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Black Tech Policy Collective

The potential power within for the black ecosystem

ISHVARAUS DAVIS

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MISSION & VISION

Vision

A collective of changemakers that build and influence technology and technology policy to advance the interests of the Black community.

Mission

To empower the Black community with the technology and policy influence required to increase technological agency, algorithmic equity, and economic longevity. We aim for substantive representation in critical technology disciplines and actively engage in shaping tech policy at national, state, and local levels to advance the community.

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ACTION FOR THE COMMUNITY

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STEMM Opportunity Alliance Activation

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We have provided comments on the 2050 Equity Strategy and partnered on the Innovation pillar at their White House Summit

Online Civil Rights Act

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Partnered with the Lawyer’s Committee on their Online Civile Right’s bill where we provided feedback to strengthen the bill

Newsletter

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Released 6 editions of a newsletter that’s rapidly gaining traction for tech + policy topics for the Black community

45 Internal Group Members with > 100 External Followers

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The internal group has grown to 45 internal members across the country, with more than 100 followers on social media

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Durable, Inclusive Tech Policy Power Structure for the Black Community

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Action

Participate in relevant activations that involve anything at the intersection of technology and policy

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Education

Sharing and developing knowledge within and outside of the group to serve as a baseline for action

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Member

Developing new policies, programs, or structures that will better serve the Black community through technology

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Influence

Changing the course of ongoing or potential policies, programs, or structures to better serve the Black community w.r.t. technology

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Durable, Inclusive Tech Policy Power Structure for the Black Community

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Fundraising

Raise money from large and small dollar funders that are passionate about tech and/or tech policy

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Member Dues

Require members to donate a yearly fee in order to be involved with the internal community that we’ve grown

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Grants

Apply for grants at the intersection of tech and tech policy. There are numerous grants out there that fit our cause.

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Newsletter

Begin monetizing the newsletter by asking subscribers to donate as they follow

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UNPRECEDENTED INVESTMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

TECHNOLOGICAL

REVOLUTION

REGRESSIONS FROM THE SUPREME COURT

WE ARE LIVING THROUGH A UNIQUE MOMENT

  • Generative AI
  • Hardware: Semiconductors, Superconductors, Quantum
  • Platform infrastructure
  • CHIPS & Science Act
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
  • Inflation Reduction Act
  • Affirmative Action decision
  • 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
  • Fearless Fund

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CHIPS & SCIENCE

ACT (AUGUST 2022)

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE

DEAL (NOVEMBER 2021)

INFLATION REDUCTION

ACT (AUGUST 2022)

WHY NOW? PT. 2

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  • Broadband Access: $65 Billion dollars to make high-speed broadband available to all Americans.
  • Regional Innovation: Regional Tech + Innovation Hubs, Recompete
  • Energy: $67 Billion toward clean energy including regional innovation program
  • Science: > $100M toward broadening research capabilities
  • Semiconductors: $52.7 Billion investment to onshore R&D along with manufacturing
  • Justice40 Initiative: At least 40% of the benefits of the bill flow to marginalized communities

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RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES

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FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE

Policy engaged technologists

Cohesive black tech + policy ecosystem

Community empowerment through technology

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BLACK TECH + POLICY ECOSYSTEM

Advocacy

Research/ Think Tanks

Membership Organizations

Policy Implementation

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Organizational Inspiration

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  • Mission: To develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future
  • Funding streams: Foundations ($3.2M), Corporate ($700k), Other Income ($270k)
  • Unique capability: In addition to research and networking teams, they have a Lab to build technology that advances their interests

Foundation for American Innovation

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2024-2025 BTPC Strategy

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H2 2025

Phase 4

  • Develop Open-Source engineering projects through the Lab
  • Foster connections with relevant agencies (e.g. NSF, Commerce, NIST)
  • Influence House & Senate committees through amendments, letters, and questions

H1 2025

Phase 3

  • Begin writing Op-Eds, White Papers, etc.
  • Connect with every office on House SST and E&C, Senate Commerce
  • Establish connections with CBA, SBLSC, CBC, Joint Center, etc.

H2 2024

Phase 2

  • Establish engineering lab to build responsible tech (procure GPUs)
  • Hire research and policy fellows to increase capacity
  • Grow online audience (organic, ads, WoM)

H1 2024

Phase 1

  • Internal information sharing and upskilling
  • Establish public presence (Socials, Newsletter, Website)
  • Respond to comments (led by group leads)

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Strategy for 2026 & Beyond

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2027 (and beyond)

Phase N

  • Place fellows in Congress and in the Executive Branch
  • Expand the membership to college students
  • Work with international governments (especially Africa)
  • Partner with Black-owned businesses in heavily regulated orgs
  • Begin Impact Investing in other organizations that fit the mission

2026

Phase 5

  • Conduct original policy research
  • Convene roundtables and events
  • Form partnerships with other organizations (e.g. /Dev/Color, Blacks in Cybersecurity, etc.)
  • Expand influence to State and local governments
  • Increase technology capacity of HBCUs