Bay Area

Race for the Net – Part 1 – The Untold History of When African Americans Controlled the Internet

Published

4 years ago

August 6, 2020

Internet technology, which has changed the way we communicate, is estimated to generate global economic wealth totaling more than $7 trillion.

In an era where the lives, contributions and achievements by African Americans are becoming more recognized and appreciated, we now can be aware that this revolutionary internet technology was first launched by the African American community in 1993.

It was an African American-owned company that was selected by the U.S. federal government in 1992 to open the door to the internet worldwide. The name of the company is Network Solutions. Yes, the same company that exists today was founded by a diverse group of individuals in 1979.

Albert E. White, in his recently released book: “Race for the Net-When African Americans Controlled the Internet and What Happens Now?” The book reveals the complete story of how and why this African American company relinquished control of the internet and Network Solutions in 1995 for less than $5 million.

The ongoing saga of the costs due to the denial of access to capital which continues today was brought out in stark relief when the African American founders saw their company being sold by the new owner, Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) five years later, for $21 billion in 2000.

At that time, it was the largest sale of any technology company. This tragic story of lost opportunities and wealth by the African American community is not new. However, today the inability of African Americans to obtain jobs in the technology community, capital, or business opportunities related to a technology they launched is harder to understand.

Many of the tech and Fortune 500 companies that existed between 1993 and 1995 received their internet addresses from this African American company. Amazon was one of this African American company’s early customers, providing the e-mail address we know today, enabling them to build a mega enterprise and enormous wealth for Jeff Bezos.

Most experts believe that internet technology with artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) will expand its economic value to $25 trillion in less than five years.

Albert White says “the internet is today’s lifeline during this COVID-19 global pandemic and magnifies the contribution of this African American company. The internet enables us to view unarmed Black men killed on our streets with a cell phone and the images distributed around the world.”

White was a member of the original management team that first commercialized the Internet. He was responsible for providing the marketing strategy to promote the use of the global internet as Vice President of Corporate Communications at Network Solutions.

White received an MBA degree in Finance from Columbia University and a B.S. degree in Marketing/Economics from the University of Denver and Postgraduate work at the University of Michigan in Marketing Strategy.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, White is living in Silver Spring, Md., today. He has three adult children who all operate their own companies. His older brother, Martin White, a business development consultant who helped organize First Enterprise Bank (Oakland’s first Black-owned Bank), is a resident of Oakland, CA, and a member of Allen Temple Baptist Church.

To order the book visit: www.raceforthenet.com. People can order autographed and non-autographed copies or contact Martin White.

Adrian M. White

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Related Topics:Adrian M. White Race for the Net Science Application International Corporation

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”