Tomi Akitunde

I’m a journalist and the founder of mater mea, a platform that celebrates, supports and empowers black moms through content and community.

It’s been hard, but I’m very privileged to be able to shelter in place comfortably.

In February, I thought I was pregnant. I wasn’t. It was very devastating.

My ideas of success before were very rooted in what I thought other people wanted of me rather than what I wanted.

I never had the luxury of not understanding my race and that it makes me a target for racism. It pervades every part of my life.

I’ve found ways to keep connections going, but it’s required me to be more intentional than I was pre-pandemic.

My advice to women in technology isn’t work related, it’s a wish that I have for myself: Make space to learn who you are outside of your work.