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It’s no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) is currently the talk of the town. On March 30, AfroTech is taking the topic to center stage at AfroTech Executive 2023 in Seattle, WA, where Black corporate executives, investors, and tech moguls will convene. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Jessica O. Matthews, founder and CEO of Uncharted, and Jonnie Bradley, Acting Director and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Official at the U.S. Department of Energy, are set to discuss how to sustainably take control and maximize AI. While AI is being utilized to advance industries, there is the danger of errors and bias on the other side of the coin. To combat such a danger, Larry Adams took action. Adams is the founder and CEO of X_Stereotype, an AI-powered platform that analyzes content through a lens of diversity and inclusion. The company’s website describes it as “the world’s first inclusion operating system eliminating stereotypes and bias in...
If you have virtual assistance, chances are high that it’s been gendered. From leading assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Microsoft’s Cortana, virtual assistants generally default to a female voice, and that’s a problem . Although it may seem trivial, tech can reinforce old stereotypes, even as it innovates. That includes stereotypes of women who only exist to follow orders and please others. In some ways, virtual assistants are like having the ideal stereotype of a secretary sitting on your dresser. To combat this trend, a Denmark-based team recently presented a new voice at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals in Texas, as reported by Reuters . Unlike leading voices, this one is designed to be neither male nor female. Everybody, meet Q . “Hi, I’m Q, the world’s first genderless voice assistant,” Q says for an introduction. “I’m created for a future where we are no longer defined by gender, but rather how we define ourselves.” Q is a joint venture...
For the first time in history, five generations are working side by side in the modern workplace. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, employees bring unique values, work styles, and expectations that influence workplace dynamics. While these differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, businesses that embrace generational diversity can drive innovation, improve collaboration, and strengthen employee engagement. Yet, despite 83% of global executives recognizing the importance of a multigenerational workforce, only 6% have implemented unbiased recruiting processes, according to AARP. Understanding how different generations work, communicate, and respond to change allows organizations to develop a more inclusive and productive environment. Each generation has been shaped by distinct historical events and technological advancements, influencing their workplace behaviors. Traditionalists, born between 1925 and 1945, tend to be disciplined, loyal, and value hierarchical structures. Baby...
British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is helping the next generation pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. In 2021, Hamilton launched Mission 44, a foundation named after his race car number, dedicated to creating equal opportunities for young people worldwide. According to its website, the initiative focuses on advancing education, expanding access to STEM and motorsport careers, and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Initiatives include a motorsport scholarship, created in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, that connects students with industry leaders. Recipients include Gerren Ntir, who earned a bachelor’s degree in motorsport engineering and is now pursuing a master’s. He was part of the scholarship’s second cohort. “Having seen the amazing work Mission 44 has been doing throughout the past year, I knew it was something I wanted to become involved in. Now, embarking on my own journey as one of their...
What wasn’t clear before is crystal clear now: Disney has made its move. For years, the “House of Mouse” danced around the edges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations — sometimes boldly stepping in, other times retreating into the shadows when the heat got too intense. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, Disney maintained an ambiguous stance on DEI, especially as other corporate giants began rolling back their diversity commitments. But that fog has lifted. Now, people know exactly where Disney stands in the thick of America’s ongoing cultural tug-of-war. Disney’s Shift Toward Business-Driven DEI Initiatives In a memo obtained by Axios, Chief H uman Resources Officer Sonia Coleman shared Disney’s new game plan with employees : DEI efforts will no longer be treated as stand-alone social good projects. Instead, they’re being rebranded to focus squarely on driving business outcomes. Translation? Diversity isn’t just about optics anymore — it’s about the bottom...
Southern University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health is breaking barriers and making history in remarkable ways. According to WBRZ-2 News, the Baton Rouge, LA-based Historically Black College and University has achieved a significant milestone by welcoming the largest cohort of Black male nursing students in its history — 33 individuals. “The diversity of males in healthcare is very important for us,” said nursing student James Rodgers. “So to be a part of something like this is legendary for us.” Student Ray Washington added, “I think now other males, younger black males, older males having the opportunity to see what we’re doing here is only going to ignite a fire in them and say we have the opportunity to decide our own story and not allow the world to make that decision for us.” The students are determined to transform the face of healthcare while challenging stereotypes . Their commitment goes beyond caring for their peers; they aspire to make a lasting impact on their...
Buying a home can be an overwhelming and expensive purchase. On Friday, August 30, 2024, the current national average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 6.38%. The interest rates have gotten so high that John Hope Bryant , the founder of Operation HOPE , is trying to convince people that a 40-year mortgage plan is more fair. But when first-time homeowners and first-time investors are listening to Realtors, real estate attorneys and mortgage lenders discuss percentage rates, it may not seem as clear. That is, until new homeowners see property and interest (P&Is) really affect their monthly budget. (Varying property taxes can make budgeting even more complicated.) Photo credit: ArtTower Using Chicago as an example, if you bought a home in the Windy City right now (with very good credit between 700-739) for the city’s average home value of $305K , you’d pay about $1,729 per month for P&I. If that sounds high, the average rent in Chicago is $1,836 per month for a...
In the realm of professional development , the conversation around authenticity and presentation continues to evolve, particularly within diverse communities. Recently, Puerto Rican Chicagoan and plus-size beauty influencer Joolie Annie has been making waves on TikTok with her series addressing the nuances of maintaining demurity in the workplace. Known for her transparency, Joolie Annie has long used her platform to challenge societal norms, embracing her identity as a plus-size transwoman despite the backlash. In this particular series, she blends sarcasm and wit to explore the often-unspoken expectations of beauty and femininity standards at work. With nearly 25 million views on her most popular video, Joolie Annie’s content resonates deeply, especially as she encourages others to embrace their authenticity and create content consistently, even when it’s challenging. Here’s how to keep it demure and mindful at work, according to Joolie Annie. Who Is Joolie Annie? Joolie Annie...
One of the major flaws of artificial intelligence (AI) is that it can reinforce racial bias. As CNN reported, the technology is based on data fed by humans, which can mean the data can be racist and biased. “Remember: AI is just software that learns by example,” Reid Blackman, author of the book, “Ethical Machines,” told CNN. “So if you give it examples that contain or reflect certain kinds of biases or discriminatory attitudes … you’re going to get outputs that resemble that.” The impact of its racial bias continues to disproportionately affect the Black community , including when it comes to resume screening. “And many employers now use AI-driven tools to interview and screen job seekers, many of which pose enormous risks for discrimination against people with disabilities and other protected groups,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote in a 2021 report on how AI can worsen racial and economic inequities. Now, a recent research paper has shown another area where AI...
At the center of Gap’s ethos is a commitment to individuality, creativity and self-expression. And while the company points to one’s fashion sense as a surefire way to incorporate all three into one’s life, it has also intentionally sought ways to ensure that consumers can see their style and values reflected in the brand as well. The Hip-Hop generation will likely recall first becoming aware of Gap’s desire to connect with the culture in 1997, with the iconic LL Cool J commercial. Today, the company continues to foster those cultural moments through unique brand collaborations, and by making sure that those tasked with spearheading these initiatives are people who truly get what these moments can mean when properly executed. “Gap is one of the world’s most beloved brands. People know and love Gap because at our best, we do more than sell clothes. We create conversations,” says Brigid Andrews, who leads the company’s partnerships and collaborations. “By blending creativity with...
Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve all they have achieved. Individuals with impostor syndrome incorrectly attribute their success to luck, or interpret it as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent than they perceive themselves to be. Who Came Up With The Phrase Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome was first identified and coined as a term in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes. In their seminal paper “The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women,” Clance and Imes described imposter syndrome as an internal experience of intellectual phoniness common among...
Even in 2024, workplace microaggressions such as “Is that your real hair?” or “You’re so articulate” persist nationwide. Despite their subtle nature, these behaviors do not go unnoticed, leaving a lasting impact on the workplace atmosphere, morale and creating challenges for those targeted. From making assumptions about one’s abilities based on background to perpetuating stereotypes and using exclusionary language, managing workplace microaggressions requires a thoughtful approach. The first vital step is acknowledging that even well-meant words can cause harm. Building an understanding that unintended comments often reinforce unfair systems allows us to then dismantle that damage. Additionally, self-awareness of our own possible microaggressions, though uncomfortable, can prevent workplace exclusion. According to the 2023 McKinsey & Company report on Women in the Workplace , 78 percent of women resort to self-shielding at work in response to these microaggressions, modifying their...
In today’s digital era, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of marketing strategies for businesses worldwide. As AI-driven marketing continues to gain momentum, it is projected to play a significant role in driving 45% of the total global economy by 2030, according to PWC. However, as AI streamlines marketing efforts, there is a need to balance the technology’s efficiency with the values of authenticity and diversity. Authenticity In Marketing: The Key To Relevance And Trust Authenticity in marketing is crucial for businesses looking to establish relevance and build trust with their customers. In the age of information overload, consumers are increasingly skeptical of traditional marketing tactics that feel disingenuous or manipulative. Instead, they seek genuine connections and experiences with businesses that align with their values and aspirations. Once trust is gone, it’s hard to get back. According to a study from Adobe, 71% of consumers surveyed say they...
For decades on end, individuals from different generations have been engaged in notable conversations about the difference and nuances that exist between them. From Baby Boomers to Gen-Z, every generation has “a way” of doing things that influence the generation’s characteristics and identity. These days, people use TikTok to help spread these messages as well. Viral TikTok star, DeAndre Brown, has taken advantage of this generational phenomenon (specifically between Millennials and Generation Z) with videos meant to poke fun at generation differences in the workplace. As the self-proclaimed “corporate baddy”, Brown soon found that the two generations had more in common than their differences. Based on a report from Insider, Brown is an early 20-something working in consumer banking. He notes that he is the youngest person on his team based in Dallas, TX. It was this age difference that inspired him to join TikTok in mid-2021 to talk through his experience as a recent graduate of...
For many people, the metaverse offers a better, more idyllic world; the world as we’d like it to be. But sadly, human weaknesses often follow us into the virtual realm — and that fact can easily extend to those who help create the metaverse. Without realizing it, harmful preconditions can be easily built into the software that perpetuates stereotypes and prevents metaverse users from enjoying a more inclusive and equal virtual experience. It’s been proven that biases, cultural and ethnic assumptions, and even racism impact the technologies used in digital animation for motion pictures and video games. Those traits can also affect companies that serve the metaverse.