How it started and how it’s going: The journey of a black woman in tech.
As a Ph.D in Information Systems, I know a thing or two about technology and systems. But it wasn’t an easy road getting here. I never planned to even go to college. But after a life changing Black College Tour, I knew I had to go to college to make a better life for myself. I was set on changing the trajectory of my life and learned that going to college was the way to do that. I thought, I need to make lots of money, so what should I major in? It was 1999, nearing Y2K and computer science sounded like the perfect in demand major. Unfortunately, I was intimated by all of the required calculus classes and decided to switch to business information systems. I graduated from Tennessee State University with Bachelors of Business Information Systems and went on to obtain my MBA in Technology Management and ultimately a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems. Turns out, I’m really good at math. I did it!
Using my Tech Skills for Good
In December 2015, I hired a designer and received my first logo for my company, She Knows Tech (now AchieveHer). I provided tech skills training, with a focus on black women, to help them Excel in their current job. By this time, I had two small children, but I knew I wanted to help women. Every women needs tech skills no matter your field. That was my purpose, help black women move up in their chosen field.
I want to help YOU thrive! Too many times we focus on reputation goals — things other people see and judge us by, such as your job title or degree. But in reality, we should focus on prosperity goals. So I created this 100% free Prosperity Goals Planning Workbook and a video to walk you through each step!
Right now you can set your 2021 Goals in three categories. Can you guess what they are? Health, wealth and happiness are the three areas of life I focus on and so should you. Plus, there are three levels of Microsoft Excel courses that I will teach you on a user friendly platform that consists of videos, workbooks and files.
I have always had a knack for websites! I have created many and have taught programming for years. I created my personal website with Wix and highly recommend it! It’s easy!
Homework Suite App
In 2016, I was growing frustrated with my university students. More than 25% of the class would miss every homework assignment. I was constantly being told, “I forgot my homework.” So I developed Homework Suite Student Planner app. I was so proud of myself for creating something that would help students organize their assignments all in one place. I achieved over 20,000 installs and made a decent amount of passive income into 2019. I started The Achiever Academy nonprofit in March 2018 and loved seeing the girls at Maplewood High School use Homework Suite! However, the constant Apple update requirements just weren’t fun anymore and I decided to focus all of my energy on The Achiever Academy and Period Project work.
The Storyteller
The Achiever Academy was doing great work in the community by educating Black Girls and Black Women on soft skills that we often lack — body language, elevator pitching, self-esteem, and self-confidence. The work was even covered in The Tennessean in 2018 and 2019 and on News Channel 5 in 2020 when we installed pad dispensers at Jere Baxter Middle School.
Soon after, I was approached by The Tennessean Newspaper to share my personal story of triumph. That was a very difficult thing for me to do but opened the door for me to truly open up and write The Unlikely AchieveHer book.
The Unlikely AchieveHer
By the end of 2018, It was time for me to share my life experiences in hopes that it would help other Black Girls and Black Women reach their potential. I wanted to share how so many people poured into me to help me get where I am today. This workbook is a journey through worksheets that help you create plans for your health, wealth, and happiness. It’s completely action oriented! This is the perfect time for goal planning and New Years Resolutions so check out this workbook !
Thank you!
Lakisha L. Simmons, PhD
Get the workbook, The Unlikely AchieveHer
Creator, Period Project Nashville
Founder, The Achiever Academy
CEO, BRAVE Consulting LLC, A Women’s Empowerment Company
& Associate Professor of Business Systems & Analytics
@drkishasimmons
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Originally published at https://www.lakishasimmons.com on December 14, 2020.
