Congratulations on being nominated to appear in The Voices In The Shadow Volume 6! This is a fantastic opportunity for you to tell your story as a black woman in tech and potentially have your story published in a printed book that will be distributed to schools, libraries and archived at the British Library.

To be in with a chance of appearing in the printed book, you only need to write your story in 500 words maximum. We are looking for the best stories to be selected in the hard copy, but all stories will appear in the digital copy. We are excited to read your submissions and see the creativity and talent you bring. Good luck with your writing, and we look forward to receiving your stories.

Please read the instructions below to understand how to best write your story. Any questions, email daniela@theblackwomenintech.com

Important dates to remember and save in your calendar:

• Friday 30th January 2026: Last day to submit your story, photo and bio here. Important: Create your folder first, name the folder with your full name (First name and Surname). Then upload your 500-word story, including the answer to the question, “What’s one song that brings you joy”, 2-3 high-resolution photos in your folder and lastly your bio. The bio can be as many words as you want. Click here for our story writing guide.
• Thursday 1st October 2026: The Voices in The Shadow Book Launch Event. You will get a complimentary ticket and a free copy of the book. If you have children, those aged 6 to 12 can attend for free.

Watch Our Story Writing Video

Deadline: 30th January 2026

Click here to upload your story, bio and photo

1. When you click the link above, create your folder FIRST and save it under your first name and surname
2. Then upload your 500-word story, including the answer to the question, “What’s one song that brings you joy”, 2-3 high-resolution photos in your folder and lastly your bio.
3. Story maximum: 500 words or 2,500 characters. Please respect the maximum, as your story will be automatically shortened to fit the book’s page layout for print.
4. Click here to access the example

Please provide 2–3 high-resolution headshots that reflect your authenticity and professionalism. Choose images with good lighting, a clear background, and a natural, low-contrast finish that keeps the focus on you. We want to see your face clearly and capture your presence with warmth and confidence, no heavy filters or dark shadows. These photos will be featured in The Voices in the Shadow book and may also appear in our digital and event materials, so select images that represent the powerful, brilliant woman you are.

Good photo 

• Low contrast 
• Clear background 
• Clear view of the face
• Good lighting

Not acceptable photo 

• Busy background
• Face is unclear  
• High Contrast
• No full body shots

This is an example of how our pages are laid out in both the print and digital book. When selecting an image, please send the highest-quality photo possible and make sure that none of your limbs or your head are cropped out, and that your face is clearly visible.

When writing your biography, focus on weaving your experiences and achievements into a compelling narrative that highlights your personal growth and impact. Click here to access a bio example to upload.

It’s time to submit your story! When you click the link below, please create your folder first and name it using your first name and surname. Once your folder is created, upload your 500-word story, making sure to include your answer to the question: “What’s one song that brings you joy?” In the same folder, include your 2–3 high-resolution photos and your bio. Your story should be a maximum of 500 words or 2,500 characters. Please respect this limit, as your submission will be automatically adjusted to fit the book’s page layout for print.

We encourage you to write from the heart, share your experiences, lessons, and reflections with honesty and pride. This is your space to inspire others and celebrate the power of your journey. We can’t wait to read it!

Deadline: 30th January 2026

Click here to upload your story, bio and photo

1. When you click the link above, create your folder FIRST and save it under your first name and surname
2. Then upload your 500-word story, including the answer to the question, “What’s one song that brings you joy”, 2-3 high-resolution photos in your folder and lastly your bio.
3. Story maximum: 500 words or 2,500 characters. Please respect the maximum, as your story will be automatically shortened to fit the book’s page layout for print.
4. Click here to access the example