Introduction
The speaker opens the discussion by expressing gratitude for the audience’s presence and emphasizes the importance of the topic at hand. They highlight the need to actively consider and address equity in Web3, rather than assuming it will naturally occur. The speaker introduces a group of panelists who are working on the front lines of this issue.
Panelist Introductions
The first panelist, China Duanekwe, co-founder of African Digital Art, discusses their ecosystem’s goal of revolutionizing funding for black creators through a crowd-sourced design marketplace and a Web3-based NFT design competition. Dina Burke, wearing two hats as a marketer at the Stella Foundation and co-founder of Boys Club, explains how their community onboards women to Web3 through events, product studios, incubators, investment syndicates, curriculum, media, and content. Robbie Greenfield, CEO of Emerging Impact, describes their focus on building last-mile payments infrastructure for emerging markets, including digital wallets and payment rails for humanitarian aid and smallholder farmer financing.
Defining the Problem: Key Challenges in Building Equity
The speaker prompts the panelists to share their insights on the key problems they observe regarding equity in Web3 within their respective spaces. China emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and deliberately designing solutions that cater to people of different backgrounds, education levels, and geographical locations. Dina highlights the underrepresentation of women in VC funding and aims to change this narrative by bringing female-centered projects into the spotlight. Robbie discusses the funding disparity and regional discrimination that often occurs in Web3 projects, stressing the need to invest in diverse teams that can utilize resources effectively. They also emphasize the importance of developing interfaces for diverse platforms, such as Android, to cater to a broader user base.
Power Dynamics and Decision Making in Web3
The conversation shifts to the concentration of power and decision making in Web3 and the implications it holds for equity. Dina expresses concerns about a lack of diversity among decision makers, who shape the future of Web3 without considering the perspectives and needs of marginalized communities. Robbie adds that decisions made by uninformed individuals can have long-lasting consequences, and it is crucial to include communities that have been historically excluded to ensure decentralization of power in the new system.
Language and Community Inclusion
The panelists discuss the importance of language and community inclusion in Web3. China references the influence of Beatrice Ramos and their work in creating a platform that speaks to artists and potential community members in a way that resonates with them. They strive to create a simple and seamless process for individuals to participate in the Web3 ecosystem. Dina suggests shifting the focus from “onboarding” to “welcoming” to foster a more human connection between people.
Creating New Models and Addressing Existing Issues
The panelists share their perspectives on whether they aim to create entirely new models or address existing issues in Web3. Dina believes that Web3 provides an opportunity to facilitate profound human connections and emphasizes the importance of community-centric approaches. Robbie highlights the need to recreate certain aspects of traditional systems, making them more transparent, risk-mitigating, and inclusive. They envision a better world and strive to make it a reality through Web3.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The speaker concludes the discussion by thanking the panelists and encouraging the audience to actively work towards building an equitable future in Web3. They emphasize the importance of taking action, supporting underrepresented communities, and ensuring that Web3 encompasses diverse perspectives and experiences.