International tennis star Serena Williams has guest edited a very special issue of Wired in November that will focus solely on the issues of race, gender and equality in the digital age.
The issue will tackle major subject areas from the diversity problem that Silicon Valley currently suffers from to the nationwide rise of #BlackLivesMatter.
In a deeply personal essay entitled: The Ball Is In Your Court, Williams explains why she was so excited to be editing an issue of Wired.
"That’s the reason I wanted to do this issue with WIRED—I’m a black woman, and I am in a sport that wasn’t really meant for black people. And while tennis isn’t really about the future, Silicon Valley sure is. I want young people to look at the trailblazers we’ve assembled below and be inspired. I hope they eventually become trailblazers themselves. Together we can change the future."
Wired Editor-In-Chief Scott Dadich: “We decided to devote all of our attention to these important matters and dedicate an issue to equality and the future—and we had the great good luck to have Serena Williams join us as guest editor.”
The November issue will focus around 10 Trailblasers around the world who are leading the charge for equality and progression in their specific fields of expertise ranging from education, fashion, sport and business.
- Common, musician and activist for change
- Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code
- Mahalia Hines, Common’s mother, a lifelong educator and member of Chicago Board of Education
- Billie Jean King, one of the first openly gay major American athletes
- DeRay Mckesson, civil rights activist and face of Black Lives Matter
- Mary Meeker, venture capitalist
- Geena Rocero, transgender model
- Ronda Rousey, MMA champion athlete
- Tristan Walker, CEO of Walker & Company and one of the highest profile African American startup founders in Silicon Valley.
- Jen Welter, first female preseason coach of the Arizona Cardinals
The issue is available now at Newstands and on iOS and Android.