BIPOCIT (pronounced “bee-pocket”) is a non-profit organization that centers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the tech industry. It was co-founded by Lauren Dorman and me, Vanessa Aguilar. Our organization is dedicated to creating community spaces that focus on empowering and uplifting People of Color navigating their way through an industry that seems to have forgotten them.
Before it became an independent organization, we started as a private safer space within two of Europe’s largest web technology conferences: CSS & JS Conf EU. Over the course of the conferences, the “BIPOCIT Space” saw more than 125 participants, talks, and performances — all of which were created by and for People of Color. Many participants described it as the first time in their careers that they had felt seen, heard, and understood by everyone in the room. The space was filled with joy, trust, and compassion — a truly unforgettable experience for us all.
Following the conference, and after receiving an outpour of support, we realized the immense importance of spaces like these – spaces that remind you that you’re not alone. We knew we had to continue and established BIPOCIT in 2019. Today, we remain committed to cultivating spaces where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Tech are recognized, embraced, and celebrated — not only as individuals but also as a collective. Through this organization, we seek to continue challenging the status quo and continue the fight for representation and inclusion of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color everywhere.
If you would like to learn more about this initiative, bring a BIPOCIT space to a location near you, or simply provide your support, you can do so by:
- Becoming a Patreon
- Buying BIPOCIT a Ko-Fi
- Contributing via PayPal
- Following and sharing BIPOCIT on Twitter and Instagram.
Vanessa Aguilar is a developer at Ecosia. Ecosia believes in the importance of diversity and has pledged a regular financial contribution to support BIPOCIT and their mission.
