We are leading diversity and inclusion in the project management industry and creating opportunity by
advancing women of color through education, coaching, and professional development.
Launched at the start of 2020, Black Women in Project Management began as a response to the challenges faced by women of color in the project management industry. After 20 years of experience as a successful project manager, founder and CEO Maitai Gordwin saw an industry that continued to be dominated by white men, while the few women of color in the industry had not been offered the same support to enter and remain as valuable members.
Through years of personal mentorship and volunteering, Gordwin developed the tools needed for women of color to advance and demonstrate their value in the industry. Black Women in Project Management empowers women of color to receive the education and coaching they need to compete, along with powerful networking and mentorship opportunities to take their careers to the next level.
With over two decades of experience working in project management, Black Women in Project Management have built a robust program working with women of color regardless of where they are on their career path. To build a more inclusive workforce in project management, we know that comprehensive support is needed: thorough education, hands-on coaching, linking black women to job opportunities and uplifting mentorship provide essential assistance to elevate any woman’s career.
At Black Women in Project Management, we recognize that continued education is essential to building your portfolio and professional development. We acknowledge that everyone is starting at a different place, and we know the importance of making sure we all have access to the same information. Through professional webinars, workshops, conversations, and other educational materials, we ensure both industry competencies and trade secrets are shared to build inclusivity and accessibility.
One of the biggest challenges for a woman of color in project management is navigating through politics and bureaucracy. While educational materials can be helpful to understand options, speaking with other women of color who have experienced similar events can offer guidance and insight to traverse complex situations. Through our professional coaching, we provide 1:1 and group opportunities to explore how to respond through conversations and writing while remaining professional among colleagues and supervisors.
Building a career in project management can be a lifelong process, and we want to offer you support every step of the way. Through our mentorship opportunities, we connect aspiring and emerging project managers with experienced professionals who have spent their careers navigating the industry and came out on top. By connecting with other women of color professionals in project management, we can establish a stronger community of support and education, while driving for more diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Another big challenge for a woman of color in project management is landing a job - her dream job. After the education, learning and certification exams, what's next? A good paying job. While educational materials and mentorship are helpful to women of color in project management, getting a good job sets them up for success in this field. Through the job opportunities we will we posting on our page regularly, we can bridge the gap between getting certified and having their foot in, in the industry.