Friends,
We started these updates in early March to help tech workers stay informed about COVID-19 and ensure social distancing strategies didn’t upend community connections. Our goal was to highlight stories about how the innovation economy in our region was leading in uncertain times. As the pandemic and its economic fallout intersect with the renewed momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement, we have hope this is a true turning point in history. To capture a more holistic view of what’s happening in our region, we are broadening the scope of our updates to include meaningful racial equity work both in tech and in the community.
Stay safe!
The sea.citi Team
Tech Updates
- Amazon announced a one-year moratorium on police use of facial recognition technology.
- Amperity’s leaders are convening an anti-racist accountability circle of decision-maker level employees at tech companies.
- Female Founders Alliance is offering office hours for Black founders.
- Google Maps now includes COVID-19 information.
- Nomad Go is helping physical retailers detect face coverings and social distancing.
- Pinterest shared a preliminary action plan in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Salesforce has shared a series of videos about injustice and race.
- Twitter is adding fact-check labels to tweets linking coronavirus to 5G.
- Local women leaders of color in tech are filling a gap in the fight against food insecurity during the pandemic.
- Several venture firms are outlining concrete ways to support Black founders and investors.
Individual Actions
- Participate in Seattle’s budget process — City Council’s Select Budget Committee has announced their meeting schedule, here’s how to submit public comments.
- Lead — five ways tech leaders can address racial inequity.
- Get tested — if you have participated in recent protests or marches, free COVID-19 testing is available throughout King County.
Local News
- Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County calls for a statewide general strike and will lead a silent march tomorrow, Friday, June 12.
- As the state continues reopening, The Seattle Times offers a guide for where and when you can do what.
- Canada eases border restrictions for immediate family.
- Gov. Inslee proposes a ban on police chokeholds and a new state body to investigate officer-involved killings.
sea.citi Roadmap to Recovery Series
Immigration During a Pandemic, Thu. June 11, 12:00-12:30pm PT
Hear from Jorge Barón, Executive Director of Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! REGISTER NOW!
Hear from Jorge Barón, Executive Director of Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! REGISTER NOW!
On Deck: The Role of Art in Pandemic, Thu. June 18, 12:00-12:30pm PT
Hear from Regan Pro, Seattle Art Museum’s Deputy Director of Education & Public Engagement about the pandemic’s impact on local arts organizations. We’ll also ask how art can play a critical role in documenting a crisis, alleviating stresses associated with a pandemic, and creating structural change and equity. REGISTER NOW
Hear from Regan Pro, Seattle Art Museum’s Deputy Director of Education & Public Engagement about the pandemic’s impact on local arts organizations. We’ll also ask how art can play a critical role in documenting a crisis, alleviating stresses associated with a pandemic, and creating structural change and equity. REGISTER NOW
ICYMI, read about our past events: