A guide to investing for racial equity
"It’s time to 'own what we own' and align all of our actions and our assets with the world that we want to see — a world that is just and inclusive," writes Nia Global Solutions' Kristin Hull.
In June 2020, Racial Equity Month, Technical.ly is focusing extra reporting on systemic racism, as well as the work being done to increase access and representation for people who have been historically left out of local tech economies. Some big questions we'll seek to answer: How can the opportunities of tech become more accessible for people of all races? What organizations and people are doing the most interesting and impactful racial equity work?
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The two-year-old public charter school serving minority middle schoolers has equipped each of its students with a Chromebook and internet access so they can learn at home.
"It’s time to 'own what we own' and align all of our actions and our assets with the world that we want to see — a world that is just and inclusive," writes Nia Global Solutions' Kristin Hull.
While many have lauded corporate responses to civil unrest, the attorney and hip-hop artist who lectures on African African history and culture remains skeptical.
Power Home Remodeling's director of cultural diversity and inclusion outlines the company's efforts to attract, retain and grow diverse talent.
Drawing on conversations and articles we've published over the past month, here's a roadmap to keep the calls for change from recent protests alive.
This June, Technical.ly covered inequity in companies, communities and systems amid an ongoing, nationwide civil rights call. Here's what we found.
Parity founder Bree Jones was voted by her peers as the winner of the $25,000 prize to close out SIL's latest cohort of impact ventures. The company was founded to give legacy residents in disenfranchised communities a seat at the table in their own community’s redevelopment.
Economy League's Mohona Siddique on how employers can uplift Philadelphia’s Black workforce.
The consensus from these HR pros: Address current events with compassion and genuine plans of action.
Up to 150 D.C. students can attend a weeklong virtual tech camp for free, thanks to a partnership between iD Tech and Salesforce that stemmed from a Howard University connection.
Smith & Roller's Tayyib Smith and Constellar Corporation's Guy Laren say the center would expand the pool of business resources outside of Center City and into West Philly.
The entrepreneur offers a searing critique: "Does Delaware truly provide the access to education, networks and funding necessary for all entrepreneurs to thrive? The answer is no."
The Black-owned food delivery service is partnering with the Black-owned digital design biz for an improved app as it expands beyond Philadelphia.
"Now more than ever, the role of Black lawyers is critical to the advancement of defending Black lives when others fail to hear the call to duty," writes Kisha A. Brown, founder of Justis Connection.
In a virtual fireside chat with Nate Nichols, Loop & Tie's Benish Shah shared how business leaders can better support Black employees in this moment.
Since it was initially announced, the funding pool for local social justice-minded organizations increased to $13,000.
Amid the nationwide reckoning with systemic racism, Baltimore companies are commemorating the freedom of enslaved people by offering time off, and resources.
Local employers are making the date that marks widespread freedom from slavery in the U.S. a holiday, for the first time ever. Here's why, and what the reaction has been.
Technical.ly won't be publishing this Friday to give our teammates the opportunity to commemorate this important part of U.S. history, and our country's legacy of uneven access to freedom.
It’s not enough to hire a diverse staff, but to ensure inclusion, writes technologist Eva Reid. Organizations need to ask: "Do we care about the whole person?"
Thoughts on identity, belonging and action from Technical.ly Business Development Manager Alex Galiani.
"Yes, we're still going to be known for our events, and education and networking, but it's been a dream to also be a part of funding," PSL Executive Director Kiera Smalls said.
From photos of airbrush memorials of victims of police brutality to poignant graphics telling you not to look away, social media can help people better understand the moment.
From lack of federal relief funding to lack of contracts, here's what one popular Black-owned founder is really going through.
"Whether we choose to take the zeitgeist of this moment and act in a decisive way to effectuate the change we are calling for or merely continue to talk about it happening someday remains to be seen," writes Millennial Summit organizer and Spur Impact ED Charlie Vincent.
Inclusive Innovation Incubator founder Aaron Saunders calls for ongoing support for organizations like his supporting technologists, entrepreneurs and creatives from underrepresented backgrounds.
Shannon Morales launched the local chapter of Techqueria, as well as the new "Philly Hires Black" pledge through her diversity-focused startup, Echo Me Forward, to support underrepresented communities of color.
"The venture capital industry, as well as business in general, has to step up to and confront its role in the institutional racism that continues to perpetuate this injustice," writes Jeff Cherry of Conscious Venture Lab and SHIFT Ventures.
Through the fund, underrepresented communities in tech will receive a $2,500 for tech bootcamps at universities like John Hopkins.
"What comes of this will deeply impact whether I decide to remain at the organization or not," one startup employee told us.
The promise of objective, unbiased technology didn’t pan out. Instead the technology created new problems, including highlighting the lack of accountability for high-profile instances of police violence.
“If we can all agree that being black is not easy, we should similarly agree that being black and being a founder is at least twice as hard,” writes Fixt CEO Luke Cooper.
Points of contention include assigning police to decision-making roles in a task force proposed to explore the possibility of a Community Review Board.
A shared vocabulary is the necessary first step for discussing racial equity. Here's a glossary of terms you might find useful.
What started as a small GroupMe chat of folks who replied to a tweet less than two weeks ago transformed into a highly recognized group organizing thousand-person marches.
Innovation Works President A. Jay Nwachu shares a roadmap for discussing George Floyd's death in the workplace, and creating a path for sustained action.
Hear from two diversity and cultural competency experts on long-term change and short-term starts on this episode of The TWIJ Show from Technical.ly.
Dr. Dan Young, director of the Doctor of Business Administration Program at Goldey-Beacom College, says more Black business professors would lead change on multiple levels.
Tell Technical.ly how recent incidents of police brutality and the resulting protests are being addressed in your workplace, and we may include your anonymous response in a roundup.
"Race is still one of the main topics that isn’t acceptable to discuss in a professional setting, but it’s time for that to change. It’s time to get comfortable with uncomfortable conversations," writes Fearless CEO Delali Dzirasa.
Racial bias in the media is harming Black communities. Chandra Pitts is working to upend the current standard.
From dating apps to hiring consultants, if you haven't heard of them, get to know them now.
"I believe the pandemic and the George Floyd movement are so intertwined," writes Alignstaffing CEO Aaron Copeland.
The commitment is hopefully one of many, as momentum for the idea grows, PSL Executive Director Kiera Smalls said.
Over half a century of shining lights on racism has not eradicated the darkness of inequality, though the methods of shining those lights have evolved.
This Movement Alliance Project initiative organizes for new city policies and raises awareness via social media campaigns.
With all eyes on social media, here's one way to boost awareness.
Here's a look at notes CEOs sent to teams to start conversations, and how they're thinking about systemic change.
Alanah Nichole compiles people, accounts and shops to watch, follow, and patronize to give your Black friends and colleagues a much-needed break.
The president and CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE on what we must all do to pick up the pieces of racism's ruins.
Alongside calls of Black Lives Matter, we're taking a deeper look at systemic racism and efforts to increase access in tech, entrepreneurship and society.
Company heads from Halcyon, Byte Back, Hatch, Upside Business Travel and MemoryWell share how they're dealing with systemic injustices against Black Americans from within.
Fifty years ago, following civil unrest not unlike that of today, business and civic leaders took the city into an era of aggressive policing and economic decline. Now, we must again choose a path.
Company leaders have been making space for their teams to process the underlying causes of this past week's ongoing protests in the region and across the country.
"We do not need to return to normal," writes Points North Studio CEO Jessica Watson. In a resource-rich essay, she offers steps to take today that will impact tomorrow.
Most people want to help in some way when there's racial unrest. Don't forget about racism when the fires go out.
We've learned a lot from these engineers and organizers over the years. Seek them out on social media and boost their perspective.
We're experiencing civil unrest due to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. I've spent the last three days and nights out at protests in D.C. Here's my experience.
These nonprofits and advocacy groups have made public pledges, organized cleanups and called for action after a weekend of protests and riots.
The Employee Cycle cofounder and CEO on how he and his company as responding to systemic racism — and what he expects from his community.
The Happied founder offers recommendations on being actively anti-racist.
From creating space for dialogue to offering Black-led funding, here's how Baltimore tech companies are responding to systemic inequities.
Companies cannot ignore that we are experiencing civil unrest, a pandemic and the worst recession and unemployment rate in modern history.
It's not just a shopping district. Market Street has repeatedly been the site of Black resistance.
Coded by Kids' founder and CEO on the importance of discussing the country's long history of oppression.
The Vinetta Project DC's director offers advice for organizational leaders on how to acknowledge the moment and fight systemic racism through their work.
The Design Jawn founder addresses those in power within tech and innovation circles.
Short Order Production House's founder on hypocrisy in the business class.
The weekend's protests demanding justice in George Floyd's death underscored how voters and business leaders have a role in addressing systemic racism.
Follow them on Twitter; boost their perspective.
After a weekend of social unrest, it's important to be reminded that white leaders must create the space for honest dialogue and action.
Philly Startup Leaders' executive director issues a call to action for local biz leaders to respond to systemic racism.