From Solo to Scaled:

The Newsletter

Welcome!

 

Whether you're a brand-new subscriber or a returning reader, I'm so thankful that you're here!

 

There's a lot to share this month, so let's get to it.

MLK & DEI: On Creating Safe Digital Spaces

A few years ago, I wrote a piece on ClearVoice.com titled, "How to Incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into Content Marketing," which included this quote:

 

 “We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers’ profit… the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”

~ Martin Luther King
 

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King -- and as the increased reliance upon AI-driven technologies has demonstrated the potential to do harm to already marginalized people -- this quote seems as appropriate today as it was when King first spoke these words in 1967.

 

Need a use case? Look no further than the recent wrongful arrest of a Black man in DeKalb County, GA, charged with a series of thefts in Louisiana — a state he'd never visited.

It could be argued that this was a case of user error — that the arresting officers somehow didn't consider what should have been easily-recognizable distinctions between the man they arrested and the actual culprit. For example, the man they arrested had a mole on his face; nor did his height and weight match the suspect's description.

 

Instead, the officers relied upon the (faulty) results of facial recognition software. Thankfully the man they arrested was released, but not before spending a full week in jail.

What does all this have to do with content, or with MLK? I'm so glad you asked.

 

More from the ClearVoice piece:

 

"This MLK quote remains relevant today, especially as content designers and other creatives consider how to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the creative process. And while not a cure-all for the ills that turning a blind eye to matters of DEI can cause, the content we create is integral to the creation of safe, welcoming, and inclusive information spaces for all."

 

So while human automation authors are busy examining whether or not tools like ChatGPT can replace (human) content creators, please remember this: We already have the power — and the responsibility — to normalize content: to make it diverse, equitable, inclusive, and safe - in the in digital experiences and information spaces that we help to create.

Save the Dates: The 2023 Conference Circuit

I'm so excited to be kicking off the first of three book chats at this year's Utterly Content Global, Feb 28-Mar 2, happening online!

Yael Ben-David will discuss her new book, The Business of UX Writing, and Indi Young will round out the book chats with a discussion about her book, Time to Listen: How Giving People Space to Speak Drives Invention and Inclusion.

In addition to book chats, Utterly Content Global will include compelling keynotes and brilliant breakout sessions, all with an intentional focus on attendee wellbeing.

 

Grab your tickets and join online!

As I shared in last month's newsletter, the curtain is closing on Confab after the 2023 event.

 

If I can't convince you of how amazing this conference is, here's what Corey Vilhauer had to say in a recent LinkedIn post:

 

"Confab is inclusive. It's comforting. It's exciting. It's genuinely moving. It's got French onion dip for one of the snack breaks. And, this is your last chance...2023 is the last year of Confab. You should be there. It's worth experiencing once. It's worth experiencing again."

 

Get your tickets and join us in Minneapolis this spring!

New York City in the springtime? Yes, please!

 

The dates for this year's Lead with Tempo conference have changed, and I couldn't be more excited to join an amazing group of speakers in New York this May.

 

Whether you attend in person or join virtually, you'll enjoy a wide range of talk topics including:
 

  • Leading mindfully

  • Having organizational impact

  • Fostering a safe and collaborative culture

  • Effective prioritization

  • Building a high-performing team from scratch

  • Looking after yourself as well as your team

 

Buy your tickets now!

Present Yourself The Book: We Did the Thing!

Thank you to everyone who spread the word and supported Women Talk Design's Kickstarter for the upcoming book, Present Yourself: A Public Speaking Book to be published in 2023.

 

And though the time-boxed campaign is over, you can still back the Kickstarter and help get this much-needed book in even more hands!

Closing Thoughts and Things

 

Thanks for hanging in here with me. I'll leave you with this until next time:

 

If you've read my book, please take a moment to write a review on Amazon.

Even if you purchased the book directly from Rosenfeld, Amazon book reviews help get the word out and add more visibility among the wider content community.

See you next month!

 

Natalie

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