Leading the Tech Caribbean Community
Based on an episode with with Janique-ka John 🇻🇨
Welcome to Latinx in Power, a podcast aiming to help to demystify tech, the way we do that is by interviewing Latinx and Caribbean leaders all over the world to hear their perspective and insights.
We talked with Janique-ka John (she/her) is a Software Engineer who discovered programming while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Applied Computer Science. Janique-ka is also the Founder of the Women in Tech Caribbean Community, where she advocates for greater diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
In this episode, we’ll discuss Janique-ka’s upbringing and how she fell in love with computing. We’re going to talk about her motivation for starting the Women in Tech Caribbean Community, and the challenges she faced promoting diversity in the tech industry.
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Could you tell us more about your upbringing and how it influenced your love for computers and computing?
I’m from a group of islands in the Caribbean called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s actually a collection of 32 islands that form a single country. My father was involved in computers and taught computer classes, so I used to accompany him while he taught. I was exposed to computers from a young age, although they arrived a bit late in Saint Vincent. It took some time for them to become mainstream, but thanks to my father teaching these classes, I had early exposure as a Vincentian and spent a lot of time with computers.
Interestingly, despite being seen by others as the “techie girl” or the girl who was into computers, I didn’t really see myself fitting into the tech world for a long time. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, even at ages 12 or 15, I always said I wanted to be a scientist. I thought I would pursue something in biology or physics because I had a great interest in physics as well. That’s how my roots in technology began and how I was exposed at a young age.
Books played a role in shaping my desire to become a scientist. I would explore encyclopedias, and my mom would introduce me to various books. I also enjoyed shows like “The Magic School Bus,” which I watched a lot as a child. Ms. Frizzle, the science teacher in that show, was particularly inspiring.
How did you feel connected with Latin America?
It’s a complex question, especially considering the Caribbean’s close proximity to what people generally associate with Latin America. Latin America is often associated with Spanish or even Portuguese, while my country is English-speaking. However, there is a group that includes both Latin America and the Caribbean. Consequently, many studies and even something as trivial as our cable television cater to Latin America.
To answer your question, for a significant part of my upbringing, I didn’t feel any connection to Latin America, mostly due to our English language and heavy consumption of American content. However, my perspective shifted while I was at the University of the West Indies, where I realized the interconnectedness of our region and the shared history we have.
I had a roommate from Belize who was incredibly kind and introduced me to various foods she grew up with. She would make tortillas from scratch and prepare other delicious dishes. At that time, during my university years, I often wondered about her connection to being Caribbean or Latin. She responded by saying, “I think I’m both.” It’s important to note that she identifies as ethnically black. She explained that she connected with aspects of the English-speaking Caribbean beyond just food and songs, but also found strong connections to the Spanish-speaking side.
This was my first realization that, particularly in our region, many of us share common roots. Our countries were shaped by our shared history of slavery and colonization, which resulted in specific divisions. While we now have strong attachments to these divisions, some are artificial. Some of us ended up speaking Spanish, French, and other languages, but our history and background are similar. As I grow older, I discover more connections and similarities, including certain foods referred to differently in various languages but being essentially the same. It’s a complex question and a complex topic.
During the pandemic, I actually started a Twitter space called Caribbean Link-Up. It was a unique initiative where we had individuals fluent in the three most common languages in the Caribbean: English, French, and Spanish (representing the Dominican Republic). We would translate everything shared into different languages, creating a meeting point for Caribbean and Latin American people from diverse backgrounds. It allowed us to exchange experiences and knowledge. People felt comfortable enough to ask questions they may have hesitated to ask before, for fear of appearing ignorant. For instance, a Spanish-speaking person might ask about cultural practices for birthdays. Caribbean Link-Up was a truly fascinating endeavor, and I hope it can continue on a larger scale because, as you mentioned, language can be a barrier to our integration. It’s something we should work on.
What inspired you to start a Women in Tech Caribbean Community and how it evolved from the beginning?
I actually started Women in Tech Caribbean after I moved to Europe. Although I mentioned that I’m from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, I am currently based in Brussels. While in Brussels, I took the opportunity to attend numerous conferences and events, particularly those focused on women, such as Women’s Day events. As people realized my interest in these events, they started sending me more opportunities, including scholarships and invitations to attend. Additionally, I would come across general opportunities while attending these events.
With the overwhelming amount of opportunities I encountered, I began searching for a platform to share them but couldn’t find one that suited my needs. While there were existing communities, many of them were general tech communities that were predominantly male-oriented. Moreover, sharing women-only opportunities in such general communities often received negative responses. I was taken aback when, for instance, I shared a scholarship for women in one of those communities and received comments questioning why there weren’t opportunities for men. It didn’t feel like a safe space to share.
Eventually, I realized that if I couldn’t find the space I was looking for, perhaps I should create it myself. Initially, I envisioned a small group of around 20 Caribbean women working in tech, where I could share links and opportunities. However, our community has now grown to include over 300 Caribbean women from all around the world. Some members reside in the Caribbean while others live elsewhere. We connect with one another, share opportunities within a safe space, and engage in discussions about our experiences and aspirations. That’s how I came to establish the community — I searched for a space, but couldn’t find one, so I took the initiative to create it.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you faced in promoting greater diversity, inclusion in the tech industry?
Honestly, at the beginning, I faced unexpected negative pushback from people in the Caribbean when I started Women in Tech Caribbean, especially from men in this space. They claimed that such an initiative wasn’t needed in the Caribbean, asserting that things were different there. While it is true that being a woman in the Caribbean studying and working in tech may come with different experiences compared to the global context, where certain fields are male-dominated, it doesn’t discount the fact that it can still feel isolating worldwide. Many Caribbean individuals, including myself, work outside of our home countries, often in larger countries where we may be the only woman on our tech teams. Being able to connect with other Caribbean women, without having to explain certain experiences or challenges upfront, is incredibly important.
I also believe that using the uniqueness of our makeup in the Caribbean as an excuse is unfounded. During my studies at the University of the West Indies, I encountered comments and questions about pursuing computer science. I recall a remark from someone at the university, mentioning that while the faculty had many women, my field of study was one of the few areas with more men than women. Therefore, although we have different issues and areas of focus, it doesn’t diminish the need for safe spaces and attention to be given to women of Caribbean descent working in tech, both within and outside the Caribbean.
The surprise negative response was offset by the support I received from friends and family, which enabled me to proceed with the initiative. However, as I embarked on this journey, I realized the significant amount of work involved. Initially, I thought it would be a small group, perhaps a maximum of 10 Caribbean women working in tech. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We are everywhere, even in prominent companies, and there are countless individuals with incredible ideas. At one point, I realized that Women in Tech Caribbean could be a full-time job. Thus, one of the challenges is finding a balance between the work we want to accomplish, driving positive change, and my actual full-time job. I am genuinely pleased with the progress made so far.
What do you think are the most important skills for a software engineer to have in today’s fast phase and constantly evolving tech landscape?
As a software engineer, I believe that one of the most crucial skills is the ability to learn, stay flexible, and remain open-minded. This field is incredibly fast-paced, with constant changes. AI, for example, resurfaces in waves every few years. It has been a topic of discussion for a while, but the recent surge in generative AI, its popularity, and accessibility have truly changed the landscape. As programmers and software engineers, it’s important for us to be adaptable and embrace new technologies.
I often advise my fellow programmer friends to recognize the value of their current skills. For instance, in my current role, I work with the front-end and React, a widely used framework. However, we can’t assume that React will remain dominant forever. In the next five years, it could be replaced by something new. Therefore, we need to be open-minded, willing to learn, and embrace emerging technologies. Nevertheless, I believe that focusing on computer science fundamentals is essential. These fundamentals provide a solid foundation that remains applicable across various programming languages, problems we encounter daily, and different scenarios. By staying connected to our core fundamentals, we can apply them effectively in diverse situations. Thus, the ability to learn and adapt is the primary skill I emphasize.
You raised a valid point about feeling overwhelmed and experiencing tech fatigue by being pulled in too many directions. It’s important to keep a balanced approach, staying informed without becoming consumed by every trend. Not everything that emerges will be a game-changer, but it’s also unhelpful to approach new developments with a negative attitude from the start. Instead, it’s crucial to remain curious, observe what emerges, and be open to possibilities. Some innovations may endure, while others may fade away. Keeping an eye on developments with a sense of curiosity is key.
What are your future career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
My current career goal is quite risky. While working full-time as a front-end engineer, I have aspirations to launch a startup. I don’t have extensive knowledge about the startup world, but I already have a prototype and a few individuals testing an iOS application that I have been building for the past three years. Taking this leap is a significant decision, and I am well aware that it comes with both the potential for success and the possibility of failure. It’s not something that can be perfectly calculated or determined by a flawless algorithm. However, I believe that networking is crucial for increasing the chances of success.
I am a strong advocate for networking. Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who mentioned that she had never applied for a job in her life. While I have applied for jobs in the past, the point she was making resonated with me. Excellent networking skills can be immensely valuable. I have observed that much of what I learn and retain comes from interacting with individuals who possess knowledge and experience in specific areas. This is one of the reasons why I have so much faith in the value of Women in Tech Caribbean. I intend to apply the same networking principles to the launch of my startup.
By staying connected with people, learning from them, and reading materials written by those who have been involved in this space, I hope to acquire as much knowledge as possible along the way. In addition to this startup endeavor, my career goal is to continue expanding my understanding of software engineering. I have a genuine passion for programming and thoroughly enjoy the process of creating things. It feels almost magical to transform an idea into existence using my fingers, research, and the collective knowledge of others. This is my current aspiration.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in tech?
Absolutely, as I mentioned, finding community and building a network is crucial. There is a significant dropout rate of women in tech, even in the Caribbean. Many women and girls may start studying tech, but the percentage of those who continue and stay in the field is alarmingly low. Often, this stems from feelings of isolation, a sense of not being understood, or a lack of belonging. It can be challenging when you don’t feel like you fit into a particular space. However, having a community can make a significant difference.
I thoroughly enjoy attending tech conferences in general, but I find particular value in women-focused tech conferences. It’s at these events that I realize there are so many of us, and it makes me feel less alone. On a day-to-day basis, it’s not easy because I don’t work with many women who are programmers. However, when I attend these conferences and witness hundreds of women from different backgrounds, making their mark in various ways, it gives me renewed energy to continue in this field. Therefore, my message to anyone listening or those who know someone in need is to help them find a community. Explore the available communities and connect them with like-minded individuals. Encourage them to engage with more people who share similar experiences and aspirations.
Which resource helped you in your journey?
When it comes to being a front-end developer, I found LinkedIn Learning to be extremely valuable. They offer specific and concise bite-sized videos that focus on targeted needs. While they may not provide in-depth content, they helped me get a broad overview of the skills I needed. From there, I would tinker around, learn on the job, and conduct additional research on my own. This approach worked well for me, especially considering the topic of feeling overwhelmed. In contrast, larger courses on platforms like Udemy would often have hours of content, which made it difficult for me to complete them.
Books have also been a significant resource for me, particularly tech books. I enjoy reading tech books, especially older ones. It’s fascinating to discover that some of the concepts, beliefs, and paradigms we follow today have been around for many years. Classic books like “The Pragmatic Programmer” provide insights into these timeless paradigms. By exploring older paradigms, you realize that many of the “newer” ideas are actually built upon the foundations laid by those who started programming and the field itself.
Lastly, but not to sound repetitive, community is essential. There are numerous resources and paths one can follow, and it can be overwhelming to navigate alone. Personally, I’ve found that speaking with individuals who have already walked a certain path can provide a concise roadmap of their experiences. While their roadmap may not work exactly the same way for everyone, it serves as a valuable starting point, offering tried and true methods.
Moreover, simply talking to people can yield unexpected discoveries. For instance, I had a conversation with a colleague at work who mentioned that he would be working on TypeScript exercises over the weekend. He shared a website on GitHub that offers basic TypeScript exercises and even recommended the most useful paths. This conversation led me to a new resource and the opportunity to sharpen my TypeScript skills.
Once again, community proves to be invaluable for various reasons. Staying connected with people who are already walking the path allows for continuous learning. Personally, I thrive in environments where I may not be the most knowledgeable person in the room. This enables me to absorb a wealth of information from others, making it my favorite type of space to be in.
I hope you enjoyed the podcast. We will have more interviews with amazing Latinx leaders the first Tuesday of every month. Check out our website Latinx In Power to hear more. Don’t forget to share comments and feedback, always with kindness. See you soon.
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Additional Reading Mentioned in the Interview
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiquekajohn/
https://twitter.com/JaniquekaJohn
https://www.instagram.com/JaniquekaJohn/
https://www.womenintechcaribbean.com/
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