Hi! My name is Takara. I'm a nerdy multitasker currently based in Canada who covers technology and business for a variety of national and international publications.
These days you can catch me on CBC where I break down the biggest tech and business stories as a national technology columnist for CBC (Canada's public broadcaster) and technology contributor for BBC World News. I recently recieved my SANS cybersecurity certification and completed a summer farming program at Sundance Farms.
One of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women. This award "recognizes and pays tribute to Canadian women who serve as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders".
A U.S. Young Leaders of America fellow. This coveted fellowship brings young ambitious leaders from around the world to the U.S. to further their own education and learn from experts in their field.
One of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada fellows. The program brings together "dedicated entrepreneurs and technology leaders from across Canada to meet with experts in Asia."
One of L'Oreal Canada's top five women entrepreneurs in STEM. This award "supports women entrepreneurs in technology" who have made a meaningful contribution to STEM in Canada.
One of AdWeek magazine's Brand Star Leaders. This honour recognizes individuals who have contributed to the city's growing technology ecosystem and local leaders.
One of CSPN's Young Entrepreneurs of the Year. This honour recognizes individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the city's growing technology ecosystem.
Below are a few of the publications and organizations I've worked with:
Technology contributor, Canada's national broadcaster.
Technology contributor, British Broadcasting Corporation.
Freelance writer and consultant, national English-Canadian newspaper.
Freelance writer, national English-Canadian newspaper.
Technology contributor, a national English-Canadian news network.
Contributing editor, U.S. technology and business magazine.
Freelance contributor, Canada's only 24-hour local news channel.
Freelance contributor, national English-Canadian newspaper.
Plus: WNYC (New York City Public Radio), CBC RADIO ONE (CBC's English-language news radio network), NBCLX (NBC news station).
My work can be found in both digital and print publications. My portfolio includes content strategy, creative direction, multimedia analysis and more. To view my recent work click here.
A current affairs channel at the world's largest international broadcaster.
A current affairs channel at the world's largest international broadcaster.
A podcast series about the rise and fall of startup founder Gerald Cotten. The 30-year-old entrepreneur oversaw one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges and died under mysterious circumstances in India after losing millions of dollars.
Timnit Gebru has been warning the world about artificial intelligence for years. And like a scientist in a Hollywood blockbuster, she has been ignored or dismissed. But now her fears are becoming reality, and the public is taking notice.
With Canada facing a looming disaster of having too few farmers as existing operators retire, some see young, racialized farmers as key to feeding Canadians into the future
Claudette McGowan has worn several hats over the years: banking executive, community advocate, mentor and business owner. It’s all made her something of a power broker in Canada’s tech ecosystem, while she’s promoted women and diversity along the way.
Canadian firms are spearheading new ways to support diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Canadian firms are spearheading new ways to support diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Designed to make life easy, web-connected devices are being used against women to harass, track, and even lock them in their own homes.
The average person gets a new device every two years—adding to our mounting electronic waste problem.
Electronic waste is piling up, but advocates have a plan to fight back.
Over the last four months, students and their parents have participated in one of the biggest e-learning experiments in Canadian history.
My audio work can be found on Apple, Spotify, CBC and more. My most recent work can be found below:
I enjoy sharing my experiences, work and lessons learned throughout my career at conferences and events around the world. If you or your team would benefit from a presentation or workshop about digital literacy, communication, media, digital strategy, STEAM and more make sure to reach out by contacting me here.
Here's a peek at a few events I've attended as a speaker (virtual and/or in person) over the last year:
Below are a few publications that have highlighted my work over the years:
"This Canadian Non-Profit Is Helping To Fix Wikipedia’s Diversity Gap."
"Wikipedia’s diversity gap echoes around the internet. Here’s what local groups are doing to help."
"Kids of colour breaking down Toronto tech barriers."
"Takara Small shares what she learned exploring small-town tech in a new podcast."
"Righting who writes code. What’s more fun than smashing through barriers to be a Black woman in tech?"
"This Journalist Is Diversifying Canada’s Tech Scene in More Ways Than One"
"Journalism alum and CBC columnist Takara Small launches new investigative podcast series."
VentureKids Canada is a Toronto-based nonprofit that teaches students in underserved communities entrepreneurship and coding skills.
As part of the organization's ongoing mission to help underserved youth, starting in the summer of 2019 VentureKids launched the nonprofit's first rural-city partnership with Northeastern University Toronto that brought students from small towns in rural Ontario to Toronto where they participated in free hands-on computer programming lessons.
Teaching youth who live in underserved, rural or Indigenous communities computer science and critical entrepreneurship skills is critical for Canada's ecosystem. Providing underserved youth with access to free programs will not only improve their communities, but also boost industry diversity thereby increasing revenue for local companies. In order to support the next generation of tech workers and tech leaders VentureKids also presents free complimentary breakfast, lunch, transportation and laptops.