Honest Conversations: Race, Power, & Digital Justice - a BIPOC Mini-Conf

As the world becomes increasingly digital, how do we ensure that Black, Indigenous, and POC communities can have critical discussions about technology, find community supports for navigating racism in the industry, and connect with each other openly and honestly? Join IntersectTO for a day filled with honest conversations about how to navigate workplaces, build community, and work towards digital justice, led by BIPOC folx, for BIPOC folx.

This is a full-day event, so feel free to join us for one session, or the entire day.

The morning session will explore what digital justice looks like for BIPOC communities. How do design and tech industries perpetuate white supremacy and colonialism? What does racial justice activism look like in the digital age? What does creating dedicated digital spaces for communities of colour look like? These topics topic will be examined through a keynote address, and series of lightning talks from BIPOC community members.

In the afternoon, we'll have group discussions on navigating workplace dynamics as BIPOC. We’ll explore how to gain professional power outside of work, as well as strategies for combating performative “Diversity & Inclusion” initiatives. Our community will share lived experiences and challenges, collaborating on building solutions for hope, healing and empowerment in the workplace.

Stay tuned for more information about the facilitators, keynote and lightning talk speakers.

NOTE: This event is closed to people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour. Please register for this event only if you identify as BIPOC.

Cost

This event is free to attend. Lunch will be provided for attendees registered for the full-day meeting.

Transit

The closest subway station is St. Patrick station. If the cost of TTC fare is a barrier to attending, please email intersectto[at]gmail[dot]com and we will do our best to accomodate!

Accessibility

There is an accessibility ramp outside of 100 McCaul. There are accessible washrooms outside the main theatre in 100 McCaul. There is an elevator within this building for access to the second breakout room located on the second floor.

ASL interpretation will be available for both the morning and afternoon sessions.

Please get in touch with organizers through intersectto(at)gmail.com if you have additional access needs.

Washrooms

There are gender neutral washrooms in the same location as the accessible washrooms outside the main theatre.

Acknowledgements

We thank OCAD University for providing venue support for the day. We're also grateful for financial support from Wattpad, the Shuttleworth Foundation, and the Digital Justice Community Grant. The Digital Justice Community Grant is a partnership between Digital Justice Lab, Tech Reset Canada and Centre for Digital Rights.

About IntersectTO

IntersectTO is a Toronto-based community group for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC), who are interested in technology. Our vision is to create an online and in-person space where BIPOCs can learn tech skills, find collaborators, and hold critical discussions on how technology affects communities of colour. IntersectTO is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River.