Journalism & Interviews
Hank Williams: Tech is hard for even the most talented African Americans
“Market makers,” wrote American entrepreneur and technologist Hank Williams shortly before he died, “are the folks that help new young companies and entrepreneurs by providing insight, mentoring, capital and relationships. “This part of the tech world is driven by all...
San Francisco voters reject proposition to restrict Airbnb rentals
Published on The Guardian Airbnb has claimed “a victory for the middle class” in San Francisco after voters rejected proposals to restrict short-term vacation rentals.The campaign over Proposition F, or the “Airbnb initiative”, represented a characteristic split...
Protesters occupy Airbnb HQ ahead of housing affordability vote
Originally published in The Guardian Airbnb’s San Francisco headquarters has been occupied by protesters as the debate over affordability of the city’s housing reached fever pitch ahead of a crucial local vote on 3 November.Protesters were campaigning in support of...
Reflecting the Shared Experiences of Her Community: An Interview with Blavity CEO Morgan DeBaun
Originally published on All Digitocracy In a little more than a year, Blavity-the news and entertainment site focused on Black Millenials, has become one of the most innovative voices in online media.Created by Morgan DeBaun and her long time friend Jeff Nelson, the...
Mapping the Musical Genome w/ Pandoras Tim Westergren
The internet is a like a musical easter egg hunt for the dedicated audiophile. Between podcasts, digital downloads, music blogs and the nearly infinite amount of music services, its possible to find just about anything online if youre the persistent type. But if...
Queer Questions Interview: Taijhet Nyobi
Queer Questions is a series of short Q&A’s with writers featured in The Black Futurist Projects: New Queer Black reading and performance on July 6th. Check out the Facebook event page for more info and to RSVP. Taijhet Nyobi is an artist of African descent,...
Queer Questions Interview: Bushmama Africa
Bushmama Africa. Bush (as she is called in community), is currently the Master Teacher at Black Star Academy and poet, workshop facilitator and spiritual healer based in Oakland. As an arts designer, visual and performance artist her past works include: Featured...
Queer Questions Interview: Marvin K. White
Marvin K. White, author of last rights (finalist for Stonewall Book Award and Lambda Literary Award), nothin’ ugly fly (finalist for Lambda Literary Award), Our Name Be Witness and Status, is a poet, performer, playwright, visual artist and community arts organizer....
Juba Kalamka disrupts normative notions of sex and gender
Queer Questions is a series of short Q&A’s with writers featured in The Black Futurist Projects: New Queer Black reading and performance on July 6th. Check out the Facebook event page for more info and to RSVP. Juba Kalamka is a bisexual artist/activist most...
Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghenes Nigerian Dyke Holy Text
Queer Questions is a series of short Q&A’s with writers featured in The Black Futurist Projects: New Queer Black reading and performance on July 6th. Check out the Facebook event page for more info and to RSVP. Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene is an Ijaw and Urhobo...
17 and Cops: Coming of age as a young black man
While 27 seems to be the magic number for rock stars and entertainers, 17 appears to be the golden age when young black men step into their own dark netherworlds. And while the luckiest of us might avoid a pine box or jail cell,...
Southern Living: Richmond, VA
I'm sitting beside a bridge, beside a canal close to the James River, a paperback Cometbus beside me, the sun setting while the Silversun Pickups crank out a set about 20 feet across the water. On the benches near me are young families and old people-others who...