AfroCROWD i.e. Afro Free Culture Crowdsourcing Wikimedia (AfroCROWD) is an outreach initiative and Wikimedia User Group which seeks to increase awareness of the Wikimedia and free knowledge, culture and software movements among potential editors of African descent. Since its launch during Black Wiki History Month in 2015, AfroCROWD has sensitized thousands in its target audience about free culture crowdsourcing and the need to close the multicultural and gender gaps in Wikipedia. AfroCROWD has also held monthly multilingual editathons in partnership with cultural institutions, galleries, libraries, archives, museums (GLAM) and many others.
[[Category:2019:Diversity submissions]]
[[Category:2019:Accepted diversity submissions]]
During this presentation, we will begin by discussing the reason behind the initiative (now user group) and talk about our work within the international context. AfroCROWD has organized or participated in several initiatives at the United Nations. As recently as March, our, for example, AfroCROWD's Program and Outreach Director, Sherry Antoine, was invited to speak at a UN event concerning women and the digital divide. AfroCROWD has also partnered with non-governmental organizations, grassroots initiatives, universities and other groups within the Wikimedia community for international events combining efforts related to diversity and inclusion.
During this session, we will talk about what we have learned from these experiences and share them with participants. We hope it will be an interactive and useful event.