BLACK HERSTORY
In celebration of Black excellence, we’re honored to spotlight the journey of Dinasty Kelly, Basta alum and software engineer at Comcast. Dinasty is the epitome of resilience, talent, and leadership. As she builds a successful career in tech—a male-dominated industry—she’s also become a sought-after panelist, sharing her wisdom and experience to help first-generation talent see what’s possible.
Thank you, Dinasty, for taking the time to speak with us and for being such an inspiration.
Who or what shaped your sense of possibility while you were growing up?
My grandmother has always been my biggest inspiration. She’s from Louisiana and grew up during the Jim Crow era. She was heavily involved in the civil rights movement and worked closely with youth, protesting when school integration led to the demotion of Black faculty. I’ve always been inspired by her grit, tenacity, and openness. From a young age, she instilled in me a strong understanding of the importance of education, especially as a Black woman. Whenever I’ve doubted my ability to succeed, she reminds me how far we’ve come as a people and how far I can continue to go.
What was most challenging about navigating the job search process as a first-gen student?
The most challenging aspect of navigating the job search process was the uncertainty. There is an immense amount of pressure to succeed and to be able to support yourself and/or your family as a first-generation student. Without the safety net or privileges that others might have, it often felt like if I didn’t get a job, my life would be over (dramatic, I know). I think many people can relate to that feeling when facing rejections or silence after submitting applications. Looking back now, I feel grateful that I had a support system that helped ground me throughout the process.
What strengths or “superpowers” do you think you bring to the table because of your background and experiences?
I moved a lot as a kid and attended a different school every year from 3rd through 9th grade. At the time, being the new girl was frustrating and difficult, but it ultimately gave me a “superpower”: confidence. No matter what room I walk into, I know I’ll be able to make at least one genuine connection, or at least try my best. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people, and that has become a major strength for me in the corporate world since “networking” really just feels like building authentic relationships.
How did Basta support you during your job search journey? Was there a particular moment, workshop, or piece of advice that made a difference?
I can’t highlight a defining moment without acknowledging The Future of AI Hiring panel that ultimately led to my job offer. When I was first asked to speak on a panel as a student, I felt undeserving of the opportunity. After being selected, I even tried to recommend someone else because I believed her story and experiences were more interesting than mine. I needed a lot of practice to feel comfortable speaking publicly, and the Basta staff spent hours helping me refine my responses so I could speak about my job search experience with confidence. I never imagined that someone in the audience would extend a full-time offer afterward, and I’m eternally grateful that the Basta team encouraged me not to turn down that opportunity.
We see that you are showing up at panels as a mentor for women in tech. What motivates you to lead this way?
Honestly, I keep getting invited 🙂. I’m not sure when everyone decided I’d be a good panelist, but I’m grateful for every opportunity to share my story if it helps motivate others who may feel uncertain about their path or future. I hope to make a positive impact in the tech community. While we can’t and shouldn’t ignore the systemic adversities many of us face, I want people of color with similar backgrounds to see that they truly have the ability to achieve whatever they set their minds to.
