Uplifting Milwaukee's Black community with insights from Tulsa's AI Initiative

In the heart of Tulsa, a recent innovative initiative named Hack the Future Greenwood set a precedent for how technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), can be leveraged to empower and engage marginalized communities. At the Greenwood Cultural Center, this event aimed to demystify AI technology for the Black community through practical, hands-on experiences. The initiative, co-designed by Black Tech Street and community members, focuses on critical life areas, including entrepreneurship, creative expression, and social justice.

Participants thoroughly evaluated generative Large Language Models (LLMs) for biases and potential negative consequences in the inaugural Hack the Future: Greenwood session. This was accomplished through a set of challenges thoughtfully curated by Black Tech Street in collaboration with other community advisors. The following day, the focus shifted to nurturing relationships and enhancing the understanding of community leaders regarding the expansive national dialogue on AI, facilitated by a sequence of informative panels.

This approach not only exposes participants to the potential of AI but also addresses concerns about bias and the ethical use of technology.

Milwaukee, a city known for its stark racial segregation and challenging conditions for African Americans, stands to gain significantly from adopting a similar model. Though growing, the city's tech ecosystem has yet to embrace and reflect its population's diversity fully. By learning from Tulsa's example, Milwaukee can take meaningful steps toward creating an inclusive AI ecosystem that fosters technological innovation and addresses social inequities.

Adopting a model similar to Tulsa's Hack the Future Greenwood initiative, Milwaukee can significantly enhance its tech ecosystem's inclusivity, benefiting the Black community, young students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), and Black-owned businesses. Here's how such an initiative could transform Milwaukee:

Empowering the Black Community

• Workforce Development: By focusing on AI and tech education, Milwaukee can prepare its Black community for the high-demand jobs of the future. Tailored training programs and apprenticeships could provide pathways into tech careers, reducing unemployment and underemployment rates in Black neighborhoods.
• Entrepreneurial Support: Black entrepreneurs can receive support in leveraging AI technologies to start or grow their businesses. This could include access to AI tools for market analysis, customer service automation, and operational efficiencies, helping to level the playing field with larger companies.

Enhancing Education for MPS Students

• Curriculum Integration: Integrating AI and tech education into the MPS curriculum could spark interest in STEM from an early age. This could involve partnerships with local universities and tech companies to provide resources, guest lectures, and hands-on projects that demonstrate the real-world applications of AI.
• After-School Programs and Clubs: Establishing after-school programs and clubs focused on coding, robotics, and AI could provide additional opportunities for students to explore their interests in technology. These programs could also serve as a pipeline for internships and scholarships in tech fields.

Supporting Black Businesses

AI for Business Workshops:

Hosting workshops specifically designed for Black business owners on utilizing AI tools for business growth could demystify technology and showcase practical applications, such as customer data analysis, digital marketing, and supply chain optimization.

• Customized Training: Workshops could be tailored to different industry sectors, addressing specific challenges Black-owned businesses face in retail, services, or manufacturing. For example, a workshop for restaurant owners might focus on using AI for inventory management and predictive analytics for customer preferences.
• Case Studies: Presenting real-world examples of Black-owned businesses that have successfully implemented AI solutions can provide inspiration and a clearer understanding of the potential impact. A case study might detail how a small retailer used AI to optimize their online ad spend, increasing sales.
• Hands-On Experience: Participants could work with AI tools during the workshop, allowing them to gain practical experience. For instance, business owners could learn to use AI chatbots to handle customer service inquiries, freeing up time to focus on other aspects of their business.
• Networking Opportunities: Workshops could also serve as networking events, connecting Black business owners with AI experts, potential investors, and each other, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration.

Access to AI Resources

Creating a platform or hub where Black businesses can access AI tools, resources, and expert advice at reduced costs or for free would encourage the adoption of technology to improve business operations and competitiveness.

• AI Resource Hub: Milwaukee could establish a digital platform as a one-stop shop for AI resources. This hub could offer tutorials, toolkits, and software recommendations tailored to small businesses' needs.
• Expert Consultation: The platform could facilitate connections with AI professionals who can offer guidance on selecting and implementing the right AI solutions. For example, a business owner could receive advice on integrating AI into their customer relationship management system.
• Subsidized Tools: To lower the barrier to entry, the platform could provide access to AI tools at subsidized rates or through a partnership model. This could include AI-driven market analysis software that could otherwise be cost-prohibitive for small businesses.
• Community Projects: The hub could also host community-driven AI projects, where Black business owners collaborate on developing custom AI solutions that address common challenges. For example, a group of businesses could work together to develop an AI-powered local marketing consortium that benefits all participants.

Examples of AI Applications for Black Businesses

• Predictive Analytics: A small fashion boutique could use AI to predict upcoming trends and manage stock levels accordingly, reducing overstock and missed sales opportunities.
• Customer Insights: A local barber shop could implement AI to analyze customer feedback and social media trends, tailoring services to meet client desires more effectively.
• Efficient Operations: A construction company could use AI to optimize project scheduling, resource allocation, and supply chain logistics, leading to cost savings and improved project timelines.
• Enhanced Marketing: A beauty salon could leverage AI to personalize marketing campaigns, targeting customers with tailored offers and recommendations based on their purchase history and preferences.

By providing these workshops and resources, Milwaukee can help level the playing field for Black businesses, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. This support can lead to growth and sustainability for Black-owned businesses, contributing to the overall economic development and resilience of the Black community in Milwaukee.

Community-Wide Benefits

• Reducing Inequities: By focusing on equitable access to AI education and resources, Milwaukee can address systemic barriers that have historically excluded the Black community from tech opportunities. This includes tackling issues like the digital divide by guaranteeing access to high-speed internet and modern computing devices.
• Creating Role Models: Success stories from the Black community in AI and tech can inspire future generations. Highlighting local Black tech leaders and entrepreneurs at community events and media can provide tangible role models for young people.
• Policy and Advocacy: Engaging in policy discussions and advocacy to ensure that AI development and deployment in Milwaukee are done ethically and inclusively. This includes ensuring that AI tools used in public services do not perpetuate biases or inequalities.

By learning from Tulsa's initiative and implementing similar strategies, Milwaukee can create a more inclusive AI ecosystem that fosters technological innovation and significantly contributes to addressing social inequities. This approach can help Milwaukee become a model city for diversity and inclusion in tech, benefiting the Black community, young students, and Black-owned businesses.

Why Milwaukee Needs to Act

Milwaukee's status as one of the most segregated cities in the United States, coupled with its ranking as one of the worst cities for African Americans, underscores the urgent need for initiatives that promote inclusivity and opportunity. With its high-growth potential and transformative power, the tech industry offers a pathway to economic empowerment and social change. However, without deliberate efforts to engage underrepresented communities, the benefits of technological advancements risk widening existing disparities.

Lessons from Tulsa: A Blueprint for Milwaukee

1. Community Engagement and Co-Design: Tulsa's approach of involving the community in the design and execution of Hack the Future Greenwood ensures that the initiative is relevant and responsive to the needs and concerns of Black residents. Milwaukee can replicate this model by partnering with local organizations, tech companies, and community leaders to co-create programs that resonate with and empower the African-American community.

Milwaukee could establish a series of community tech hubs in neighborhoods with significant African-American populations. These hubs could serve as centers for co-designing AI initiatives, similar to the collaboration between Black Tech Street and community members in Tulsa. By partnering with local organizations like the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, these hubs could host workshops where community members identified challenges within their neighborhoods that AI could address, fostering a sense of ownership and relevance.

2. Education and Exposure: By demystifying AI and providing hands-on experiences, Tulsa is making technology accessible to individuals who may have previously felt excluded from the tech conversation. Milwaukee can follow suit by organizing workshops, hackathons, and demonstration events that showcase AI's practical applications and benefits across various sectors.

Leveraging local educational institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and Marquette University, Milwaukee can create AI literacy programs tailored to different age groups and professional backgrounds. For instance, Marquette's Center for Teaching and Learningdemonstrating could expand its AI and teaching initiatives to include community workshops that demonstrate AI's potential in various fields, from healthcare to urban planning. These programs could also include mentorship opportunities with AI professionals to provide guidance and inspiration

3. Addressing Bias and Ethical Concerns: The focus on "purple teaming" to test AI models for bias in Tulsa is a critical step toward building trust and ensuring the ethical use of technology. Milwaukee must prioritize AI development transparent, accountable, and inclusively, with mechanisms in place to address bias and safeguard against misuse.

Milwaukee can organize city-wide "AI for Equity" hackathons, inviting technologists, activists, and community members to develop AI solutions that address local issues of inequality and discrimination. Drawing inspiration from Milwaukee County's use of AI to identify inequities in local policies, these events could focus on creating transparent, accountable AI systems. Participants could work on projects like developing AI tools to audit municipal data for bias or creating AI-driven platforms that provide residents easier access to social services.

4. Building a Community-Owned AI Ecosystem: The goal of creating a robust, community-owned AI ecosystem in Greenwood is an inspiring vision for Milwaukee. By fostering a sense of ownership and participation, Milwaukee can build an AI ecosystem that benefits all residents, particularly those who have been historically marginalized.

The MKE Tech Hub Coalition's efforts to explore AI as a tool for innovation in the region could be expanded to specifically target the development of a community-owned AI ecosystem. This could include establishing a community-led AI incubator that supports Black entrepreneurs in developing AI startups. This incubator would foster innovation and ensure that AI's economic benefits are equitably distributed within Milwaukee's African-American community by providing seed funding, technical training, and business mentorship.

The Importance of Inclusive AI Initiatives

Inclusive AI initiatives promote diversity in the tech industry and leverage technology for social justice and economic empowerment. By engaging marginalized communities in the development and application of AI, cities like Milwaukee can address systemic inequities while fostering innovation and economic growth.

The success of Tulsa's Hack the Future Greenwood offers a compelling blueprint for how Milwaukee can harness the power of AI to create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all its residents. As Milwaukee looks to the future, the lessons from Tulsa's initiative provide a valuable roadmap for engaging the Black community and other underrepresented groups in the burgeoning field of AI. By embracing these principles, Milwaukee can diversify its tech ecosystem and leverage technology as a force for good, bridging divisions and building a more inclusive city for future generations.

This post was researched and written with assistance from Perplexity AI