Angelica Ross is championing for a more inclusive tech space

Imagine spending your younger years isolated from family because of your gender identity! This is just a snippet of the early life of Angelica Ross, an American trans woman who was harassed and rejected after coming out.

Ross is the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, a non-profit that focuses on, among other things, advocating for transgender opportunities in tech through social work and technical training.

Angelica is now a prominent voice for the trans community especially for those interested in technology. Her journey to activism is one of courage and determination.

Growing up, Ross did not have a clear understanding of her identity as is the case with many kids. One thing she remembers, though, is that she displayed feminine behaviors and she would be reproached for it.

While she desired to take part in feminine activities and loved trying on her mother’s shoes and clothes, she would be told to go out and play with the boys. With time, she started to feel like she would never live up to parents expectations and that they would never accept her gender identity. She, however, decided to come out to her mother who at the time could not accept her orientation. Religious reasons. She thus decided to run away from home. At only 17.

The inspiration to venture into technology started while she worked as a model and an escort. She learned photo software programs. She would later stop modeling and try her luck in cropping pictures as well as designing website pages.

In 2003, Ross started the MyZen Studios focussing on photography, web development, and graphic design. While at it, she took HTML and CSS classes and started offering freelance services to clients.

The idea of starting TransTech Social Enterprises was born while Ross was working at Trans Life Center as an employment coordinator. She noticed that trans people were being rejected and her pleas to have them considered for computer training did not work.

About TransTech Social Enterprises

TransTech is a creative design company that provides graphics, web development, and multimedia production services. The company seeks to empower trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer people, with practical, marketable skills so they can become self-reliant.

Empowerment is achieved through an online library of career-prep courses and various technology courses for free. To take advantage of these resources, you are required to register as a member.

The company offers training in Photoshop, graphic design, web programming, social entrepreneurship, and other specialized software-training workshops.

The organization has made major strides since its establishment and continues to forge partnerships that can help achieve their vision of empowering trans people to get opportunities in technical roles.

The company organizes the TransTech Summit and this year’s summit will take place on October 20th at the Groupon Headquarters in Chicago and it will feature workshops in Web/App Technology, Media Technology, Design Technology, and Business Technology.

The company’s impact can now be felt in various parts of the U.S. and beyond.

Ross has been recognized for her work. This includes receiving key awards.

Here are the awards.