Africans In Tech

Welcome back to another amazing episode of the Africans in Tech podcast, where we are building bridges 🌉 and shaping futures in tech! 🚀  Today, your co-hosts Queen Duncan and Sahr Lebbie are sitting down with the brilliant Dola Adesanya 👑, the Agentic AI Transformation Lead for Internal Business Operations at Google! ✨

From being a firstborn daughter navigating the "black tax" 💸 in Nigeria to leading global expansion, consulting at a Big Four firm 👔, surviving the fast-paced culture at Amazon 📦, and landing a massive role at Google 🖥️—Dola’s journey is an absolute masterclass! 🎓

In this episode, we slice through the AI hype ✂️ and dive deep into how Dola leverages her organizational psychology background 🧠 to design the hybrid human-agent workforces of tomorrow. Plus, she breaks down a practical matrix 📊 you can use today to leverage AI tools and make yourself completely indispensable in your career! 🔥

But we didn’t just talk shop! ☕ We chopped it up about the corporate art of navigating egos 🧭, the boundaries of being a calm Black woman in corporate America 🧘🏾‍♀️, why some "tech bros" lose their common sense when they hit a certain salary tier 💸, and her traditional views on marriage, peace, and what it truly means for a modern woman to "have it all!" 👑🤰🏾💼

👋 Welcome Back to the Africans in Tech Podcast!
What does it actually take to break into cybersecurity and hit a 6-figure salary in today's ultra-competitive market? 🤔💻

In this powerful episode, your hosts Sahr Lebbie and Queen Duncan sit down with Danny, the brilliant mind behind Cyber Sprint Academy. Danny drops absolute gems on everything from navigating the grueling tech job hunt to building private tech infrastructure back home in Africa. 🌍✨

From growing up in the Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 to dealing with massive culture shock in Frederick, Maryland with zero English skills, Danny’s story is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and pure execution. He reveals how he went from a struggling community college student paying out-of-pocket to launching an elite, highly selective tech academy that grows purely by word-of-mouth! 🤫📈

If you are trying to figure out your path into tech, wondering if boot camps are still viable in 2026, or want to know how the private sector is bypassing government corruption back home—this is the one episode you cannot afford to miss! 🎧🔥 📌 

Hey what's up, fam! Welcome back to Africans in Tech, where we're building bridges and shaping futures in the tech landscape. 🌍✨

In today’s episode, we sit down with the brilliant Destini Simmons (aka @CyberShortieee)—co-host of the massive Techtual Chatter podcast, cybersecurity professional, and true industry disruptor. 🔥

Destini drops real, unfiltered gems about what it actually takes to break into the tech space. From surviving a rocky college journey and changing her major "50 times," to quitting a soul-crushing call center job on a whim, to landing a major $95k tech bag—her story is the ultimate blueprint for locking in and upgrading your life. 📈💻

We dive deep into:

🧠 Mastering change management and tracking your corporate impact.

💰 Stepping out of a poverty mindset when you finally hit six figures.

👀 Navigating corporate spaces as a woman in a male-dominated field.

📖 Her upcoming technical stalker thriller book and her 5-year plan to crush law school (hello, Future JD! ⚖️).

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by the current tech market, or wondering if you're "smart enough" to pivot into cyber security—this episode is your sign to lock in and bet on yourself. 🎯

Connect with Destini (Cyber Shorty):
📸 Instagram: @cybershortieee
🎵 TikTok: @cybershortieee
📺 YouTube: @cybershortieee / @TextualChatter
💼 LinkedIn: Destini Simmons

What does it take to go from a rural Mississippi town of 500 people to becoming a Staff Software Engineer? 🚀 In this episode of Office in Tech, we sit down with William "Emjay" Hill to discuss his incredible journey through traditional tech spaces, the reality of navigating corporate politics as a minority, surviving tech layoffs, and why mastering data is the ultimate prerequisite for the AI revolution. 🤖📊

Emjay shares raw, invaluable lessons on the power of soft skills, bouncing back from failure (including a swift reality check in college math), and why being a "rockstar engineer" means nothing if you’re a nightmare to work with. 💥 Whether you're a computer science student looking for internships or a seasoned developer adapting to artificial intelligence, this conversation is packed with practical career advice! 💡

📌 Key Takeaways From This Episode:
The "Next Play" Mentality: 🧠 How learning to lose in sports translates directly to debugging code and handling interview rejections.

The Soft Skills Multiplier: 🤝 Why technical brilliance can have diminishing returns if you lack the emotional intelligence to collaborate.

Surviving Tech Layoffs: 💼 Emjay's personal story of turning a sudden New Relic workforce reduction into a three-month paid runway to his next big role.

The Truth About AI Integration: ⚡ Why companies are failing to get value out of LLMs and why fixing your core data model is the real first step.

The "Black Tax" & Success: ❤️ A candid look at the unique responsibilities of being the highest earner in your family and giving back to underrepresented communities.

In this episode of the Africans in Tech podcast, host Queen Duncan sits down with the multi-hyphenate powerhouse Ashley Miller 👑. Ashley is an Account Executive, Realtor, and the founder of The Black Exchange, but her journey to success was anything but linear. 📈

From walking onto the University of Florida’s track team 🐊 to navigating the high-stakes world of property management and surviving multiple tech layoffs, Ashley shares the "raw and real" side of building a career and a legacy. 🛠️

In this episode, we discuss:

The Power of Asking: 🗣️ How a closed mouth cost Ashley a collegiate scholarship and the lesson that changed her professional life.

The Great 50/50 Debate: 💸 Ashley dives deep into relationship dynamics, "soft life," and why she believes in being a helpmate—not just a financier.

Navigating the Tech Pivot: 🔄 Practical advice for those looking to transfer skills from "traditional" industries into the tech space.

Building the Black Exchange: 🤝 Why community is the ultimate safety net during economic shifts and layoffs.

The "Strong Black Woman" Trap: 🌹 A candid conversation on femininity, vulnerability, and why we need to return to building together.

Whether you're looking to pivot your career, seeking advice on high-value dating, or just wanting to hear a story of pure resilience, this episode is for you! 🎧🔥

🔥 In this powerful episode of Africans in Tech, we sit down with Annie Tagoe—Olympian 🏃🏾‍♀️, Team GB athlete 🇬🇧, and IMG model 💅🏾—to dive deep into her journey from Ghana 🇬🇭 to the global stage.

This is NOT your typical athlete story…

Annie keeps it real about:
✨ Growing up in Ghana and moving to the UK
🏃🏾‍♀️ Starting track at 15 and quickly going international
💔 Battling injuries, surgeries, and years of setbacks
😳 Only competing 11 times in over a decade due to injuries
💅🏾 Breaking into modeling with IMG and thriving in the industry
🧠 The mental and physical toll of being a professional athlete
💸 The harsh truth about money, sponsorships, and athlete struggles
📉 Why track & field lacks visibility and support
💻 Her desire to transition into tech and build long-term wealth

💡 Annie also shares real advice on:

The importance of mentorship
Navigating spaces where you’re underrepresented
Preparing for life AFTER sports

🚨 This episode is a MUST WATCH if you’re:
✔️ An athlete thinking about your next move
✔️ Interested in modeling or the fashion industry
✔️ Looking to break into tech
✔️ Focused on building wealth and long-term success

📲 Follow Annie Tagoe:
Instagram: @Annietagoe

📩 Business inquiries:
[email protected]

In today's episode, co-hosts Queen Duncan and Sahr Lebbie sit down with the incredible Kaylin Moss—known to the internet as the "Software Engineer Baddy." 💻🔥

Kaylin is a powerhouse AI Engineer working in the healthcare sector, a professional model featured by brands like Ulta and Honda, and a fierce advocate for authenticity in corporate spaces. 👠🤖 We dive deep into her Gullah Geechee heritage, her journey of founding a NSBE chapter at Marist College, and the viral video that sparked a massive conversation about dating culture within the tech industry. 🗣️📈

In this episode, we discuss:

🖱️ How early exposure to Scratch and web design paved her path to Computer Science.

💼 The importance of soft skills and "pitching yourself" to land your dream role.

💰 Her unique approach to financial freedom and retiring by age 45.

✨ Maintaining confidence and a "baddy" mindset as a Black woman in tech.

🚫 Setting non-negotiables in relationships (and why she doesn't want kids).

Follow Kaylin Moss:
📸 Instagram & 🎵 TikTok: @softwareengineerbaddie

In this episode of the Africans in Tech Podcast, we are joined by Bricesen Ross, a seasoned IT Director, Consultant, and Founder of Tech Disciple. 🎙️ Bricesen’s story isn't just about professional success; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at the systemic hurdles and cultural sacrifices often demanded by Silicon Valley. 💼

Bricesen takes us through his journey—from his early days fixing iPhones in a small Mississippi town to managing global IT infrastructures for a streaming giant. 📱 We discuss the "Silver Curtain"—the invisible barriers that prevent Black professionals from thriving even after they’ve "made it"—and the tactical ways corporations handle high-level talent. 🛑

Key Takeaways from this Episode:
The Myth of Meritocracy: Bricesen explains how being "twice as good" doesn't always protect you from corporate politics. ⚖️

The "Corporate Blitz": A deep dive into how companies monitor personal milestones (like paternity leave) to time layoffs for their own financial advantage. 📉

Cultural Isolation: Why the "progressive" Bay Area can feel more alienating for Black families than the Deep South. 🏜️

The Tech Disciple Mission: How Bricesen is now leveraging AI to build "moral frameworks" for startups and mentoring the next generation to enter tech with their integrity intact. 🤖

Faith & Resilience: The power of prayer and fasting in navigating the volatility of the tech market. 🙏✨

On this episode of Africans in Tech, host Queen Duncan sits down with Torrance Evans — a self-taught software engineer who turned persistence into opportunity.

Torrance shares his journey from growing up in Peoria, Illinois, to moving to Atlanta and building multiple businesses — from wholesaling real estate to running a car rental company — before pivoting into tech.

After failing interviews, grinding through self-teaching, and applying multiple times, he finally landed a role at JPMorgan Chase — proving that consistency beats talent when talent doesn’t quit.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

The reality of transitioning into tech with no background
Why networking is more important than you think
The truth about coding bootcamps (what they don’t tell you)
How rejection and failure actually lead to success
Building side businesses while chasing a tech career
Why you should NEVER give up on your goals

🔥 If you're trying to break into tech, pivot careers, or level up your life — this episode is for you.

🎙️ On this episode of Africans in Tech, host Sahr Lebbie sits down with the incredible Taylar Smith — born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, now thriving in Atlanta as a tech sales professional, mentor, and founder of Taylar Talks Tech. This is one conversation you do NOT want to miss! 🔥

Taylar's journey is anything but ordinary. She came to Atlanta at 21 years old with barely any money, sleeping on her cousin's couch in Lawrenceville and commuting hours each way just to intern at CNN 📺. From those humble beginnings, she grinded her way through Enterprise car rental, built her own freelance media company Taylar Leigh TV, and eventually found her calling in tech sales — landing roles at major companies like Autodesk and IBM. 💼

Now she's on a mission to help others break into the tech sales space through her mentorship program Taylar Talks Tech — and she's just getting started. 👑

💡 In this episode we cover:

How Taylar went from aspiring CNN news reporter to thriving in tech sales 📺➡️💻
Why transferable skills like communication are MORE than enough to get your foot in the door
What SDRs & BDRs actually do day to day and why product knowledge is EVERYTHING 📚
The BANT framework and how to qualify leads like a pro
What it's really like navigating tech as a Black woman in a white male dominated industry 👑
The truth about entrepreneurship vs. staying corporate 💰
Why job hopping in tech is actually NORMAL and how to do it strategically
Performance plans (PIPs), salary negotiation, RSUs & total compensation — the real talk nobody else is having 💵
How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the game for tech sales professionals 🤖
Why she lived in Milan, Italy for 6 months while working remotely 🇮🇹✈️
Her mentorship program Taylar Talks Tech, what it covers, and why she built it from the heart
The importance of discipline, visibility, and betting on yourself in 2026 💪

🗣️ Some gems from this episode:

"It could be easy getting into tech sales, but it's what you're going to do to STAY there."
"Get the product knowledge down in the first 30, 60, 90 days. Seriously."
"Don't shy away from startup companies — you could be sitting on life-changing stock options."
"Tech is always evolving. You have to evolve with it."
"Don't get caught up in the entrepreneurship hype without having something to fall back on."
🔗 Connect with Taylar: 📱 Instagram: @TaylarLeighTV 💼 LinkedIn: Taylar Smith 🎙️ Mentorship & Content: Taylar Talks Tech ✈️ Travel content: TK Travels

📧 Contact Africans in Tech: [email protected]

📲 Follow Africans in Tech: ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎧 Spotify | 🍎 Apple Podcasts

Africans in Tech is a podcast dedicated to building bridges and shaping futures in tech. Hosted by Sahr Lebbie, we highlight the stories, experiences, and journeys of Black and African professionals making waves in the tech industry. 🌍💻

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