Banibe Ebegbodi, 20
Banibe Ebegbodi was afraid of pursuing a career in technology. Though she loved to create, and had always wanted to build battle dolls like in the manga Angelic Layer, she couldn’t see a future for herself in tech. “Even though the story encouraged young girls to achieve the impossible,” she remembers, “I still shied away from the industry based on the fact that I did not see many people who looked like me within it. As a black woman, entering in predominantly male spaces was intimidating and it discouraged me a lot from pursuing my interests.”
Once she reached college, she realized she wasn’t the only one impacted by a lack of representation in tech. Support from her campus community at the University of Georgia encouraged her to pursue computer science on her own terms. Her first leadership role on campus was Web Design Chair for Franklin Residential College, where she created an initiative showcasing her fellow community members’ successes. Banibe also joined Girls.Code(), the sister organization to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and was appointed as the Public Relations and Graphics Executive Board Member of ACM. She promoted the club's events and meetings by designing physical flyers and Instagram posts while working with the Membership Chair to increase engagement at meetings. The next year, Banibe was promoted to Vice President of ACM. This move was a game-changer. As she says, “my self-assurance continued to skyrocket.” Self-doubt no longer held her back.
Banibe was also appointed as Marketing Director for UGAHacks 8, where she played a crucial role in organizing the first Makeathon event. The event was a collaboration between the School of Computing and the School of Engineering to create a space where 250 makers could create and explore physical technology, such as 3D printing. Banibe 3D printed UGAHacks signs and used a laser cutter to create Makeathon awards. She also helped participants receive school credit for their projects. As a result of all her hard work, she is now in line to be the Lead Director of the upcoming UGAHacks9.
Banibe’s goal is to create a thriving community in which hackers support their peers and push each other to grow and learn. She says, “Whether it is through organizing events, mentoring hackers, or providing resources for learning and growth, I believe that every little bit helps in creating a more inclusive and vibrant hacker community.”
In addition to her work with UGAHacks, Banibe volunteered and mentored at HexLabs’s 2022 hackathon and TechTogether Atlanta 2023. Banibe's commitment to promoting involvement and knowledge-sharing has made her invaluable to the tech community. Banibe's continued involvement in community events and her work as a Major League Hacking hackathon organizer will undoubtedly inspire others to follow their own paths into technology.
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Banibe Ebegbodi, 20
Banibe Ebegbodi was afraid of pursuing a career in technology. Though she loved to create, and had always wanted to build battle dolls like in the manga Angelic Layer, she couldn’t see a future for herself in tech. “Even though the story encouraged young girls to achieve the impossible,” she remembers, “I still shied away from the industry based on the fact that I did not see many people who looked like me within it. As a black woman, entering in predominantly male spaces was intimidating and it discouraged me a lot from pursuing my interests.”
Once she reached college, she realized she wasn’t the only one impacted by a lack of representation in tech. Support from her campus community at the University of Georgia encouraged her to pursue computer science on her own terms. Her first leadership role on campus was Web Design Chair for Franklin Residential College, where she created an initiative showcasing her fellow community members’ successes. Banibe also joined Girls.Code(), the sister organization to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and was appointed as the Public Relations and Graphics Executive Board Member of ACM. She promoted the club's events and meetings by designing physical flyers and Instagram posts while working with the Membership Chair to increase engagement at meetings. The next year, Banibe was promoted to Vice President of ACM. This move was a game-changer. As she says, “my self-assurance continued to skyrocket.” Self-doubt no longer held her back.
Banibe was also appointed as Marketing Director for UGAHacks 8, where she played a crucial role in organizing the first Makeathon event. The event was a collaboration between the School of Computing and the School of Engineering to create a space where 250 makers could create and explore physical technology, such as 3D printing. Banibe 3D printed UGAHacks signs and used a laser cutter to create Makeathon awards. She also helped participants receive school credit for their projects. As a result of all her hard work, she is now in line to be the Lead Director of the upcoming UGAHacks9.
Banibe’s goal is to create a thriving community in which hackers support their peers and push each other to grow and learn. She says, “Whether it is through organizing events, mentoring hackers, or providing resources for learning and growth, I believe that every little bit helps in creating a more inclusive and vibrant hacker community.”
In addition to her work with UGAHacks, Banibe volunteered and mentored at HexLabs’s 2022 hackathon and TechTogether Atlanta 2023. Banibe's commitment to promoting involvement and knowledge-sharing has made her invaluable to the tech community. Banibe's continued involvement in community events and her work as a Major League Hacking hackathon organizer will undoubtedly inspire others to follow their own paths into technology.
Quick Facts
Links
