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Personal Branding For African Women In Tech
March 28, 2025
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Branding Skills, Personal Branding
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Last Friday, I had the incredible opportunity to speak about branding with African Women In Tech – AWIT- and it was one of those moments that hit me right in the feels. I was surrounded by fearless, brilliant women who are not just talking about changing the game—they’re actually out there doing it. It was inspiring and, honestly, a little intimidating (but in a good way).
I spoke about something I’m super passionate about: Branding for Women in Tech. Because here’s the thing—so many women have these incredible, world-changing ideas, but they don’t always get the visibility or recognition they deserve. And that’s not because their ideas aren’t good enough. It’s because they aren’t seen, heard, or understood.
The Reality: Why Great Ideas Sometimes Fail
It’s not enough to just have a great idea in tech for good. You can build the most innovative solution, but if people don’t know about it, it’s like shouting into the void. Branding isn’t just a logo or a catchy slogan—it’s the story that shapes how people perceive you, your work, and your vision.
Here’s some quote I found on the internet that sums it up well:
“If you don’t give the market the story to talk about, they’ll define your brand’s story for you.”
– David Brier
And trust me, you don’t want other people defining your story. That’s how amazing tech ideas get misunderstood or overlooked.
Personal Branding Isn’t Bragging
Let’s be real—there’s this weird narrative out there that makes many women (myself included) feel like promoting our work is somehow boastful or arrogant. We’ve all been there, right? There’s that voice in the back of your head saying, “Just work hard, and people will notice.” Spoiler alert: They won’t.
I’ve been guilty of this too. There were times I’d work on a huge project, feel immensely proud of it, but then just quietly check it off my list like it was no big deal. I had to learn that sharing my achievements isn’t bragging—it’s giving my work the recognition it deserves. Plus, if I don’t talk about it, who will?
The Three Stories We Tell Ourselves (That Are Holding Us Back)
There are a few myths we often tell ourselves that make it harder to build our personal brands:
“It’s not okay to talk about your accomplishments.”
“You don’t need to talk about your work. Just keep your head down.”
“I’m just not the kind of person who self-promotes.”
Sound familiar? Yeah, I’ve been there too. But here’s the thing: these stories do nothing but hold us back. Branding is not about boasting—it’s about showing up. And if we don’t show up, we miss opportunities for growth, leadership, and change.
Why Personal Branding Matters in Tech
Women in tech already face enough barriers—cultural norms, unconscious bias, and gender stereotypes. Add to that the tendency to shy away from talking about our work, and we’re basically setting ourselves up to be overlooked.
Research shows that women are less likely to self-promote despite having equal (or better) performance outcomes compared to men. In a 2021 study, 82% of participants admitted to hiding a success from someone—often because they didn’t want to seem boastful.
So, how do we change this?
Tips to Leverage Personal Branding
Share Your Story (Without Feeling Like a Braggart)
Find a way that feels natural to you. It doesn’t have to be loud or flashy. Maybe it’s a LinkedIn post about what you learned during a challenging project. Maybe it’s sharing a win with your team. Start small.Think of Branding as Relationship Building
Branding is not just about you—it’s about building connections. The more people know about your work and your “why,” the more they’ll want to support you.Get Comfortable with Being Seen
Sometimes, we hide our success because we’re afraid of being judged. But remember: people who mind don’t matter, and people who matter don’t mind. Find your tribe—the people who genuinely want to see you succeed.Practice Talking About Your Wins
It’s a muscle that gets stronger with use. Talk to a friend, a mentor, or even your reflection (yes, really). Practice framing your achievements as part of a bigger story rather than a standalone boast.
Own Your Narrative
One of the biggest takeaways from the AWIT event was this: if we don’t own our stories, someone else will write them for us. Branding helps us shape the way we’re perceived—and that’s not just good for our careers, but for the tech industry as a whole.
Great ideas deserve to be seen. Your work deserves to be recognized. And your voice? It’s time to make it heard.
Let’s keep pushing boundaries, lifting each other up, and telling our stories.
Would love to hear from you—how have you been building your personal brand? Let’s talk!
Tags :
Branding for Tech, Live Speaking, Tech For Good, Women In Technology