Why it’s important in 3 examples — Designers and developers have huge power in shaping societal norms (when was the last time you met a couple in their 20s who didn’t meet on a dating app?). We also have a huge impact in creating a story and crafting a sort of reality for people that consume the…

The data storytelling and visualization contributions of Ida B. Wells-Barnett and W.E.B. DuBois — When people talk about the pioneers of the data industry, there’s a gravitation to highlight modern well-known computer scientists, artificial intelligence (AI) scientists and machine learning (ML) engineers. If you want a list of data experts, simply type ‘data science experts’, ‘top data scientists’ or ‘pioneers of data science’ on…

People from communities of color are underrepresented in publishing. Our books make up less than six percent of the titles released each year, and that’s despite a century of fighting against the gatekeepers. The results of this systematic exclusion are clear: we are also elided from the national conversation, starting…

A real-life true crime, horror story — Netflix released Monster, a mini-series about the cannibal serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, and the LA Times took a deep dive into allegations of disrespect from the victim’s families and a female crew member. Wounds were reopened for the families that claim that their stories, direct quotes, and court reenactments were…

The public blunders about Juneteenth are endemic to a larger trend of anti-Black racism — A couple weeks ago, Walmart began selling Juneteenth flavored Ice Cream. Yes, you read that right. The flavors mimicking Afro-centric colors paired with corresponding branding that set Twitter ablaze. Following the backlash, Walmart quickly pulled the holiday-themed ice cream flavor from shelves. A lesson that seemingly other companies failed to…

Why every episode of Abbott Elementary illustrates a systemic failure with the K-12 system and what education and policy leaders need to do about it. — At the age of four, my parents enrolled me in Head Start, a government program for the children of low-income working families, and after graduation, I received an opportunity of a lifetime to attend a local private school on full scholarship. Throughout my journey, I have witnessed, firsthand, the lasting…

Representation matters, and so I’m paying close attention to Halle Bailey’s turn as Ariel, aka, the little mermaid, in the upcoming remake of the classic Disney film. …

My people have been systemically denied the promises of Special Field Order #15. A meditation on what it takes to maintain a house. — “Whenever three respectable negroes, heads of families, shall desire to settle on land, and shall have selected for that purpose an island or a locality clearly defined within the limits above designated, the Inspector of Settlements and Plantations will himself, or by such subordinate officer as he may appoint, give…

Airbombing Black people — as American as apple pie — They dropped a bomb on us. They literally dropped a bomb on us. Racist, White Oklahomans used airplanes, guns, rope, and fire to eliminate a wealthy Black neighborhood and its families — Black Wall Street — in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That’s how survivors described it. That’s how their grandchildren described it…

As millions of people across the country take to the streets and raise their voices in response to the killing of George Floyd and the ongoing problem of unequal justice, many people have reached out asking how we can sustain momentum to bring about real change. Ultimately, it’s going to…

Coronavirus exacerbated already existing racial health disparities. Here’s what needs to be done. — As Covid-19 infections continue spreading across the country, it’s become clear that the burden of coronavirus is not being felt equally across racial lines. According to CDC data on Covid-19 hospitalization during the month of March, 33% of hospitalized patients were black despite only being 18% of the surveyed population…

A Story Told in Black and White: Segregation and Injustice in Port Arthur — By Sharon A. Croisant, Hilton Kelley, and Krista Bohn This piece is a part of our Spark series: Environmental Racism and Justice A Story Told in Black and White: Segregation and Injustice in Port Arthur Port Arthur, Texas is a small city in East Texas on the shores of Sabine…

Author Ijeoma Oluo dissects the issue in new book ‘Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America’ — We all joke about having the confidence of a mediocre White man, but New York Times bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo breaks down what this really means in her new book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America. Your ultra average, angry White man didn’t happen by accident. …

Even without bigoted intent, merely making decisions based on white norms can be deadly — The picture above is of a pulse oximeter. You may know that. If you have asthma, COPD, or other lung function issues or have spent any time in a hospital, there’s a good chance you’ve used one at some point. And during the COVID pandemic, suffice to say that this…

Black Twitter isn’t running from Elon and the trolls he inspires. They’re staying and fighting. Here’s why it matters — If you’re thinking of leaving Twitter because you always thought it sucked but never got around to deleting your account, this doesn’t apply to you. If you’re thinking of leaving because you’d rather not sift through ads or pay $8 for verification — apparently needed to help the world’s richest…

An essay about an archaic social contract — Racial etiquette refers to the unspoken expectation that Black people endure racism politely. Under these circumstances, discussing racism is often viewed as a violation of the social contract. Just ask Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently passed legislation to limit discussions about race that could make “white people feed bad.”…

On August 25th, Slack unveiled a new way for developers to connect to Slack, the “Add to Slack” button. It was the culmination of a great deal of work from many Slack employees, and just the beginning of what we have in store for Slack in the near future. …