McKeown about their new initiative, WP Includes, aimed at increasing the representation of womenin WordPress boardrooms and leadership. Learn more at: https://wpincludes.me/
Sep 22, 2023 • 37min
UIT Webinar & Brand Update
In this episode, Allie and Michelle chat about the highlights and memorable conversations they've had as a part of recording the Inclusive Webinar Series. They also touch updates and feelings on other parts of the brand.
Sep 15, 2023 • 32min
The Underrepresented Gender Team and More (feat. Anne McCarthy)
In this episode, Michelle talks with Anne McCarthy. Anne (she/they) works for Automattic as a sponsored contributor to the WordPress.org project, spearheading the FSE Outreach Program and participating on multiple release squads in various capacities. In this episode, the pair touch on what Anne is currently working on, including the blocks museum, how to contribute to a release squad, and the new Underrepresented Gender Team for WordPress 6.4.
Sep 11, 2023 • 28min
Yoast & Diversity (feat. Samah Nasr)
In this episode, Allie and Michelle sit down with Samah Nasr, who has worked at Yoast since 2018 as a Community Project Manager. Samah works closely with many of the Yoast community DEI effots, such as the Yoast Diversity Fund and Yoast Care Fund.
Aug 28, 2023 • 20min
People are Not Politics
When people point to social issues that affect many, we can often look at that as a political issue. This kind of thinking creates division where there doesn't need to be any. And overlooks the human beings at the center of these issues. In this episode Allie and Michelle look at a recent discussion relating to WordCamp 2023 as an example of unfairly and unjusutly politicizing and subsequently dehumanizing people at the core of important conversations.
Aug 17, 2023 • 28min
The Road to Speaking at WCUS (feat. Femi Lewis and Maestro Stevens)
In this episode, Allie and Michelle talk to Femi Lewis and Maestro Stevens, two upcoming speakers at WordCamp US. They discuss their speaking experience and their unique journeys seeing themselves represented (or not) in the community.
Femi Lewis's Website
Femi Lewis's Twitter
Maestro Stevens Wesite
Maestro Stevens LinkedIn
Femi'w WCUS Workshop
Maestro's WCUS Panel
BlackPress
Aug 11, 2023 • 24min
Preparing for WCUS as Introverts and Extroverts
Big events can be overwhelming emotionally for anyone. But sometimes it's useful to look at how to approach that overwhelm based on whether you are more of an introvert or extrovert. Allie and Michelle share their personal tips as an introvert and extrovert, respectively.
