We were lucky to catch up with Anna Topping recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Tech Equals is the community organization for LGBTQ+ people in tech across Central Alabama and their allies, a community that is often overlooked and underserved. Tech Equals was started from the need to have spaces where people can connect authentically with others in their profession who share similar experiences, especially as queer identities are not always welcomed or safe to share in the workplace. One highlight of our work is the Rainbow Ventures Summit, which is a free, grant-funded entrepreneurship conference we host each year. It brings queer technologists, entrepreneurs, and allies together to access programming, networking, and resources that might otherwise feel out of reach. At last year’s summit, a small business owner was moved to tears when she found support from another attendee who mentors entrepreneurs and was able to remind her that she is not alone and can reach the support she needs. Stories like hers reflect why this work matters: creating a visible, affirming community where LGBTQ+ people in tech and entrepreneurship feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I currently serve as Senior Manager of Operations & Impact at TechBirmingham, but what I’m talking about today is my position as a founding board member of Tech Equals, Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ affinity group for tech professionals and their allies. I came to Birmingham several years ago from Ann Arbor, Michigan, (though I’m originally from Chicago) through an entrepreneurship fellowship called Venture for America. I was drawn to entrepreneurial spaces and found a natural fit in the city’s incredibly vibrant and growing tech ecosystem. At TechBirmingham, my work blends project and program management with creativity and social impact. I’ve been lucky enough to lead initiatives like the Birmingham Tech Council and Sloss Tech, our region’s largest tech and entrepreneurship conference.
Through Tech Equals, I’ve extended that work into building an affirming, safe, and visible community for LGBTQ+ technologists and entrepreneurs in Central Alabama – we are the first organization in our state to do so. In a climate where queer people are made to feel unsafe, the opportunity to create spaces of safety, support, and celebration is something I am deeply proud of. Through our conference the Rainbow Ventures Summit, additional grassroots community events, and more, the goal is always to connect people, amplify voices, and strengthen the tech community for everyone.
What I’d want readers to know about me and my work is that I’m committed to building ecosystems (organizational, entrepreneurial, and cultural) where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. I feel so lucky to get to do that daily!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I actually met the original founder of Tech Equals the very first time I visited Birmingham, before I had even accepted my job here. I was in town for less than 24 hours and happened to attend a social hour where she was also present. As an out queer person considering a move to a new city, it was incredibly affirming and exciting to meet another queer professional in tech and entrepreneurship right away; it made me certain that I could belong in Birmingham. Once I joined TechBirmingham, we were able to reconnect, and from there we began building the board and shaping the work of Tech Equals together.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our reputation has really grown through partnership and presence. Partnering with TechBirmingham, which has a major footprint in our ecosystem, gave us the platform to connect with their broad community and amplify our work. Just as important, we’ve been intentional about showing up consistently in the central spaces of Birmingham’s tech ecosystem – we’re lucky that there are many well-attended in-person events around town. That visibility and engagement have helped us build trust, foster relationships, and establish Tech Equals as a recognizable, reliable part of the community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tech.equals/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-equals/

Image Credits
Katherine Mullen Photo