Our Black in Tech series features the career path & advice from Black professionals in the tech industry. In this Q&A, Joan Baker, Online Event Producer at O'Reilly shares her story.
Where did you grow up and what were you like as a child? What did your parents do for work?
I grew up in the small town of Ruston located in the state of Louisiana. From an early age, I emerged as an outspoken and independent thinker, fostering a deep love for the great outdoors and cultivating my green thumb through childhood gardening adventures. Today, that passion for nature remains a vital part of my adult life. My favorite T-shirt that I own proudly bears the title “Garden Gangsta.”
In the backdrop of my upbringing, my father stood as a formidable figure, not only as the superintendent of Ruston Developmental School, but also as the vice-chancellor of student affairs at Grambling State University. He also went on to become the regional administrator of the Department of Health and Hospitals across eight parishes for the state of Louisiana.
Complementing this dynamic household was my mother, a dedicated educator who molded young minds through post-secondary education courses. Students adored her, and she taught a spectrum of subjects from fundamental keyboarding to the intricacies of word processing, introduction to computers, and business education.
I draw inspiration from the legacy of my parents, who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also instilled in me a commitment to staying true to my roots.
Where did you go to college? What did you do after graduating?
I had the incredible opportunity to graduate from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a place close to my heart. Southern University is an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). After completing my college journey, I ventured into post-college adventures that brought me to Houston, Texas. Here, I carried the role of national field manager at an early childhood technology company. I undertook the responsibility of integrating classrooms with cutting-edge tools such as computers, interactive whiteboards, and tablets, enriching the learning experience for young children. Driven by my passion for the field, I went on to pursue a master’s degree in technology management. I also met my wonderful husband, Bubba Baker, a Charleston, South Carolina native, and we currently have an energetic 6-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback rescue dog named Jojo.
What inspired you to get into the tech industry?
Tech is an evolving industry and I've always been fascinated by the power it has to solve complex problems and drive meaningful change. From an early age, I was drawn to the idea of being involved with innovative solutions that could make a positive impact on people's lives: working smarter! Witnessing the progress in the tech industry, I became inspired by the endless possibilities and the opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping the future.
Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as online event producer at O'Reilly?
At O’Reilly I am fortunate to collaborate with a diverse array of instructors covering topics spanning from "How to life-hack your day" to "Building your own cybersecurity lab and cyber range." In my role, I manage the lifecycle of virtual events. My day-to-day includes strategic event planning, collaboration with cross-functional teams and sponsors, technical setup oversight, providing guidance to speakers on utilizing our online platform, post-event analysis for continuous improvement, and offering technical support to our global audience during live events. Our live online events are innovative and constantly staying abreast of the latest trends in the virtual world. O'Reilly has presented a significant opportunity for collaboration on a variety of impactful projects.
What types of programs and initiatives does O'Reilly have that support diversity, equity, and inclusion?
O'Reilly is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion by extending inviting opportunities through their exclusive diversity scholarships. These scholarships are designed to actively encourage participation from underrepresented groups in various conferences and events hosted by O'Reilly. We focus on the tech and information industries, and these initiatives aim to amplify diversity and inclusivity.
What advice would you give to other Black professionals who are interested in joining the tech industry?
Code-switch with confidence! In the tech industry, just like in programming, diversity in languages leads to innovation. Embrace your unique syntax and debug any challenges with resilience. Remember, you're not just breaking code; you're breaking barriers!
