America’s Black creative class is busy both re-framing some parts and eradicating others, of the life, culture, and history that we have led.

Here are some shout outs to the many impressive black women that did fantastic work in tech in 2016.

"ThePLUG was birthed out of the idea that creativity and the world of tech are nuanced industries with diverse people that are too often left out of mainstream media."

Not only can the origins of many memes be found in Black creators or online Black communities (Black Twitter, Black Tumblr, Black nerd culture at large), memes appear to model the circulatory movement of Black vernacular itself.

"There’s always a lot of things when it comes to Black people in America, where it can make a young person feel like, why even try? It can create so many mental barriers for a young person. So if I can do my part in trying to break those down before they even build up, I’m gonna do that."

The word “startup” has begun to signify a particular brand of business success... and a particular type of business person.

We caught up about their work, black men in tech, how to make your own podcast, and where the future of tech is going.

In a society where equitable access to jobs, housing, and financial services is still threatened by racist discrimination, crowdfunding is a tool that has helped marginalized communities deal with the impact of economic violence.

I weigh the challenges we face against the spirit of our group. We embrace our blackness, we love black identity, and we are proud to be coders.

I condemn the culture that has no problem acknowledging and using my labor, but would not support my fight for my humanity.