Silicon Values
I’m super excited about a new project that I’m working with some likeminded young creatives/technologists through the World Economic Forum focused on technology and values. It’s called Silicon Values (cute name, right?) and it’s goal is to start a conversation around diversity and the “filter bubble”. What does that really mean? Well the concept, sparked [...]
The Lost Lessons
I love this generation. I love how fast we can get things done. I love how much we appreciate the hybrid nature of just about everything – business, social good, identities, cars…we just get it. I love how we create and innovate. And how much we care. I appreciate the willingness to experiment and try [...]
Rick Ross, Reebok and Picking Your Battles
Rick Ross has finally apologized for his rape lyrics. For real this time. I guess getting dropped by Reebok made him (and his publicist) finally understand. Even so, many people have been asking me if all of this “drama” was worth it (and by drama they mean a blazing hot social media campaign and in [...]
IMPACT Reading: The Icarus Deception
The newest book by Seth Godin is out and I suggest you get it. If you’ve ever read any of his other books, you know that it’s not War & Peace. Like his blog, it’s a simple book with a lot of hyperbole and short, declarative sentences and repetition – and attitude. Which is exactly why I [...]
Summit on the Global Agenda: Dubai, Social Media & the Big, Big World
First off, Dubai. What an unbelievably interesting and beautiful place. There are words for how unique, how alive, how rich (both in money & history!) this city was. It was ancient, it was modern. It was Arab, it was Westernized. It was desert, it was beach. In short, it was everything. Now on to the [...]
Repost: Erica Williams on Social Change, Technology, Activism
Originally posted at Groundwire.com in preparation for my keynote talk in October: This is a truly exciting time – to be an activist, to be young, to be alive. The world is changing at a rapid pace and so is the technology that can help us make those changes positive and lasting. For years I’ve [...]
ESSENCE magazine feature: Young, Black & Amazing
August Issue just hit the newsstands. What an honor to be included.
Tip of the Day: Arrogance vs. Confidence
Today I was asked to give a few tips to young women just starting out their career. I said that the most important tip was to be confident – in who you are, what you know, what you can do, and what you want. Even when it seems foolish to do so. However, I quickly [...]
Doing Good vs. Being Good: Life & Career
Read a David Brooks’ New York Times column today about the limited ways in which many young people view their career options. The piece didn’t offer that much in depth analysis and was kind of all over the place, but it had a few points worth sharing – both of which speak directly to the [...]
Next Generation Media: Abroad & at Home
Today I had the opportunity to present at Internews 30th Anniversary event. Internews is kicking off this anniversary year by launching a project called InternewsNext that will highlight and support 30 under-30 led media projects around the world to showcase the future of media. The first presenter was a producer from M@trix, a youth-oriented TV [...]
106 & Park: Racial Realities
Had the pleasure of being on BET’s 106 & Park live last night for a 2 hour special on race, justice, and racial profiling, sparked by the Trayvon Martin tragedy. The show was thorough and in depth – reminded me of old Teen Summit episodes! Was honored to be a part and share the stage [...]
4 Things to Share about Trayvon Martin
Beyond sharing pictures and graphic details, here are four pieces of information you should share when talking about this tragedy: 1. George Zimmerman identifies as Latino. Fox News asks “Does Race Play a Role Even Though Zimmerman is Latino, Not White?” The answer is yes. Racial profiling is not about the race of the profiler [...]
#SXSW
Just got to Austin for SXSW. I’m here mainly for Interactive, though I have access to the Film track too. We’ll see if I sneak off to see anything… Things I’m looking foward to: 1. My panel. Obvi. 2. Baratunde Thurston’s keynote. He’s a cool dude. 3. Wearing my hipster glasses. 4. Meeting ______, learning [...]
OVERHEARD: Desmond Tutu at WEF
If you follow me on twitter you know that I like to post quotes a lot. During the day I pick up on little “nuggets of wisdom” from people everywhere I go…and I go a lot of places. The good thing about twitter is that I can share with you in real time. The bad [...]
The State Dept Helped Me Become Miscellaneous
A few weeks ago a producer for the U.S. Department of State left a voicemail on my desk landline, which I pretty much never check. It said that he had been trying to locate me for weeks. was hoping this was the right number, and wanted to shoot a video profile on me asap. I [...]
#Now Playing: Words I Never Said
Check out this new Lupe Fiasco featuring Skylar Grey. Clearly political in nature, he touches on war, education, Obama, Islamophobia, voting and…a little 9/11 conspiracy theory (yikes). Do we love it? Click here to play: Lupe Fiasco- Words I Never Said ft Skylar Grey
The Grio.com’s 100 History Makers
Last week a twitter follower suggested that I use Black History Month to highlight important but often overlooked African American women history makers, past and present. I thought this was a great idea and had planned to kick the month off today with someone extraordinary….Then the 2011 Grio’s 100 History Makers list, released this morning, [...]
Will.i.am to do something cool
Big news: Intel has recently named Will.i.am as the Director of Creative Innovation, partnering with him on a “multi-year, hands-on creative and technology collaboration,”. As someone who has a history of ambiguous but impressive sounding job titles, I’m not hating on the vagueness at all, even if that description does use every single next generation [...]