Dreamin’ in Color: How a Salesforce Tech Conference Sparked My Career Shift
Whitney Middlebrooks, Dreamin' In Color 2025
🌈 Divine Timing, Real Connections: My First Dreamin’ in Color Experience & How a Salesforce Tech Conference Sparked My Career Shift
For some time, I had been searching for a tech conference that would not only deepen my industry knowledge but also provide meaningful opportunities to connect with others in spaces that reflect my identity. With my experience in tech leading CRM integrations, platform rollouts, and managing digital systems, I've been ready to broaden my presence within the tech ecosystem.
That opportunity arrived when I came across an Instagram ad for Dreamin’ in Color—a tech conference created to support Black, Latinx, and Hispanic professionals in the Salesforce ecosystem. It immediately stood out. Even better? It was happening just down the road in Raleigh, NC.
As the saying goes, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” That’s exactly what happened. Despite it being a busy Juneteenth weekend, filled with celebrations, I made the intentional choice to go. Sidenote: I don’t know who needs to hear this, but stop waiting for someone else to go with you. Just go!
Intentional Preparation ✅
I arrived at the Raleigh Convention Center ready! I updated my LinkedIn, refreshed my business cards, and aligned my energy. I wanted to show up fully, professionally, and most of all, authentically. From the moment I walked in, I could feel the intention behind every detail. The event app was one of the best I’ve seen, with everything mapped out from speaker bios to room locations. Registration was seamless, and I smiled seeing my name and business printed on a personalized badge. It’s the little things that create a sense of belonging.
Clarity Through Conversation 🎤
The first session I attended, “Bold Together: Leading with Heart, Fueling Belonging,” was a powerful conversation between Tiffany Spencer (conference host and founder of Tech Forward) and Alexandra Legend Siegel, SVP and Chief Equality & Engagement Officer at Salesforce. Their leadership insights and commitment to impact set the tone for the entire day.
Alexandra Legend Siegal, SVP & Chief Equality and Engagement Officer at Salesforce, and Tiffany Spencer, Founder & CEO of Tech Forward, Tech Forward Solutions, and Dreamin’ in Color.
I also attended “Curating Impact: Lessons from a TEDx Curator and Tech Recruiter,” led by Chenae Erkerd, J.D., RACR, also known as #RecruiterCousin. There’s something special about meeting someone you’ve followed online for years and realizing they’re exactly who they say they are. Chenae was both dynamic and approachable, bringing her experience as a TEDx speaker and tech recruiter into this impactful session.
Her words reminded me to revisit my own story—why I do what I do, and why my voice matters. As a communications strategist, storytelling is second nature to me, but this was a timely nudge to refine and reclaim my narrative. It reminded me to stay grounded in both who I am and whose I am—and that real networking starts with authenticity, not a pitch.
Chenae Erkerd, J.D., RACR + Whitney Middlebrooks
Another standout moment came during the session “Resilient Mindset: Thriving Through Uncertainty with Strategy and Agility” at Dreamin’ in Color. A candid photo captured me speaking up when they asked what we wanted to gain from the session. I shared honestly: “I want real talk. I’m already in my career, and I’m looking for actionable steps to help me navigate what’s next.” That moment shifted the energy. The facilitators thanked me for being direct and said that kind of candor was exactly what they were hoping for. I truly believe it set a precedent for the rest of the conversation. Since then, I’ve stayed connected with several of the speakers via LinkedIn. The follow-through and willingness to support beyond the event speak volumes.
Whitney Middlebrooks + Alyssa Gibson-Allen, CSM, Program/Project Manager at Salesforce
Between sessions, I connected with so many incredible individuals—Megan Ingram, UX Design Manager; Elizabeth Knott, Salesforce Consultant at Deloitte; Michael Porcenat, Tara Warthen, MBA, Alyssa Gibson-Allen, CSM, Brian Moore, Asterisk Loftis, Salesforce MVP, and Michelle Black, a Technology Transformation Leader at Salesforce (to name a few). Each brought their brilliance, and each conversation added value, perspective, and encouragement to my journey.
Group Session Photo: “Resilient Mindset: Thriving Through Uncertainty with Strategy and Agility”
The Power of Follow-Up 🔁
Immediately following Dreamin’ in Color, I made it a point to follow up with all the people I met, expressed my gratitude, and kept the door open for deeper connection. One notable connection was with Shayla Mark, M.Ed., Senior Manager of Workforce Innovation at Salesforce. Shayla’s journey from a classroom teacher to Salesforce Consultant at Tech Forward, and eventually to a leadership role at Salesforce, was both inspiring and strategic. Just months into her first role, she began receiving offers for six-figure positions. But instead of rushing, she chose to stay, learn, and grow; and it paid off.
She offered thoughtful, practical advice and encouraged me to lean into what I already bring—project management, design, marketing, and communications- and to start viewing my strengths through a Salesforce lens. What stood out the most? Her offer to stay connected and support me on this journey, and her parting words: “You’re gold,” meant more than she probably knows.
This experience reaffirmed something I’ve always believed: real networking isn’t about collecting business cards or photo ops—it’s about being present, listening with intention, and staying open to what’s meant for you. And yes, sliding into DMs works, especially when it’s authentic. When you approach new spaces with openness and clarity, the right connections always find you.
Final Thoughts 💭
Dreamin’ in Color is more than a conference; it’s a space where representation and opportunity intersect. It’s built for those of us advancing careers in tech, navigating professional pivots, driving change in our communities, and seeking spaces that are truly inclusive and reflective of who we are.
To Tiffany Spencer and the entire Dreamin’ in Color team: thank you for curating this space. The way everyone spoke so highly of her and showered her with praise said everything I needed to know—she’s humble, committed, and a powerhouse.
Dreamin' in Color gave me exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I’ve been energized ever since—diving into research, completing Trailhead badges, studying for certifications, and reimagining what’s possible for my career.
As Zora Neale Hurston once said,
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
This year is answering. And I’m ready.
