Web3 isn’t necessarily known for its inclusivity or diversity. While the NFT space needs to make sure it does everything it can to stay out of the one-dimensional club of the financial and social elite, its perception of being dominated by white men is increasingly becoming a stereotype. According to research by Charles Schwab, a higher percentage of black Americans own cryptocurrencies than white Americans. 25% own some form of cryptocurrency, compared to 15% of white Americans. When looking at investors under the age of 40, this statistical difference jumps to 38% and 29%, respectively. Beyond cryptocurrency ownership, however, there is a plethora of Web3 projects that are explicitly committed to racial justice, equality, and inclusion that are often overlooked. Here, we highlight five collectives and organizations that provide educational support, financial opportunities, and artistic collaborations to marginalized communities so they don’t miss out on the economic and social empowerment Web3 provides.
50mm collective
Founded by Raven Trammell and Chelsea Quintela, 50mm collective is a digital arts group that provides opportunities and resources for underrepresented communities and artists. The collective supports BIPOC queer and trans artists primarily by curating online galleries, offering frequent educational workshops, and connecting them with collectors in the space. The group also has an online store where visitors can purchase clothing and accessories, with 100% of proceeds going to support the artists of the 50mm Collective.
Image credit: Harold Hughes, Shandra Washington and Audrey Taylor-Akwenye 50mm Collective February 2022, [email protected] is a token-gated community of Black investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives. The group’s mission is to create a space (online and IRL) where founders and creators can share knowledge, create better and add value to each other’s work through the lens of Web3.by purchasing [email protected] Membership NFT, holders get access to the group’s private chats and subgroups, as well as discounted services and free access to online events and IRL experiences like community-led workshops, happy hours, AMAs, and more.
HumanDAO
HumanDAO is a socially conscious Web3 project that uses blockchain technology to provide new ways for marginalized communities to create value through Play to Earn (P2E) and Learn to Earn (L2E) opportunities. For P2E, DAOs lend game assets to members in scholarship programs, allowing them to play games like Axie Infinity. Members earn tokens in the game, a portion of which goes back to the DAO. HumanDAO has a particular focus on developing countries, offering its academics L2E opportunities (via the HumanDAO Academy), and crypto identities through which they can build their Web3 resumes. The DAO also has a unique offering in its Pocket Assistant NFT program. Holders of the Pocket Assistant NFT gain access to a group of assistants that complete simple tasks, giving members of underserved communities the opportunity to earn income. Tasks range from personal (eg research flights) to administrative and Web3 related. HumanDAO also received 50 Moonbirds Oddities from the Proof Collective last year as part of the organization’s efforts to secure Web3 opportunities for marginalized communities.
Image source: HumanDAO
Black Arts Project
A curated NFT program, Black Arts Project Partnering with established and emerging black artists to create an exclusive NFT collection, proceeds of which will go to support artists in marginalized communities.
Image Credit: Black Arts Project
Image credit: The Black Arts Project The group’s first project is a collection of 10,000 generative NFTs by artist Aurélia Durand, which offer contemporary interpretations of traditional African art, fused with 80s hip-hop culture and inspiration from Henri Matisse .
green code
green code is A Web3 platform Its goal is to embrace marginalized groups that are often excluded from the economic empowerment that Web3 provides. Focused on social and climate justice as well as gender equality and humanitarian relief, the organization has launched an NFT series, metaverse games and other tech tools working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Positioning itself at the crossroads of social and environmental justice and the Web3 world, Code Green was nominated for Best Metaverse Project at The Crypties Awards in December 2022. The organization is led by Inna Modja, who also serves as World of Women’s Head of Philanthropy.
Credit: Code Green
