Designing an Multi-Modal Community for Black Undergraduate Women in Computing at a Predominantly-White UniversityMSI
Black women are significantly underrepresented in computer science, which limits the field’s diversity and innovation. Existing university programs often lack cultural relevance, making interventions that resonate with Black women’s experiences crucial. This paper details the auto-ethnographic design and implementation of a multi-modal community during the 2023-24 academic year at a predominantly white institution in the U.S. Designed by a Black woman, the community aimed to increase participation and support for Black undergraduate women in computing. The virtual community grew, with increasing engagement in in-person events. The paper explores the cultural foundations, design process, challenges, and recommendations for expanding similar interventions across other institutions.