Diversity in tech is a big topic. In our conversation with Ashe Dryden, programmer, organizer and diversity consultant, we unpack the many questions, misconceptions, and realities of diversity in our industry. In part I of our interview, Ashe gives us a diversity primer, explains why this topic is so important, and tells us how she’s crafted a conference based on inclusion called AlterConf. In…
I ve been wanting to read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet for a while, and a number of folks on twitter said they d be interested as well. Here s all the information you need to know for the book club. Book Availability: Amazon $7.99-10.47 Local bookstores - may need to contact to order ahead, as it s a relatively new book Libraries - may need to put reservations on the book, as it s likely…
" Ashe Dryden is a programmer, writer, speaker and White House fellow who’s setting out to make the tech industry all about diversity. Passionate about helping others open doors – no matter their gender, race or sexual orientation – Dryden coaches companies to make diversity their number one priority. As the White House fellow for LGBTQ tech, her expertise have garnered attention across the board,…
In this podcast, Ashe discusses how AlterConf will address global issues of diversity while respecting local values; how the Code of Conduct applies in different cultures; why all AlterConf speakers and organizers are paid, not volunteers; and whether AlterConf will ever exhaust the range of topics at the Diversity 201 level. Finally, Ashe also mentions her new project, The Fund Club, which uses…
Thanks to Chris and Dave for having me to talk about AlterConf, Fund Club, and my books! Listen to the podcast on Shop Talk Show
I read far fewer books this year than I did last because I had a ton going on in my life, but still came out with some clear favorites. If you weren t around for last year s list, I make a concerted effort to read books written by and about marginalized people. The books below are in no particular order. If you re looking for good books to take with you on winter vacation or to give for the…
The Summit brought together over 200 of the most innovative and talented LGBTQ technology leaders to tackle some of the world s greatest challenges. We spent the day learning about different issues and breaking out into teams to come up with ways to solve specific problems facing America and the world. Potential challenges included: gun violence prevention, gender equity, big data and privacy,…
Thanks to Liz and Niki for talking about my piece, The Ethics of Unpaid Labor and the OSS Community , on their Pagebreak podcast! "You can t tell me that straight, white, cis men are inherently smarter -- because that s what you re saying when you say they were the only ones who were qualified [for a job]." Listen to the 14:23 podcast.
This piece was originally written for Model View Culture s Surveillance issue in October 2014. Tech news articles preach the dangers of sophisticated programs at startups misusing data we give them, performing sociological experiments on us, or the NSA spying on everything we say and do. But those things are barely on my radar. As an outspoken, queer woman, the internet is a terrifying place. Can…
This year I made a concerted effort to read books almost exclusively by marginalized people. Below are my top 12 of 2014, in no particular order. With a list this short, you could read just one book a month and make it through the year happy with the quality of books you ve read :) 1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [general fiction, feminism] "In America, racism exists but racists are all…