• Building Multicultural Institutions
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 6: Building Multicultural Institutions: Insights from Inclusive Leadership and Community Organizing*

    Jocelyn Macdougall hosts a panel discussion with Aniyia Williams, Xiaowei Wang, Karina Cabrera Bell, and Deldelp Medina on multicultural institution building.

    The panel explores key aspects such as inclusion, resilience, power dynamics, and leadership accountability within organizations. They share personal experiences, organizational insights, and tactical strategies for fostering inclusive cultures, addressing DEI fatigue, and ensuring shared responsibility.

    The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating existing systems versus building new ones and emphasizes the importance of embedding equitable practices at the core of institutional frameworks.

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    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction and Panelist Introductions

    00:46 Defining Multicultural Institution Building

    01:07 Personal Experiences with Multiculturalism

    04:08 Challenges and Tensions in Multicultural Workplaces

    06:50 Revisiting the Concept of Multiculturalism

    11:20 Building Inclusive Institutions

    16:57 Leadership and Institutional Change

    20:18 Worker Organizing and Solidarity

    22:18 Navigating Institutional Failures and Building New Models

    36:02 Consumer Influence and Brand Inclusivity

    37:53 On Commitment to Lifelong Learning

    39:17 The Necessity of Multicultural Institutions

    40:03 Challenges in DEI Advocacy

    43:46 Resilience in DEI Work

    52:10 Accountability and Shared Responsibility

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    56 mins
  • The Art and Science of Building Community
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 5: The Art and Science of Building Community*

    Aniyia Williams, lead of The Tech We Want, initiates a rich conversation with key community facilitators Maxine Yeo, Heather Mason, Chloe Jackman, and Prodpran Wangcherdchuwong on the importance of in-person gatherings.

    They delve into the science and human connection benefits of these face-to-face interactions, the challenges and intentionality in planning them, and the meticulous considerations required to build trust and foster impactful dialogues.

    The discussion also touches on the broader implications of creating inclusive spaces, the intricacies of relationship management, and the continuous evolution of their community-building techniques.

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    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction and Team Introductions

    02:36 The Importance of In-Person Gatherings

    08:35 Challenges and Trust in Building Communities

    13:14 Lessons from Public Consultation and Engagement

    17:43 Intentionality in Event Planning

    23:28 The Role of Relationship Management

    25:54 The Invitation to Join Us

    26:18 The Beauty of Collective Growth

    27:24 Creating Reciprocal Relationships

    28:50 Challenges in Public Events

    30:51 Navigating Power Dynamics

    32:28 Facilitation and Vulnerability

    37:46 The Role of Professional Facilitators

    39:11 Building Inclusive Spaces

    49:34 The Impact of Event Staff

    51:22 Reflections and Future Goals

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    52 mins
  • Driving Responsible Innovation for a New Economy
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 4: Driving Responsible Innovation for a New Economy*

    Aniyia Williams, lead of The Tech We Want, hosts a panel with four influential tech leaders—Susan Mac Cormac, Coraline Ada Ehmke, Christie Pitts, and Shu Dar Yao—to discuss creating tools for a new, inclusive economy and their roles in it.

    The conversation dives into the challenges of current financial frameworks, the need for diversity in venture capital and tech, and innovative solutions such as Public Benefit Corporations and ethical licensing.

    The panel emphasizes the importance of reshaping the capital market, fostering accountability in tech, and the pivotal role of diverse perspectives in driving sustainable progress.

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    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction and Panelist Introductions

    02:46 Defining the Problem Space

    03:19 Challenges in the Funding Environment

    04:37 Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics

    09:48 The Role of Open Source in Tech

    12:35 Fiduciary Duty and Broader Implications

    18:00 Alternative Models and Solutions

    33:18 Introduction to Ethical Technology

    33:38 The Role of Open Source in Business

    34:26 Hippocratic License: Ensuring Ethical Use

    35:46 Licensing Models and Mission Lock

    37:42 Perpetual Purpose Trust and Public Charities

    39:55 Challenges in Venture Capital and Governance

    41:15 Reimagining Capitalism and Funding Mechanisms

    47:02 The Impact of Venture Capital on Labor Rights

    51:38 Leveraging Industry Leaders for Change

    55:51 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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    58 mins
  • Building Alternative Tech Ecosystems
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 3: Building Alternative Tech Ecosystems*

    In this insightful panel discussion led by Aniyia Williams, leaders in technology and responsible innovation come together to explore the complexities of building alternative tech ecosystems centered on power sharing and accountability.

    The conversation features Anamitra Deb of Omidyar Network, Deldelp Medina of Black & Brown Founders, Coraline Ada Ehmke of the Organization for Ethical Source, and Sherelle Dorsey, author and entrepreneur.

    Key topics include defining ecosystem work, the role of philanthropy, equity in tech, and the need for a human-centric approach to innovation with an emphasis on shared agency. The panelists discuss challenges such as ineffective programs, the overemphasis on funding rather than revenue, burnout among key players, and the lack of preparation for future jobs.

    They also explore actionable steps towards creating more inclusive and resilient ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of relational trust, community support, and the willingness to imagine and build hopeful futures.

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    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction and Panelist Introductions

    01:07 Defining Ecosystems and Ecosystem Builders

    02:50 Challenges and Realities of Ecosystem Building

    04:57 The Role of Programs and Funding in Ecosystem Building

    06:17 Open Source and Ecosystem Perspectives

    08:12 Philanthropy and Ecosystem Support

    10:33 Critiques and Future Directions for Ecosystem Work

    11:55 Lifelong Learning and Educational Gaps

    26:41 Intergenerational Leadership and Industry Challenges

    32:12 Challenging Traditional Career Paths

    34:13 Technology's Impact on Society

    42:09 Trust-Based Philanthropy

    44:00 The Role of Philanthropy in Social Change

    56:47 Hope and Stories for a Better Future

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Building Cultural Infrastructure & Governance for Equitable Tech Movements
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 2: Building Cultural Infrastructure & Governance for Equitable Tech Movements*

    In this episode, Jocelyn Macdougall, lead facilitator of The Tech We Want, discusses with panelists Coraline Ada Ehmke, Marco Rogers, and Aniyia Williams the essential cultural infrastructure and governance practices needed for building equitable tech communities and institutions.

    They delve into their personal experiences, conflicts, and the importance of establishing relational trust and collective accountability. The panelists share insights on open source communities, the role of values and governance, and the challenges of co-creating cultural infrastructure. This episode provides a deep dive into the work of making tech spaces more inclusive and just.

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    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction to The Tech We Want

    00:50 Meet the Panelists

    02:40 Defining Cultural Infrastructure

    03:55 Open Source and Cultural Infrastructure

    10:05 Personal Stories of Cultural Infrastructure

    14:15 Challenges in Implementing Cultural Infrastructure

    24:17 The Role of Employee Resource Groups

    28:45 Facing Disappointment and Conflict in the Workplace

    30:21 Navigating Corporate Values and Realities

    32:01 Legal Ramifications and Corporate Culture

    36:07 The Role of Governance and Accountability

    41:19 Building Trust and Relationships in Tech Communities

    55:12 Challenges of Co-Governance and Community Expansion

    57:09 Conclusion and Future Directions

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    56 mins
  • Cultivating Ethical Leadership in Technology
    Feb 28 2025

    The Tech We Want is on a mission to create a transformative tech ecosystem by uniting, empowering and amplifying marginalized leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Our mission is to collectively foster a future where everyone can thrive by collaboratively experimenting with and funding innovative cultural and economic infrastructures.

    Tech Confidential is a panel series that brings together tech founders, investors, operators and organizers to discuss the work of building visionary alternatives that center human thriving and responsible innovation. Drawing on three years of work of building The Tech We Want, the series examines the emergent questions and challenges of building a new economy.

    *Episode 1: Cultivating Ethical Leadership in Technology*

    In this episode, Jocelyn Macdougall, a lead facilitator with The Tech We Want, hosts a profound discussion on nurturing the next generation of ethical leaders in the tech industry.

    The panel features creators and leaders Coraline Ada Ehmke, Jasmine Sun, Ariam Mogos, Marco Rogers, and Julia Solano. They explore the importance of responsible innovation, the current state of technology leadership, and the role of mentorship and community.

    The conversation delves into the potential of universal ethical codes in tech, the challenges of implementing such frameworks within entrenched organizations, and the significance of centering marginalized communities.

    They reflect on their experiences working with The Tech We Want and share insights on fostering inclusive and values-driven tech environments.

    Highlights:

    00:00 Introduction and Panel Overview

    00:53 Panelist Introductions

    06:19 State of Leadership in Tech

    08:04 Intergenerational Leadership and Mentorship

    09:56 Redefining Success in Tech

    15:36 Ethical Tech Education

    23:14 Universal Code of Ethics in Tech

    31:04 The Apprenticeship Model and Capitalism's Incentives

    31:56 Accountability in Engineering vs. Software

    33:47 Ethics and Professional Organizations in Tech

    35:23 Prototyping with Ethical Implications

    37:51 Peer Communities and Mentorship

    43:07 Centering the Margins in Tech

    46:44 Challenges of Diversity and Inclusion in Hierarchical Organizations

    50:06 Building a Multicultural Institution

    55:54 Reflections on Ethical Leadership

    58:37 Conclusion and Future Conversations

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    1 hr