5 Web3 Projects Fighting for Racial Justice

Web3 is not necessarily known for its inclusion or its diversity. And while the NFT space must ensure that it does everything it can to avoid becoming a one-dimensional club for the economic and social elite, the perception that it is dominated by white men is increasingly becoming a stereotype.

According to research from Charles Schwab, a greater percentage of black Americans own crypto than white Americans. 25 percent own some form of crypto compared to just 15 percent of white Americans. The statistical split jumps to 38 and 29 per cent respectively when looking at investors under 40 years of age.

Beyond crypto ownership, however, lies a vast geography of Web3 projects explicitly working toward racial justice, equality, and inclusion that is often overlooked. Here we have highlighted five collectives and organizations that provide educational support, financial opportunities and artistic collaborations to marginalized communities, so that they do not miss out on the economic and social strength that Web3 offers.

50 mm collective

Founded by Raven Trammell and Chelsea Quintela, 50 mm collective is a digital art cohort that provides opportunities and resources to underrepresented environments and artists. The collective focuses primarily on supporting BIPOC queer and trans artists 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 buy clothes and accessories, and 100 percent of the income goes back to funding artists in the 50mm collective.

Launched in February 2022 by Harold Hughes, Shondra Washington and Audrey Taylor-Akwenye, [email protected] is a token-gated community of black investors, entrepreneurs and creatives. The group’s mission is to create a space (both online and IRL) where founders and creators can be authentically themselves while sharing knowledge to better create and add value to each other’s work through the lens of Web3.

By purchasing one [email protected] membership NFT, holders get access to the group’s private chat and subgroups, as well as discounted services and free access to online events and IRL experiences such as community-led workshops, happy hours, AMAs and more.

HumanDAO

HumanDAO is a socially conscious Web3 project that uses blockchain technology to offer marginalized communities new ways to create value via play-to-earn (P2E) and learn-to-earn (L2E) opportunities. For P2E, the DAO lends gaming funds to members in a scholarship program so they can play games like Axie Infinity. Members earn tokens in the game, a portion of which goes back to the DAO.

With a particular focus on developing countries, HumanDAO offers its scholars L2E opportunities (through the HumanDAO Academy), as well as crypto-identities through which they can build their Web3 CV. The DAO also has a unique offering in the Pocket Assistant NFT program. Holders of Pocket Assistant NFTs gain access to a pool of assistants who perform simple tasks, allowing members of underserved communities to earn money. Tasks range from personal (such as researching flights) to administrative and Web3-related.

HumanDAO also received 50 Moonbirds Oddities from Proof Collective last year as part of that organization’s efforts to ensure it offers Web3 opportunities to marginalized communities.

The Black Arts Project

A curated NFT initiative, The Black Arts Project collaborates with both established and emerging black artists to create exclusive NFT collections whose proceeds will be used to support artists in marginalized communities.

The group’s first project is a collection of 10,000 generative NFTs by artist Aurélia Durand that offers a modern interpretation of traditional African art mixed with inspiration from 80s hip-hop culture and Henri Matisse.

Code Green

Code Green is a Web3 platform which aims to engage marginalized groups that are often excluded from the economic power that Web3 offers. With a focus on social and climate justice as well as equality and humanitarian aid, the organization launches NFT collections, metaverse games and other technological tools that work to promote the UN’s sustainability goals.

Positioning itself at the intersection 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 Head of Philanthropy at World of Women .