Learning Through Building the Black Python Devs Community
Aug 9, 2024
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Jay Miller, a passionate advocate for increasing representation of Black developers in the Python community, discusses the formation of Black Python Devs. He shares insights from attending conferences that sparked the community's creation and the importance of collaboration. Jay addresses the challenges of sharing responsibilities as membership grew and the advantages of partnering with nonprofit organizations. The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement and the unique hurdles faced in promoting equity and diversity in tech.
The formation of Black Python Devs aims to enhance representation for Black developers in the Python community, fostering a sense of belonging and participation.
Jay Miller discusses the challenges of sharing responsibilities in community initiatives, emphasizing the importance of trust and collaboration for sustainable growth.
Partnering with organizations like the Gnome Foundation provides crucial support and resources for Black Python devs, boosting their capacity for growth and outreach.
Deep dives
Building Community for Black Python Developers
The episode highlights the initiative to create a welcoming community for Black Python developers, emphasizing the importance of representation within the tech space. Jay Miller discusses his own experience attending conferences and recognizing the lack of diversity, which led to the desire to form a supportive network. The introduction of Black Python devs emerged alongside their PyCon 2024 keynote presentation, where community members shared their personal stories and challenges. This effort focused on not just gathering people, but fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging active participation in the Python community.
Navigating Shared Responsibilities
The podcast delves into the complexities of sharing responsibilities within community initiatives, as discussed by Jay Miller. Miller notes that allowing others to take ownership can be challenging yet essential for sustainability. He reflects on past experiences where he found it difficult to let go of control over projects, which ultimately hindered growth and collaboration. Emphasizing trust in fellow community members, Miller advocates for an inclusive approach where everyone can contribute and share the workload.
Advantages of Nonprofit Partnerships
Miller explains the strategic benefits of partnering with nonprofit organizations for community growth initiatives. Collaborating with established nonprofits provides structural support, enabling new organizations to leverage existing resources without the heavy administrative burden. The partnership with the Gennone Foundation, for example, allows Black Python devs to operate under their umbrella and enhances their capacity to raise funds and draw support. This relationship exemplifies how nonprofits can facilitate community efforts while providing a network of credibility and assistance.
Empowering Members Through Education
A significant focus discussed is the value of providing educational opportunities for community members. Jay emphasizes the need for resources that support learning and skill development among budding Black Python developers. Initiatives like workshops and mentorship programs are crucial for empowering individuals and bridging the knowledge gaps in the tech industry. By fostering an environment of continuous learning, the community aims to help its members gain confidence and succeed in their programming careers.
Expanding the Reach of Black Python Developers
The conversation highlights the rapid growth and expansion of the Black Python devs, with an increase in membership from 10 to over 600 individuals. Miller shares the excitement of connecting with members from diverse regions, including Africa, and how their efforts reflect a collective ambition to enhance representation in the tech community. This growth illustrates not only the demand for such a support network but also the effectiveness of grassroots efforts in uniting developers around shared goals. By creating a space that prioritizes accessibility and equity, Black Python devs continue to inspire and engage new talent in Python development.
What hurdles must be cleared when starting an international organization? How do you empower others in a community by sharing responsibilities? This week on the show, we speak with Jay Miller about Black Python Devs.
Jay shares how the idea of forming a community began through attending conferences. They wanted to welcome more black developers into the Python community. We discuss the introduction of Black Python Devs as part of their PyCon 2024 keynote presentation.
Jay explains working with a few key people to build the group’s foundations. They talk about the difficulty of letting other people share in the responsibilities and ownership as the membership grew. We also discuss the advantages of partnering with a non-profit organization.
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Topics:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:50 – PyCon 2024 Keynote
00:06:02 – New role at Aiven
00:11:32 – Nobody knows what Dev Rel is
00:19:43 – Podcasting about productivity
00:24:12 – Sponsor: InfluxData
00:24:57 – Starting Black Python Devs
00:33:11 – Distinct perspectives and problems
00:37:10 – Partnering with Gnome Foundation
00:40:31 – What were hurdles in starting Black Python Devs?
00:45:31 – Video Course Spotlight
00:47:01 – What do you wish you knew before you started?
00:50:56 – What’s your latest win?
00:53:28 – Helping people prepare for jobs and new roles
00:58:03 – What’s your call to action?
01:00:26 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?
01:03:48 – How do you stay motivated to keep learning Python?
01:06:19 – What do you want to learn next?
01:09:02 – How can people follow your work online?