Creating an Inclusive Django Community with Kenya Phelps

Speaker 1: Hey everybody, welcome to DjangoCon US 2025. We are here doing some interviews with some really cool people My name is Kudzai and here I'm with a very special guest. Please could you introduce yourself?

Speaker 2: Hi everybody, my name is Kenya Phelps. I am the conference chair for DjangoCon US 2025.

Speaker 1: Conference chair for JongCon US 2025. That is super super cool. So Kenya, to my understanding, you're the second uh conference chair in a row to bring Jongcon US to their home city Why was that important for you?

Speaker 2: Well, it was I felt like Chicago is such a diverse creative and open city and that's what I experienced in the Django community. And I just thought what a beautiful pairing. And so I worked hard to to to submit a proposal that, you know, everyone would could be proud of, and I'm just excited that that it would it came to fruition.

Speaker 1: When it's all said and done, what would you like people to remember most about JamCon US 2025?

Speaker 2: Um, I would hope that they leave with a warm feeling of being included in just something great and that they have um uh just uh filling uh let's pay it for it And also I wanted it to make make it such a um what an inclusive environment. And I fun. You know, I want everybody to have a lot of good time. Fun, fun, fun. Let's have fun in Chicago. Who if you can't have fun in Chicago then

Speaker 1: Yeah. So Kenya a lot of people always comment about like how great for personality you are and just like yeah everyone everyone loves Kenya So I'm interested, like can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got involved in tech and Django and what is your journey like?

Speaker 2: So I didn't start off as a software developer. I switched careers later in life. during the pandemic, um like a lot of us, we started asking ourselves what's the meaning of life, right? But then I'm like, no, I I think maybe I I can do something different So I I did a boot camp and it it was successful. I did completed a boot camp in software development. got a job at um cactus group and I've been there ever since. Um I found Django the Django community just through trying to make sure that I upped my game in programming and This framework and these people have

Speaker 2: been amazing generous and just helping me to um increase my skills and you know give back um write good clean code all and everything in between but my journey was different But I'm here. It might have taken me a while to get here, but the and the journey was it was different. It was hard, but it was fun and very rewarding

Speaker 1: Would you say the Django community has been like instrumental in getting you as far as you have in your career?

Speaker 2: Absolutely. Absolutely, 100%. Um it is as a matter of fact, I I know that we are all about positive talk, but I will say this, when I step outside of the Django community and ecosystem, I do want to run back because um other communities aren't as giving and aren't as generous and and patient. So I always say that Django spoils me. But yes, 100%. The people, organizations that I'm um uh familiar with or acquainted with, all just top tier

Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah. What's been your most favorable or most memorable moment from a previous Django con? Or even this one?

Speaker 2: Um, well I Don't know if I can cross-reference, but DjangoCon Europe was really amazing. I was in Spain and I spoke with a senior developer. We talked about peer programming. And it was just a wonderful experience to have, you know, me being new and a newbie in the industry. Standing next to a senior and a actually being, you know, offering some some value to to the next person. That was awesome.

Speaker 1: Yeah. What advice would you give to someone watching this, their newcomer, or they're thinking about getting involved with Django Cons, attending a Django Con? What would you say? they should do to get started on that on that journey. Hmm.

Speaker 2: Just do it. There are so many um platforms, you know, you can find us on Discord. You can find us in um different different websites, LinkedIn, and just reach out to someone in the community and I guarantee you if they don't have the answers, they will find out for you. And then also too, you know, all believe you you are valuable. Just ask the question. No question is stupid. And just do it because if you don't, then you will never know. Oh.

Speaker 1: That's a good word. Yes, yes. Kenya, thank you so much for sitting with us. It's been great talking to you.