Happy Friday!

Happy Mother’s Day to all my mom techies out there!

Last week, Serena Williams, tech investor, owner of Serena Ventures, and thee GOAT, announced her second pregnancy draped in GUCCI at the Met Gala. I love following Serena’s motherhood journey and her evolution into motherhood because she isn’t the traditional mother nor is she having the “traditional” (whatever that is) motherhood experience. And personally, I’m all about that! You can read more about what I mean here….

As I reflect, approaching Mother’s Day this weekend, I know that I am beyond blessed in having two beautiful, healthy girls and two healthy deliveries that were without any complications. I know that I am having the motherhood and career experience that I want.

But that is not the case for so many Black moms who look like me. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventative [CDC], Black women in the United States are over three times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes”. Per the CDC, a lack of access to quality health care and structural racism are factors that contribute to these disparities, as well as implicit bias.

After watching her documentary, Becoming Serena, I was shocked to find out about her life-threatening complications while giving birth to Olympia and I immediately thought if this can happen to Serena Williams then it could happen to me. The sad reality is that it could happen to any of us and does happen to any of us far too often. So what’s being done about this?

Honestly, not enough! But, I found an article from John Hopkins that shares some actionable next steps on what can be done to combat the crisis.

• Mandatory job-protected paid parental leave (which is essential for healthy moms, babies, and communities) Black women are less likely to have access to paid leave through their jobs than white women, adding to their risk of the worst maternal health outcomes.

• Telehealth services to foster healthy pregnancies, allowing more Black women to video conference with doctors, check test results online, and remotely monitor health conditions

• Expanding access to midwives and doulas to assist Black mothers in their deliveries. Women who receive care from midwives are less likely to have a preterm birth, less likely to have a C-section, and more likely to breastfeed if they choose to

• Mandatory implicit basis training for all workers in the Obstetrics and labor delivery unit

If you’re interested in learning more about resources or advocacy for Black maternal health check out these links….. Black Maternal Health Crisis series, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, National Birth Equity Collaborative, Black Maternal Health Caucus

#ICYMI

Here’s what’s going on in tech this week according to Black women….

We are experts and should own it. Thanks  @marierocker-jones for giving us the reminder to pause and reflect on the value of our own contributions and expertise. “There is often an expectation for us to be gracious and appreciative of opportunities for "exposure" and "growth." - Read the rest here

7 Career Hacks To Propel Your Career Success - CNN Product Leader, Upasna Gautam, shares some actionable career tips for supercharging your career success

Use these fifteen interview questions to secure the offer at your next interview - #HIREBLACK shares answers to the top interview questions

Self-care and resilience for Black women while navigating the tech industry - Yes please! Nailah Jones wrote an amazing piece on how Black and Brown technologists can take better care of themselves

Stop sleeping on these three sections of your LinkedIn if you want recruiters in your DMs. Portia Obeng shared some invaluable LinkedIn profile update tips to wake up those profiles.

#FTW

Here’s a list of Bloomology-approved companies that are hiring this week #techistillhiring

Arrow Electronics is hiring an ERP Functional Analyst (remote)

Pluralsight is hiring a Growth Account Executive (Remote)

U.S. Bank is hiring an Instructional Designer (Remote)

#BTW

Today is always a great day to level up or upskill

Need a Free LinkedIn Profile Review - @Lydia Rhode Green is paying it forward with free reviews. Make sure you sign up here

Free Project Management skill-building resources from @Lydia Oshodi. She’s showing us how to become project managers without some an expensive bootcamp

Free Cyber Security courses courtesy of @lydia Oshodi

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