Connection in a Digital World, with Annika Hansteen-Izora

*This episode was originally published in May 2021*

In this episode, Niki interviews Annika Hansteen-Izora, an art director, poet, and designer. The two reckon with the interests (profit, militarism, white supremacy, ableism - to name a few) that dictate social media platforms, algorithms, and the digital world at large, in a time where we are all spending hours on end on apps. Drawing from Afro-Futurism, Afro-Nowism, and speculative fiction, the two envision what communities centered in care and safety may look and feel like. 

Annika is currently the Creative Director of Design and UI at Somewhere Good, a new social media platform that centers people of color. 

Annika’s references and suggestions for folks to learn more from:
Safiya Umoja Noble: Algorithms of Oppression
Digital Doulas Take Restorative Justice to Cyberspace by. Yaa Addae
Data healing concept by Neema Githere
Data trauma concept by Olivia McKayla Ross  
Glitch Feminism by Legacy Russell
Joy Buolamwini and Algorithmic Justice
Mandy Harris Williams and #brownupyourfeed