Sunday, March 20, 2011

An African American futurist without a digital vision?

Nat Irvin, II, provided groundbreaking demographic research for the future of African Americans in business and challenged traditional stereotypes. He is noted for many profiles including a new breed of forward-thinking, globally tuned African Americans who bring a “no-limits” approach to doing business (Read more).

In 1996, he founded Future Focus 2020, a non-profit think tank dedicated to examining the impact of upcoming, permanent changes in business, social and economic cultures. He predicts that by 2020, the United States will have elected its first African American president - President Obama was a big surprise and not even on the radar -  a woman graduate from a historically Black college. His president is predicted to be is a Green Party nominee. He also predicts that more African Americans than ever will enter business and begin to close the gaps between our community and the majority community. Unfortunately, I could not find any information about the plentiful opportunities for minorities that will emerge in renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grid, broadband and water development due to the fact that traditional comparative solutions are losing societal support. This shift would provide being incentives for both groups to forge sustainable relationships  The challenge is getting minorities in position to receive funding opportunities without depending on current incumbents' credit or approval.

Futurist Intellectual Think Tank - a equity opportunity?

William E. B. Du Bois, an African American futurist, said: “The problem of the twentieth century will be the problem of the color line.” Unfortunately, as the lines of racial and ethnic diversity expand, redlining expands as well.

The University of Texas at Austion, provides a good conceptual picture for a Black Futurist Intellectual Think Tank,  but very little regarding the performance, outcomes or benefits. Basically,, each year a Black Futurist Intellectual Think Tank forum allegely convene at the University of Texas Center for Black Business History, Entrepreneurship and Technology but no progress reports are provided. Should more be done and provided publically to assure more inclusionary practices in futurist activities? 

Monday, March 7, 2011

"Race"-ing to Equity: A Toolkit and Tale of Two Cities - John A. Powell

A great toolkit and tale to be used in urban and rural areas were digital technologies equity are not part of the public policies. Please share your comments or views.

Our understanding of Opportunity has changed over time….
STRUCTURAL RACIALIZATION AND SYSTEMS THINKING