Putting Tech Policy Aside to Address Systemic Inequalities
In light of recent nationwide protests over police brutality and systemic racism, we’re putting our normal newsletter on hold this week in order to focus on organizations working to address those issues. Technology policy has a role to play in making sure people can stay connected and informed, and the tech industry has a long road ahead in addressing its own systemic inequality. But we’re spending this time listening to and highlighting organizations that have been working to address these issues on a larger scale, and we encourage you to do the same.
Please consider supporting the nonprofit civil rights organizations below that are working tirelessly to combat racial injustice across the United States.
Color of Change: Founded after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Color of Change—the nation’s largest online racial justice organization—is working to mobilize, engage, and strengthen the political voice of African Americans across the country.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: Established by members of the Congressional Black Caucus more than 40 years ago, the nonprofit foundation and research institute offers education, healthcare, and economic development programs.
Race Forward: The nonprofit organization works with communities, policymakers, and other institutions to advance racial justice for all people of color.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: The committee has been working for more than 50 years to combat racial injustices in the legal system by enlisting help from the leadership of the private bar to address inequalities confronting people of color.
Advancement Project: The nonprofit organization focuses on racial justice and equality in education, the criminal justice system, immigration, and political engagement.
These broader societal problems are also reflected in the tech sector’s lack of diversity. Here are some organizations that are working to promote diversity and inclusion across the tech industry and startup communities. Please also consider supporting these groups in their work to embolden and lift up entrepreneurs of color.
Code2040: The nonprofit community is focused on removing structural barriers that prevent Black and Latinx entrepreneurs from participating in the tech ecosystem. Code2040 offers a number of programs to encourage the participation of underrepresented communities in tech, including residency and fellowship programs that enable entrepreneurs of color to gain the hands-on experience and support needed to launch their own businesses.
Change Catalyst: The company is working to create diverse and inclusive workplaces on a global scale. Change Catalyst offers tech inclusion programs to promote equality across the entire tech sector, as well as startup ecosystem programs to enable underrepresented entrepreneurs and investors to launch and support diverse startups.
Black Founders: The organization’s mission is to increase the number of successful black entrepreneurs pursuing startups in the tech ecosystem. Black Founders is working to increase the number of black-owned firms by building connections with universities, companies, and other foundations to support a more diverse tech community.
Black Girl Ventures: The organization is working to provide women of color with the access, skills, and resources they need to grow and scale their startups. Black Girl Ventures also hosts pitch competitions in cities across the U.S., and the organization has pledged to accelerate 100,000 black and brown women-identifying entrepreneurs through community building programs.=
Code Fever: The organization’s goal is to address “innovation deserts” by offering coding classes, digital literacy programs, and education services to entrepreneurs of color looking to start businesses that can operate as local hubs of innovation and economic growth. Code Fever also hosts an annual conference, Blacktech Week, that works to connect black founders with networking opportunities and venture capital firms.
