We believe that Black Lives Matter.
The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police last month — along with the earlier murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery — has highlighted the violence and systemic racism that Black people face on a daily basis in America. We are encouraged by the calls for justice that have sprung up across the nation, and recognize the decades-long work by activists that has allowed this moment to happen.
We know that the tech industry has failed to adequately address racism within the industry. Less than 5% of hires at major tech companies are Black, social media companies have turned a blind eye to racism on their platforms, and technologies like artificial intelligence have been imbued with our own biases. It’s clear that a statement isn’t enough — tech companies and organizations like Code the Dream must do more to combat racism in our industry and in our nation.
Today as we celebrate Juneteenth, we are having broader conversations about how Code the Dream can work towards racial justice. This is a time to reflect on the wrongs of the past (and present), as well as our hopes for the future.
Ensuring that people of color have equal access to opportunity is what Code the Dream is all about — ensuring that Black and Brown lives have all paths open to them, and that our ideas are equally valued and made manifest, including in the technologies we build.
Equal opportunity is only part of the solution — we need to build technology that works towards justice. One of our newest projects, NC Fair Chance, is a step in that direction. 1 in 5 people in North Carolina has a criminal record, and even charges that are later dismissed or not guilty can lead to years of discrimination and lost wages — a system and a stigma that disproportionately affect people of color. Led by NC Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, NC Fair Chance helps give people a chance to clear their name, find better housing, and get better jobs.
NC Fair Chance is just the beginning of the anti-racist technology that we hope to build. We know that the work of justice is ongoing, and we commit to continuing this work. We hope you’ll join us in this continuing effort.
We hope you have a reflective, energizing, and happy Juneteenth!