My voice will not die: Insights from Black futurists on Technology and Society

About this case study 

The case study set out to amplify the unique perspectives of Black futurists through a series of 30-minute, remote, semi-structured interviews, offering participants a $30 incentive. It explores how technology intersects with race, identity, and societal transformation.

Part One: Exploring Perspectives - This section presents insights exclusively from anonymous participants, exploring their thoughts on technology, race, and society. It highlights diverse viewpoints within the Black community on pivotal subjects such as AI and workforce displacement.

Part Two: Data Analysis and Strategic Insights - This part analyses the data gathered from the interviews and includes insights from participants who chose to be credited. The analysis aims to uncover strategies for innovation and provide actionable insights based on the experiences and predictions shared by the participants.

The objective of this study

Part Two of this study aims to delve deeper into the strategic and innovative trends identified by the credited Black futurists, translating their interviews into actionable insights. This phase explores how their perspectives on technology's intersection with race, identity, and societal transformation can guide meaningful advancements in critical areas. The focus is to create a roadmap for integrating Black futurist thought into inclusive policies, technologies, and systems for a more equitable future.

• Cultural Lenses for Innovation: Explore how Black futurists leverage cultural heritage, identity, and lived experiences to shape innovation.

• Technological Shifts: Examine the impact of emerging technologies, such as AI, on Black communities. 

• Public Consciousness and Social Movements: How societal events and shifts, such as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement, influence the relationship between technology and Black communities.

Recruitment and Methodology 

Recruitment:

• Conducted recruiting via LinkedIn; targeted posts and messages were crafted to engage potential participants who identify as Black futurists.
• A screener survey confirmed that participants met specific criteria for engaging with futurism, particularly concerning technology and their identities within the Black community.

Methodology:

• Interviews were transcribed and reviewed thoroughly. Initial codes were assigned to text segments aligned with the research questions.
• Codes were organized into broader categories representing key themes, facilitating a structured and comprehensive data synthesis and sentiment analysis.

Note: AI tools were employed in the production of this report to assist in data processing and analysis. This use of AI aligns with the study’s focus on how technology, when used inclusively, can enhance storytelling and contribute to more representative research practices.

Problem Statement and Background

The racial reckoning of 2020, fueled by George Floyd’s murder and the pandemic’s disproportionate toll on Black communities, led to expanded DEI initiatives and a push for systemic change. Now, rapid advancements in generative AI and automation threaten to deepen disparities, especially in sectors where Black workers are overrepresented and vulnerable to job loss.

The modern job market increasingly utilizes AI for job searching, impacting how employment opportunities are accessed and awarded. We need to address the importance of aligning AI and technology with civil rights values, ensuring that technology promotes fairness rather than discrimination.

Key Themes Identified

Based on the interviews, five  key themes emerged as focal points of discussion:

• Social Justice and DEI

• AI Ethics, Impact, and Bias 

• Reimagining Futures Through Inclusion

• Economic Resilience and Workforce Empowerment

•  Community-Led Innovation

These themes highlight a rich interplay between identity, technology, and activism. The participants’ perspectives offer a redefined vision of futurism. One that prioritizes justice, equity, and the collective good while addressing systemic barriers and inclusive futures.

Insights from the data

Insight one

The themes of Social Justice and DEI (54%) and Reimagining Futures through Inclusion (14%) were the most frequently discussed topics among credited participants, highlighting core concerns about the intersection of equity, inclusion, and envisioning inclusive futures. The focus on Social Justice and DEI reflects widespread apprehensions about systemic barriers and the perceived performativity of corporate diversity initiatives, with calls for deeper structural change and authentic implementation. Discussions within Reimagining Futures through Inclusion emphasized the importance of incorporating marginalized voices into futurist narratives, driven by a desire to challenge exclusionary frameworks and build more equitable visions.

Insight two

DEI Efforts (56% positive) and Technology Access (38% positive) garner the strongest optimism, reflecting progress in fostering inclusion and bridging digital divides, though criticisms remain. However, Systemic Inequities (44% negative) and DEI Efforts (28% negative) highlight dissatisfaction with persistent structural barriers and skepticism toward the tangible impact of DEI initiatives, emphasizing the need for accountability and measurable actions.

Insight three

Themes such as Social Justice and DEI and Community-Led Innovation are viewed as promising areas for growth and impactful change, as they represent high community needs with relatively moderate behaviour change requirements. This suggests that organizations prioritize these as avenues for building trust and fostering community collaboration. By implementing inclusive policies, promoting grassroots innovation, and encouraging co-creation, stakeholders can make tangible progress in addressing systemic inequities.

Key Themes Identified Insight and highlight clip

AI Ethics, Impact, and Bias: Discrimination in, Discrimination out

Community  Needs

AI systems often embed racial biases because they are designed by homogeneous teams lacking diverse perspectives. To address this, there is a critical need for inclusive teams that reflect the diversity of the communities impacted by AI.

Behavior Changes

Participants advocated regular bias testing in AI models, focusing on eliminating discriminatory outcomes and iterating on inclusivity.

Insight

Black futurists emphasize that while AI can perpetuate racial bias if developed without diverse perspectives, it also holds transformative potential. By prioritizing inclusive design, organizations can harness AI to foster fairness and dismantle systemic inequities.

Social Justice and DEI: Addressing Structural Inequities and Amplifying Representation

Community  Needs

Black communities need DEI initiatives that go beyond superficial commitments. These initiatives should address structural barriers and lead to tangible changes in representation, equity, and leadership opportunities.

Behavior Changes

Focus on diversifying leadership teams to reflect the communities organizations serve, empowering decision-makers. Advocating for inclusive hiring practices and equitable access to emerging opportunities.

Insight

Superficial DEI programs that lack accountability risk deepening mistrust and reinforcing inequities. While diversity efforts often focus on hiring, they must go deeper to dismantle systemic inequities, such as wage gaps and lack of upward mobility for Black employees.

Reimagining Futures Through Inclusion: Inclusive Systems and Policies

Community  Needs

Black futurists stressed the importance of having diverse perspectives in decision-making and design processes, especially in technologies like AI.  There is a critical need to reimagine technological, social, and economic systems that centre marginalized voices.

Behavior Changes

Organizations and policymakers must adopt co-creation approaches involving marginalized groups, like black communities, directly in the design and decision-making processes for technologies, policies, and systems.

Insight

Black futurists highlight that building inclusive systems is a moral imperative and a path to innovation . Inclusion requires a fundamental shift in envisioning and designing futures centring on equity, collaboration, and justice. They highlight the risks of AI perpetuating biases while exploring its potential to dismantle inequities if designed inclusively.

Economic Resilience and Workforce Empowerment: Invest in Reskilling and Upskilling

Community  Needs

Black communities require equitable access to education, training, and reskilling programs to navigate the changing workforce dynamics driven by automation and AI.

Behavior Changes

Governments and corporations must allocate resources for training initiatives focused on equipping workers for emerging industries, especially those impacted by automation.

Insight

By investing in reskilling and inclusive hiring, organizations can empower their workforce and future-proof their industries against economic disruption. Develop publicly and privately funded reskilling initiatives targeting marginalized  Black communities, focusing on high-demand fields like AI.

Community-Led Innovation: Shift Decision-Making Power to Communities

Community  Needs

Black communities, especially those historically excluded from decision-making, need platforms to actively participate in designing solutions that address their unique challenges. There is a strong need for accessible funding, tools, and technical expertise to support community-driven initiatives.

Behavior Changes

Policymakers and organizations must co-create solutions with communities rather than designing solutions for them, embracing participatory processes. Increase funding and support for community-led projects that address systemic challenges,

Insight

Black futurists highlighted that innovation often emerges from necessity within communities. We can achieve scalable and impactful outcomes by investing in these grassroots ideas. Community-led innovation ensures that solutions are relevant and sustainable because they are rooted in the lived experiences of those directly affected.

The Connection Between AI and Social Justice

AI holds great promise and significant risks, especially for the black community. While it could make society fairer, unchecked systems often worsen inequities. Black futurist visionaries examining the intersection of technology and culture highlight dangers and solutions. They argue that AI must promote justice, fairness, and equality.

The Problem: AI and Bias

AI systems, far from neutral, reflect the biases in the data they are trained on. This means Black communities face challenges like unfair hiring practices, misidentifications in facial recognition, and biased legal algorithms. The challenge is clear: AI must remove these barriers rather than reinforce them.

The Solution: Collaboration and Inclusion

Equity in AI demands teamwork among technologists, policymakers, and civil rights leaders. Key strategies include creating fairer data, conducting regular bias reviews, amplifying Black voices in tech, and incorporating diverse perspectives into design.

Impact and Opportunity

Fair AI can break down education, housing, and justice barriers, build trust, and address systemic discrimination. The path forward requires accountability, partnership, and purpose to ensure that technology serves humanity and justice equally.

Acknowledgments

This work would not have been possible without our participants' invaluable insights, time, and contributions. We extend our deepest gratitude to:

Sasha Mack

Sasha King, MBA, CAPM

Kevin Williams

Shaunte Kinch

Romano Theunissen

Adrian Jones

Kev "The Futurist" Horton

Carol-Anne R.

Rachel Kimber, MPA, MS

Your perspectives and experiences have enriched this research, illuminating the critical intersection of technology and equity.

Editor's Note

Thank you to Jeremiah A. Davis for the thoughtful edits and guidance throughout this process. Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to clarity have ensured that this work reaches its full potential.

Your voices and efforts have helped pave the way for meaningful dialogue and impactful change. Thank you all.