MIT Solve this week is kicking off a flagship event for two of its most important programs, which seek to support innovators doing the on-the-ground-work to shrink the disparities in economic, health, and educational outcomes for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous and Antiracist Innovators Summit brings together Solver teams, MIT faculty and staff, and key partners for networking and workshops with participants in its Indigenous Communities Fellowship program and Antiracist Technology in the US Challenge.
Last year, Solve selected seven groundbreaking innovators working across industries as diverse as financial literacy, criminal justice, and education. These Solver cohorts are provided with a nine-month program of support that includes seed funding, a comprehensive resource needs assessment, technical/business mentorship, and tailored connections to a network of companies, foundations, NGOs, and more.
“Antiracist technology is about access—but that doesn’t just mean donating a laptop or device,” says Michele Malejki, global head of Social Impact at HP. “Tech companies have an opportunity and a responsibility to deepen digital literacy in communities of color so access to technology means access to quality information, economic opportunities, and healthcare services.”
