Black Internet Effect

With witty humor and a strong sense of self, musician, model, and technology executive Shavone Charles recounts her journey through Google, Twitter, and more - and outlines her mission to make space for herself and other young women of color both online and IRL.

Pocket Change Collective was born out of a need for space. Space to think. Space to connect. Space to be yourself. And this is your invitation to join us. This is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists.

The right balance of curiosity and good old nerve has always pushed me toward good directions in my life. During the darkest, most discouraging times, I can lean on those two parts of me. In this installment of the Pocket Change Collective, musician and technology phenom Shavone Charles explores how curiosity and nerve led her from a small college in Merced, California, to some of the most influential spaces in the tech world: from Google to Twitter to eventually landing a spot on the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Grateful for being the first in many spaces, but passionate about being neither the last nor the only, Charles tells her story in the hopes of guiding others and shaping a future where people, particularly women of color, feel empowered to make space for themselves and challenge society's status quos.

"Shavone's personal story about breaking into tech is equal parts accessible and inspiring. We need more relatable role models for young people from diverse backgrounds in the technology space. Shavone shows our future generations not just how to get a foot in the door, but how to thrive when there. I highly recommend this for any young person with big dreams of innovating in tech!" -- Kimberly Bryant, founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE

"Black Internet Effect is the book we all need now. With refreshing empathy, curiosity, and grace, Shavone Charles encourages everyone--but especially women of color--to settle for nothing less than we all deserve. Shavone's authenticity and humor make for an inspiring read, and I encourage readers to learn and laugh as they experience this Pocket Change Collective book." -- Melonie D. Parker, Chief Diversity Officer, Google