Hip-hop, Hypertext & Hackerspace - Diversity Is Important, But Not For The Reasons You Think

[cubicgarden]

Facilitator - Ikem Nzeribe Type of experience: Discussion Duration: 1hr - 2hrs

Several Silicon Valley companies recently released the diversity figures of their workforces, giving hard demographic data to the well-worn tale of racial and gender under-representation we know all too well.

This brittle monoculture is also reflected at the grassroots - in the code clubs, unconferences and hackerspaces. If, as Apple state, “inclusion inspires innovation”, what can we do to grow computing communities that unlock the rich-but-neglected talent in our urban localities - and how does this benefit our digital ecosystem?

Agenda

1. A presentation: “Music At The Interface Of Black Technological Innovation”
2. A discussion: If hackerspaces are the workshops of tomorrow, how can we make them essential in our communities - and what will they look like? I’m working towards this vision in Moss Side by starting a code club. Please help me build it!

   Participants

Small audiences can contribute directly into the flow of the presentation and I would encourage people to jump in, allowing us to talk about our experiences and ideas with some back-and-forth. With larger groups, we can organise in circles to facilitate good communication, presenting ideas to each other at the end of the session.

Outcome

Let’s stay in touch! Come up to Manchester - teach, share, and contribute how you can.

[cubicgarden]

Something for Ikem - http://www.slideshare.net/cubicgarden/afrofutures