Celebrating Black Leaders in Child Online Protection

I am thrilled to be back with my FOSI family writing for the Good Digital Parenting blog.  As you know, digital parenting is a topic that is close to my heart and indeed my past 15 years in this area has provided me with a broad knowledge of online safety issues and a network of people doing some fabulous things for digital families. 

And what a fabulous occasion to highlight that network during Black History Month.  Although, let’s be very clear, the importance of diversity and inclusion as well as child online safety are year round topics for celebration. 

With more than 14% of the population in the United States being Black, it is commendable to take a moment to place a spotlight on the Black trailblazers, leaders, innovators  working to address online risks, promote online benefits, ensure digital literacy, and accessibility for all children.

Dona J. Fraser - Senior Vice President, BBB National Programs’ Privacy Initiatives and head of the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)

Dona is a leading privacy expert, who has held leadership positions at the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and at BMG/Sony Music.  She is a well-respected advocate on the complexities of children’s privacy issues and has crafted best practice guidance in several areas including mobile apps, downloadable games, short-form privacy policies, behavioral advertising and social networking.

Stanley Pierre-Louis – CEO, Entertainment Software Association (ESA)

As the head of the ESA, the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry, Stanley is at the forefront of the charge to promote the positive economic and social contributions of video games. He is also pushing for more diversity and representation in the industry and has advocated to create opportunities by asking “Where are we as an industry and where are we as a society where things we can do have impact?” He has also met with the ESA board itself about how to increase pipelines for not only Black and brown people but also women.

Kemba Walden – Principal Deputy National Cyber Director

Kemba served as the National Cyber Director in 2023 and was responsible for adivsing the President Biden on matters related to cybersecurity.  She previously worked as Counsel for Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, an international team of technical, legal and business experts fighting cybercrime.  She pushed for acknowledgement of our “collective responsibility to defend our country, serve our communities, and protect our families.”

Fareedah Shaheed – Founder, Protect Kids Online Membership

Fareedah is an Internet Safety Expert and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree.  Through her background in cybersecurity awareness, threat intelligence, and online gaming she has developed a unique approach called the S.A.F.E Method to teaching internet safety to parents by centering the need for safe spaces and connection as the foundation to protecting kids online.

Amber Kamilah – Sr. Manager of Communications and Partnerships, Center for Digital Thriving

After serving as a Sr. Research Manager at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Amber then worked on the Center for Digital Thriving Project, with a mission of “building resources and developing research that helps young people—and all of us—redefine our relationships with technology. Instead of feeling controlled by or tethered to tech, we envision people feeling empowered to use tech to lead rich, fulfilling lives.”

For sure, this is just a small, non-exhaustive list of Black leaders and innovators in child online protection but I wanted to throw the challenge out there.  If you know of other Black leaders who are working to create safer online environments for children who work in education, in government, in industry, in libraries, in their own families, or other areas, please share with us at fosi@fosi.org. 

As we shape the future of online initiatives, inclusion, accessibility and diversity are daily topics for us that are not limited to the month of February. 

A safer internet is the responsibility of all of us and is for the benefit of all.