LWT Summit: Speak Up. Stand Up. Show Up.
Last week, I learned about the cardón cactus; it’s the tallest cactus in the world, and it doesn’t need soil to grow. Instead, it grows from symbiotic relationships at its roots. I couldn’t have asked for a better frame as I prepped for the Lesbians Who Tech Summit in NY, which is a space created to allow those kinds of relationships — ones that are mutually beneficial and also serve the larger community — to grow among queer women and allies.
During the summit I led a session “Reframing Tech + Politics” where we used a design thinking tool for get a new perspective on core beliefs about the challenges we face. We used four steps in which we took a core belief about the impossibility of 100% voter turnout in the U.S. and flipped it to a new belief to work from: “People need voice, not just votes.”
In this session, we explored issues that intersect with and impact voter turnout, some of which include suppression, eligibility, racism and (dis)trust in the current processes. The online Reframe tool we used was developed by faculty at the THNK School of Creative Leadership. Feel free to give it a try on your own or with your team.
I can’t say enough about the brilliance I experienced at this summit, but here are some of the talks and moments that resonated with me most:
- Stacey Abrams, Candidate for Governor of Georgia and an unapologetic ally of the LGBTQ community shared ways that allies can speak up, stand up and show up. She spoke on accountability and how critical it is for allies to keep their commitments. I’m so incredibly proud to work with the Stacey Abrams team through Hustle as she works to become the first Black woman Governor in the history of the United States. Here’s a clip from her talk.
- Sasha Neha Ahuja of August Public provided us with tangible actions to undo racism in our organizations. Check out her deck from the summit.
- I had a full circle moment watching my good friend, Safi Mojidi, drop all kinds of knowledge on cyber security and its relevance in our lives. Safi and I met through college basketball and started a small web design business together. Ten years later, Safi is a Cyber Security SME for MindPoint Group and currently working on the NASA Cloud Project. No big deal.
- Imani Rupert-Gordon of Affinity Community Services, illuminated ways that we can and should be using intersectional approaches to enhance A.I. and UX.
- Planned Parenthood is at the forefront when it comes to leveraging tech in advocacy and activism. I’m so grateful to work with them to implement Hustle as they fight for our reproductive rights and sexual health. In an obviously stressful time for the organization, Executive Director of PPFA, Dawn Laguens shared that “Planned Parenthood has survived these government attacks and will remain inclusive and badass.”
- Luvvie Ajayi, New York Times best-selling author, speaker and digital strategist challenged us to speak up and inspire others to do the same. Video
- Angélique Roché of Ms. Foundation and Michelle Ortiz of Emily’s List talked about the importance of investing resources in work that is done by and for communities through multi-year grants. Fund people who know the issues best, they’ll also have the best solutions. Video
Like humans do when they’re feeling safe and affirmed, people connected at the LWT Summit. There was a creative flow with expansive consideration and awareness for what and how we build together.
More top moments from the Summit.
