So You Wanna Be A Blockchain BuildHER? Start Here!

👀THIS ISSUE AT A GLANCE

• If this isnt your sign to never sleep on the CreateHER Fest newsletter, what is? - Now dont gatekeep, refer a friend!

• How Gracy Chen went from 20M to 120M users (and what you can learn from her journey)

• Practical blockchain skills you can master—starting today

• 72 hours left: Register for the World Computer Hacker League global hackathon

FROM DENIED ENTRY TO GLOBAL STAGES: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COMMUNITY OPENS DOORS

How CreateHER Fest became Athika’s ticket to Ava Labs London Summit & Hackathon.

What started with Toronto based CreateHER Athika Fatima having to cancel her trip to one of North America’s most anticipated blockchain developer conferences due to a passport delay….shifted entirely a few weeks later when she opened up her inbox and saw the subject line:

You’ve been selected – CreateHER Fest x Avalanche Scholarship

She’d been nominated by CreateHER Fest and chosen by Ava Labs to attend the Avalanche Summit & Hackathon in London, with just over two weeks to get a visa, book a flight, and prep for her first-ever international solo trip.

The clock was ticking, but she wasn’t alone. With support from the CreateHER Community and Ava Labs, she made it to London, and made it count!

Athika didn’t just attend; she led.
She competed in the hackathon, connected with DevRels, demoed projects, leveled up her blockchain skills, and paid for SATLY caramel ice cream in Bitcoin, all while still finding time to swing in a hammock between sessions. 💅🏼

Reflecting on what got her there, she said:

Referring to Adriann Guy, CreateHER Fest Co-Founder and Doro Unger-Lee, Ava Labs Senior Dev Rel & Partnerships Lead. 

THIS is what community support looks like. This is the power of networks that truly invest in women's growth in emerging tech. Or, as she put it:

That’s the power of access.
Because when systems say no, the right support can still say: go.

Whether you're curious about blockchain, AI, or how these technologies intersect, Athika's journey shows what becomes possible when preparation meets opportunity. Keeping up with the opportunity section of our newsletter is where you can start today!

Ready to build your own AI x Blockchain project?

Watch Athika's workshop: "Bridging AI & Blockchain: ICP Use Cases & Hands-on Applications" where she shares the exact skills that prepared her for opportunities like this London adventure.

You'll gain hands-on experience with Internet Computer blockchain, discover career opportunities in the AI x Blockchain space, and leave with project-ready skills for your portfolio.

From 20M to 120M Users - How One Woman CEO is Changing Crypto Forever

Gracy Chen is the only woman CEO among the world’s top 10 crypto exchanges—an inspiring leader whose path to blockchain began in an unexpected place. She started her career as a TV host, pivoted into entrepreneurship, and then earned her MBA from MIT before finding her mission in Web3. Today, as CEO of Bitget, Gracy has taken the platform from 20 million to over 120 million users in just a year.

But Gracy’s impact goes far beyond the numbers. She launched the $10 million Blockchain4Her initiative to bring more women into the industry and led Bitget’s Anti-Scam Month, an interactive campaign that helped everyday users spot crypto fraud—a growing problem that cost the world $4.6 billion last year. Under her leadership, scam detection rates on Bitget jumped from only 8.6% to over 65%.

Gracy’s journey proves you don’t need a traditional tech background to lead and protect in Web3. Ready to take your own first step? Register for the World Computer Hacker League hackathon by July 25th for hands-on training, mentorship, and a chance to build your future in blockchain!

GET INVOLVED

We're seeking workshop facilitators across:

• AI & Machine Learning

• Blockchain Technology

• Augmented & Virtual Reality

• Project Management

• Engineering

• UX/UI Design

• Product Design

• Cybersecurity

• Data Science & Analysis

Whether you want to lead a hands-on 90-minute build session or facilitate an intimate 30-minute fireside chat, we want to hear from you. Our community spans from women just starting their tech journey to seasoned engineers and executives.

Here's what makes a great CreateHER Fest facilitator: 

• You understand that learning happens differently when women feel truly safe and supported

• You break down complex concepts without talking down to anyone

• You create space where participants leave with something tangible - whether that's a working project, a concrete next step, or the confidence to try something new.

Ready to apply? Apply today!

OPPORTUNITIES

The Black Beauty AI Challenge

Black Girls Code and The Doux have teamed up to launch the Black Beauty AI Challenge, a groundbreaking competition empowering girls and young women (ages 13–25) to shape how AI understands Black beauty, style, and culture. This is a unique invitation to both celebrate identity and take charge of how digital tools see our community.

What’s the Challenge?

• Create a 60–90 second AI-generated video that reflects your vision of Black beauty, style, or culture.

• Use free versions of AI-powered platforms (Kaiber.ai, Runway ML, Luma Labs, Pika, CapCut, Canva, and more).

• No coding experience is required—creativity and self-expression are what matter most!

Who Can Enter?

• Girls and women ages 13–25 in the US, with two age tracks:

  • Youth Track: 13–17

  • Young Adult Track: 18–25

Why Participate?

• $1,500 grand prize (plus additional cash and gift card prizes up for grabs).

• Winners will be spotlighted nationally—top videos will be featured on social media and at a special NYC pop-up gallery on MLK Day 2026.

• Join a community shaping not just what AI sees, but the future of technology itself.

How to Get Involved

• Submissions open now—visit The Doux or Black Girls Code for entry forms and inspiration.

• All participants must identify as female and reside in the continental United States.

• Cash prizes awarded for videos made with free AI tools; entries using paid platforms are considered for honorary recognition.

Why It Matters

“If Black creators don’t guide what AI learns from us, we risk being overlooked—or worse, misrepresented by others,” says Maya Smith, CEO and Creative Director of The Doux. This challenge hands the keys to the next generation, making sure Black girls and women are leading the narrative in tech and AI.

Let’s show the world—and the algorithms—what Black beauty really looks like.

Ready to run the code and flip the script? Apply today!

THIS WEEK’S RESOURCES

Until next time,

Discover \ Design \ Deliver