“Hold your head up high and do not let anyone make you feel you don’t deserve the best life has to offer.”
What prompted you to explore a career in tech?
I love designing web sites with drag and drop so I wanted to learn more about it.
What is your ideal tech job?
Designing Web sites
Tell us a little bit about what a typical day looks like for you.
I get up I get up and study.
How do you stay motivated to get your tech degree work done?
I know that once I get my degree I will be able to get a job doing something I love.
Who are your biggest fans and cheerleaders as you pursue this certificate?
Myself, my roommate, my best friend, my partner.
What’s your favorite study snack?
I varies.
What’s your trick to destress?
I don’t stress anything.
If you’ve ever had to face obstacles because of perceived identity, can you give advice on how you overcame them for those reading who may be going through something similar?
We live in a world where not everyone has evolved past judging others based on their outer appearance. It has nothing to do with you. Yes it is stressful, but imagine what it was like when they were lynching black people. Imagine the terror. Somehow, black people carried on during those times. You are what they have become. Do not let the actions of others define who you are. You come from a people who created all of America’s wealth without so much as a ‘thankyou’ in return. Hold your head up high and do not let anyone make you feel you don’t deserve the best life has to offer. That is a lie. Also, you and your people are not ‘poor’ in any way considering how much you have contributed to culture. It takes unfathomable wealth to have been so robbed.
What’s your favorite thing about being a part of the Hacking Barriers cohort?
My favorite thing about Hacking Barriers is it is based on the recognition that black people have been deliberately denied certain opportunities and it seeks to address that.
If you had to pick an intersection of tech what would it be? And Why? (Ex: TechXArt, TechXFashion, TechXSocial Good)
TechXSocial Good because this society needs more good in it like humans need oxygen.
What is a piece of advice you would give to others who want to apply for a tech Bootcamp or something you wish you could tell your past self?
Only do what you love. Life is too short for anything else.
Tell us about a time you felt extremely accomplished in the past couple years.
My film, Soul Sista#1, is the most selected film for festivals on the international site, Filmfreeway. Every time another festival accepts it, I feel accomplished. The last acceptance was earlier this month. I have also done some amazing angelic things for others because I’m such a good person, but I don’t want to write a book…OH that’s another thing!! Every time I get a royalty payment for my book – How To Be A Good Ally: 500 Ways to shut down hate speech (against Asians, Black people, Jewish People, LGBTQ, Mexicans, Muslims, and Tribespeople), I feel accomplished.
How can readers support you:
Buy my book, which is available on Amazon.
Favorite Motivational Song?
The Dog Days Are Over.
Favorite Quote?
“You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world” – Lucille Ball
Where can we find you?
I’m in the process of rebuilding the Soul Sista #1 site from scratch using the skills I’m learning on the course so it is down.
My Linkedin is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-tolbert-59653417/
My book is available here: How to be a Good Ally
Hacking Barriers is a remote learning collaboration to decrease barriers of entry into the tech industry by WITPGH in partnership with Team Treehouse + The Center On Interracial Relationships + Neighborhood Allies. The cohort features an entirely remote learning and support program for BIPOC women that employs a multi-pronged approach to the popular bootcamp method of learning programming and design related technical skills. The program includes local networking and work-life balance resiliency workshops with a structured 6 month online technical bootcamp featuring tracks for Python, Front-End Web Development, Full-Stack Development, User Experience, and PHP.