Dear readers and members:
If 2020 taught us how to navigate uncertainty, 2021 defined the significance of being intentional in seizing the moment.
This year marked several major milestones in our work:
- We become the first Black tech news and business platform to syndicate on the Bloomberg Terminal
- We hired two additional reporters to carve out beats on tech policy and HBCU innovation
- We were recognized by Adweek as one of the top 100 creative businesses
Community and holding ourselves accountable to it has been a resounding throughline in our reporting and offerings this year. As we approach the dawn of a new year, we’re taking stock of how we showed up for ourselves and the readers who engage with our work.
The Plug is working hard to cultivate around this commitment to acknowledging, examining and showcasing the magnitude of Black folks in business, technology, finance and beyond. In this work, we won’t shy away from speaking to the challenges that the community faces. Looking towards the future of what the inclusive business community will need and what matters most in 2022 and beyond, means continually listening to the growing community we serve and cutting through the noise.
Headed in this new direction The Plug will establish it’s voice, and bring you, our community, the receipts on the racial equity movement with new depth.
What’s Ahead
As we strive to elevate Black tech news, research, and data, here is what you can expect:
Long form — Our work is transforming to include even more enterprise reporting featuring key players and leaders. We’ll work to accommodate more of the breadth of knowledge from our sources and look closer at what matters to them.
Communities — Pro Members can now access The Plug via our Communities portal, to host conversations among other members, connect with our staff and learn more about the people that make up our newsroom.
Research Galore — Research reports will be dropped more frequently and be integrated into our Communities platform and play a more central role in our editorial coverage.
Deeper Subject Matter Expertise — HBCU, tech policy, crypto and all matters Web3 will get even more dedicated and regular coverage as we build upon an existing body of work.
Live Events — Virtual and live events will be a regular part of our community engagement and present opportunities for learning, networking and comradery.
We ask that you hold us to account as we set out to be more deliberate in honing our unique voice in this incredible ecosystem. We look forward to serving you and being in community with you as we approach the other side.
Have an intentional holiday season and a joyful transition to the new year.
In the work,
Sherrell Dorsey
Editor-In-Chief
Monica Melton
Managing Editor