BlackTechLogy: Let's talk tech 2021
An archive of all tech-related posts on "I Do See Color"
Writer’s note: The following rundown is a list of tech-related posts that have been published across Substack’s “I Do See Color” and repurposed bylines from Shamontiel in other now-defunct publications. This post will continue to be updated as “BlackTechLogy” posts are written on a monthly basis. Check for updates on the third Monday of each month!
For BlackTechLogy posts from prior years, click here: 2009-20, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
If you’re interested in posts that focus on freelancing and the gig economy, check out “WFFH: Work Fluently From Home” too.
Click here to read more.
Should YouTube do away with marijuana ban in masthead?
Publication date: June 15, 2021
Google's YouTube bans election, alcohol and prescription drug ads from prominent ad space. But if marijuana helps for anxiety and menstrual cramps, why ban it?
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Keep calm, Calm app paid Naomi Asaka's fines
Publication date: June 6, 2021
Four-time Grand Slam singles championship player prioritizes mental health, drops out of French Open. Although penalized, Calm app helped.
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ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Barbershop on-demand app has been a long time coming
Publication date: May 30, 2021
The Grooming industry has a mobile device: theCut. This on-demand service lets people know where barbers are and make haircut appointments.
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Police harassment: I’ll never understand the upside of CompStat
Publication date: May 28, 2021
While the goal for programs like Chicago’s CompStat and Los Angeles’ “Operation LASER" is to fight crime, it became racial profiling and draining mental health.
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Amazon permanently blocks police from using Rekognition
Publication date: May 25, 2021
Facial recognition software's problematic results are both helpful and harmful, especially when white police officers are racially profiling.
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Before you apply for a job, do a PimEyes facial recognition search
Publication date: May 6, 2021
Original publication: Medium
Facial recognition site brought up results I'd rather unsee, including a porn star. Know your Internet search results during a job search.
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Making the most of being meme-famous
Publication date: May 5, 2021
“Disaster Girl” sells her meme for $500K, but what happened to top African-American Vines and black people behind popular GIFs and memes?
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Social media photos: Understand fair use rights
Publication date: May 3, 2021
Can your social media post be shared for commercial use? It depends. While some pics are fair use rights, others violate privacy laws.
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Why black people like me are still not sold on digital currency ... yet
Publication date: April 19, 2021
Music artists, actors are embracing digital currency for business. Here's why bitcoin and cryptocurrency isn't winning with black people.
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What Facebook's Casual Conversation doesn't fix
Publication date: April 14, 2021
Artificial intelligence results have to stop reviewing mugshots. African-Americans and facial recognition clash, Facebook and beyond.
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The loudly quiet success of Verzuz
Publication date: April 13, 2021
Original publication: Goals TV
How Verzuz saved 2020 from an entertainment drought with th help of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Can the Triller partnership survive?
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Make thousands from robocalls since Supreme Court won't block them
Publication date: April 12, 2021
Mark Zuckerberg had to be relieved knowing Noah Duguid of Montana lost his $5 million lawsuit against Facebook for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
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In an instant reply world, was Slack Connect onto something with no-email contact?
Publication date: April 12, 2021
Original publication: Goals TV
Creating more email addresses could resolve the spam problem as opposed to trying to police how Slack Connect and IM are used.
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Cameo raises $100 million Series C funding for celebrity video messages
Publication date: March 30, 2021
Original publication: Goals TV
Social isolation leveled the playing field with celebrities. To make money during COVID-19, they sent out personalized greetings to fans via Cameo.
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Killer Mike’s digital mobile bank closes $40 million of Series A funding
Publication date: March 25, 2021
Original publication: Goals TV
Rapper Killer Mike stands by his word to bank black via Greenwood. It brings back memories of Black Wall Street and financial education.
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Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday. Thanks for reading!