APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2024 NOW OPEN!
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 30TH. APPLY NOW
BECOME THE LEADER YOU WISH YOU HAD.
Most leadership coaching programs fail to acknowledge - let alone, address - the many levels of inequality faced by historically marginalized talent.
Designed for and by startup operators, our program uses an intersectional and outcome-oriented approach that equips the new majority with the context, confidence, and community they need to successfully navigate the unequal terrain of modern workplaces.
Learn the landscape, play the game; level up.
“When I began Momentum I felt a bit lost and unsure of what my next move would be. Momentum helped me feel confident in myself about the next steps to take in my career and introduced me to awesome people in the industry!”
Spring 2021 Momentum Participant
In this program, YOU WILL GAIN
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
TO BOOST
CLARITY CONFIDENCE
+ CAREER
+ A POWERFUL, DIVERSE NETWORK
OF PEOPLE WHO
"GET" YOU
a community of like-missioned PATHFINDERS
...and a network of COMPANIES to learn from
The highlight of my week! I got so much out of connecting with other "onlys" with similar challenges and the tech speakers who not only faced the same problems but overcame them while remaining true to themselves.
Momentum Participant
WHETHER YOU ARE
LGBTQ, MUSLIM, TRANSGENDER, NEURO-ATYPICAL, INTROVERTED, OR FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY
WE GOT YOU
WE CAN HELP YOU
GET CLEAR
ON YOUR
CAREER GOALS
TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER NARRATIVE
+ WIN
Build Real MOMENTUM in Your Career
PROGRAM FEES STARTING AT $2500
We started Momentum because...
THE HUSTLE IS REAL
RACE. ETHNICITY. GENDER. EDUCATION. CLASS. AGE. ORIENTATION. ABLENESS. NATIONALITY.
Research shows that individuals who identify as first, few, only or under-represented on a tech team often experience:
-
Slowed career growth (from being overlooked)
-
Burnout, mental exhaustion from code-switching
-
Role & title confusion, experience devaluation
-
Self-doubt (from not being taken seriously)
-
Offensive or unwelcome comments, office "jokes"
-
Being torn between "speaking up" and being "that person"
-
Loneliness, social isolation at work
-
Absence of critical creative/thought partnership
NO, IT'S NOT YOU. THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED
For too long, you've been expected to accept (and agree) with harmful, toxic, messages under the guise of "taking feedback well." We're here to tell you that you're more than how fear and insecurity view you. And we've got receipts.
To learn more, subscribe to our monthly NEWSLETTER
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF BS ON YOUR CAREER.
Yeah, we know progress is slow, changes are a-happenin', and there is more "wokeness" on the internet than every before.
Someday, we may very well achieve the unimagineable - a world in which everyone gets a fair shot at achieving their potential.
Till then, we'll be here equipping firsts, few, and onlys with the insider knowledge, unspoken rules, battle-tested playbooks, and network they need to learn the game, then beat it.
SO DON'T CALL US A PROGRAM
WE'RE A PLAYBOOK FOR REAL LIFE
Discover Your Power
Use our self-audit to chart your best path from where you are to where you want to be in tech.
Outsmart the System
Practice outsmarting mansplaining, tokenization, and other micro-aggressions like a confident pro.
Master the Landscape
Learn the politics and the facts on being under-represented in tech.
Make Waves (without repercussions)
Evaluate your company’s potential for change; take action while avoiding pitfalls + becoming "that person".
Build Your Network
Map your network of sponsors, mentors, allies, and work buddies; connect with purpose.
Fortify Your Brand
Authentically integrate your personal, professional, and (dare we say) political brand to your advantage.
Questions about the Curriculum?
CONTACT US
There is no MOMENTUM without ALLIES & COMMUNITY
MOMENTUM is supported by a community of GUEST SPEAKERS,
including storytellers, brand strategists, career coaches, wellness practitioners,
workplace culture shapers, and organizational psychologists.
Sponsor the Next Generation of Inclusive Tech Leaders
MEET TEAM MOMENTUM
FOUNDER & LEAD FACILITATOR
I'm a startup executive with ~20 years leading product, design, engineering, and go-to-market teams to launch products around the world, and coaching senior leaders to facilitate inclusive workplace cultures at high-growth tech companies.
I'm also the founder of Project Lela, a legaltech platform that connects individuals experiencing workplace challenges to quality and affordable attorneys, and an angel investor who's passionate about mission-driven products, community, marketplaces, and the future of work.
Momentum was inspired by my career and life's work at the intersection of business, technology, leadership, and economic justice. I'm on a mission to develop the next generation of tech leaders, so I built the coaching program that I wish I'd had.
Hi, I'm Spectra
(She/They)
We started MOMENTUM to pay it forward
As tech industry veterans with more than 40 years of combined experience in the industry, and as members of multiple marginalized communities, we believe that you can do anything with the right guidance, support, and allies—and so we built Momentum to do just that: unblock access to the next generation of mission-driven, forward-thinking, inclusive, and successful tech leaders.
Signed,
Spectra
If you're a company who's serious about doing more to tangibly support under-represented leaders at your company and across the industry, GET IN TOUCH ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS
“When I began Momentum I wasn't confident. Week after week it got easier to speak up and really the value I brought to my company. As a result I was able to ask for a raise at my current position, apply to new roles, and receive offers from companies I never thought I could get into.”
Momentum Participant
Build Real MOMENTUM in Your Career
WHETHER YOU'RE PEOPLE MANAGER,
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR, OR CURRENTLY IN-TRANSITION
Reviewing applications till May 31st (or till we're full). APPLY NOW
IT'S TIME TO LEVEL UP
TAKE WHAT'S RELEVANT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE
To establish our personal brands and become frequently requested speakers, consulted experts, and respected leaders in our fields.
( without burning out )
(or "selling out")
( even as "onlys" )
YOU WILL SHIFT FROM...
BEING OVERLOOKED TO BEING REGULARLY CONSULTED
FEELING PIGEON-HOLED TO TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR BRAND
STAYING STUCK IN A DEAD END TO GAINING REAL CAREER TRACTION
NO FLUFF. BS.OR BEING TOLD TO "LEAN IN"
REAL TALK, REAL OUTCOMES.
a new era of inclusive tech leadership
welcome to
the
CONTEXT
TO HELP YOU AVOID PITFALLS IN THE WORKPLACE WHILE STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF
the
COACHING
THAT ADDRESSES
THE UNIQUE
CHALLENGES YOU FACE WITH COMPASSION
the
COMMUNITY
OF EXPERIENCED LEADERS, PEERS, AND ADVOCATES THAT GET YOU AND WILL SHOW UP FOR YOU
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA
YOU MUST
at a bare minimum
-
Work at a tech company or a technical role (like IT).
-
Have an early or mid-career position (no CEOs, please)
-
Identify as a member of one or more historically (and systemically) marginalized communities
-
Relate to the experience of being a "first" "few" "only" or "different" on your team or in your company
and, also
-
Be able to contribute 2-3 hrs weekly for ~8 weeks
-
Be willing to show up openly and bravely to sessions
-
Be ready to spend time thinking about your power and privilege, alongside any systemic challenges you face
-
Be someone who believes in the power of RECOGNITION, RECIPROCITY, and COMMUNITY.
THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF...
You (already) have access to inclusive coaching (ha! who actually does?), positional power at your company, or the proverbial seat at the table.
(Momentum is ideal for mid- to senior- rising stars working full-time in tech-related roles or companies, regardless of contract type.)
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
Because no amount of facilitation can match the level of psychological safety created by the DNA of your cohort.
Our goal for each cohort is to achieve a balance of affinity and diversity, so that no one feels like an 'only' in this program. While we can't guarantee hitting these goals, we commit to prioritizing the balance of identities and perspectives we seek over size.
-
NO POSTURING
-
COURAGE & VULNERABILITY ARE CELEBRATED
-
IMPERFECTIONS + REALNESS ARE CENTERED
-
50% BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR+ (including 20% NON-BLACK, 50% LGBQ & TRANS*)
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NO "MEAN GIRLS" OR UNHEALTHY MASCULINITY (OF ANY GENDER)
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NO ROOM - ZERO ROOM - FOR WHITE FRAGILITY
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A CURATED COHORT, SO YOU ARE NOT "THE ONLY" BLACK / POC / NONBINARY / INTROVERT / NERD / GUY / ETC
-
PRONOUN SHARING ENCOURAGED
-
CAMERAS ON FOR HEART-SHARES & REFLECTIONS, OPTIONAL FOR LECTURES or ANY OTHER TIME
-
COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION
-
CONSISTENT PRACTICE OF GIVING FIRST, GRATITUDE & RECIPROCITY
Got Questions?
Complete the form below to get in touch with someone from our team.
