Race and Tech Policy

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry,
and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry
are equal in value no matter what their color.”
-Maya Angelou

Diversity remains not simply our country’s strength, but our greatest asset. As studies have continuously informed the discussion, higher overall levels of cohesion as well as increased outcomes in job satisfaction, discipline, and retention are associated with more diverse and inclusive work environments. Groups that lack diversity lack depth. Therefore, representation is not a mere moral imperative. Rather, given the dynamic, ever-evolving landscape of the technological sector, it is an absolute necessity.

A diverse team of experts provides a variety of life experience, thought, and perspective that aids in the development of innovative solutions to critical and varied problems facing our interests and safety. In essence, diversity makes us stronger.

Still, the tech sector generally remains homogeneous – male, white, upper-middle class backgrounds. With a diverse set of global threats ranging from critical infrastructure and fair elections to financial markets and disinformation, technologists will be on the front line of safety and security for decades to come. Sometimes, however, the impact is all too real.

In order to ensure the best and brightest with a variety of views and backgrounds, Pretego Press is going to play its part to give them a voice. We hope to be a platform for gifted people of color to identify critical issues at the nexus of technology, policy, and politics that face both their communities and our world in their entirety and what we can do to address them. We desire to be a platform that helps make it easier to find people of color to include on your panels, feature as experts in your media article and keynote your conference. We aspire to be a platform where issues involving tech and race are highlighted and discussed. We intend to be a platform that embraces our greatest asset: diversity.

Today, we’re proud to announce that we are launching two new initiatives. First, if you are a person of color working on technology and policy, please let us know and we will add you to our list. And, second, we will be actively soliciting articles and hosting events around the intersection of technology and race.

In doing so, we want to ensure that others learn from these incredible professionals. We want to  work with them to bring their ideas to the forefront. The fight for a free and just society in the 21st Century is too important to have experienced talent on the sidelines. Our ask: please, submit your name and others to Protego Press, participate in the conversation and help us spread the word and make our community stronger. #raceandtech