by Lauren DeLisa Coleman

America and the world at large are, unfortunately, no strangers to violence. Whether it’s that which was an off-shoot of the uprisings in Egypt earlier this year, Syria today or South Central LA and French suburbs tomorrow; clashes occur and often times directly from the youth demographic. But while many might think the task of monitoring such upheaval falls solely to activists or policy makers alone, I recently found out that those who are well entrenched in the technology game who are about to make some bold contributions.

Welcome to Google Ideas, a new division of the tech giant, which is poised to enter into its first public effort at the end of this month in Dublin, Ireland. Overseen by Jared Cohen, a former member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and one-to-watch in the convergence of tech and geo-politics, Google Ideas is producing Summit Against Extreme Violence (SAVE) in conjunction with both the Council on Foreign Affairs and Tribeca Film Festival. A definite first of its kind as well as the first from this new Google division, SAVE will bring together more than fifty former members of violent, exploitative organizations-from inner-city gangs and right-wing militants to nationalist groups and religious extremist groups-all of whom are actively and publicly working in organizations dedicated to helping youth find positive alternatives to violent extremism.

With an estimated 80-90 formers coming from about 25 different countries, representing about 8-12 different languages, who were affiliated with as many as 40 different groups as well as survivors of terrorism and violence and NGOs and academics all touching down in a country noted for transitioning away from violent extremism; SAVE should be anything but boring as the event works to create a global conversation around ways in which violence can be prevented and ways in which technology can assist in reaching that objective.

If this big bite is only Google Idea’s first public effort, we will surely be watching for others from this interesting offering. In fact in previous interview’s Jared has described the division as a “a new think/do tank” created to tackle some of the world’s most intractable issues from counterterrorism to counterradicalization and more by bringing together various stakeholders. Due to the fact that technology is playing such a pivotal role from extremist recruitment to pro-democracy efforts, Google Ideas seeks to create direct conversations and solutions in these areas given the company’s great strength in execution of technology.

And it’s about time someone started checking for youth in this manner. Given that Jared recently unveiled stats in his blog that said that “more than 50 percent of the world’s population under the age of 30 and the vast majority of those are characterized as ‘at risk,’ socially, economically, or both, an oversupply exists of young people susceptible to recruitment by the extremist religious or ideological group closest to them in identity or proximity”; the situation could well be one of the most pressing of our time. One wishes Google Ideas well. In fact should their proactive approach work, it just may be one of the company’s most significant and important formulas yet.

The National Black Data Processing Associates is an organization focused on African-Americans in the information technology field. In conjunction with WorkplaceDiversity.com, the organization recently released its list of the best tech companies for Blacks to work for. Supporters and corporate sponsors of BDPA were asked to complete a survey that addressed Tenure, Promotions and Terminations, Career Path Programs, Minority Vendor Programs, and Community Outreach.  The results of those surveys led to these following companies winning the 2011 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology Award:

Allstate Insurance

American Airlines

BlueCross BlueShield of IL, NM, OK, & TX ,

Intel

Johnson & Johnson

Merck

Northrop Grumman

State Farm Insurance

Wal-Mart Stores

WellPoint

Wells Fargo

“The awards are presented annually to the top companies in the nation that promote a workplace and environment that supports the advancement of Blacks in the information technology industry,” said National BDPA President, Yvette Graham in a released statement.

The Epsilon Awards will be presented later this year at the 2011 National BDPA Technology Conference to be held in Chicago, IL on August 3-6.

by Kweli Wright

Name: Nichelle Stephens

Hometown: Birmingham Alabama, currently in NYC

Favorite website: buzzfeed.com

Favorite read: The Living Is Easy by Dorothy West

Recent read: My Life in Three Acts by Pam Grier

Most inspired by: Mom

Favorite cupcake flavor: Hazelnut or Nutella cupcakes and caramel sea-salt

Quote governing your mission: “My color is my joy and not my burden…” –Bebe Moore Campbell

Twitter handle: @niche

When it comes to making it in media these days, you have to be a Jack (or Jackie) of all trades. After her start as an accountant, Nichelle Stephens followed her passions to not only establish herself as a financial blogger, but as an editor, small business consultant, social media strategist and, of all things, a cupcake enthusiast. Her transition from money to cake was not always easy, but through her talents as a writer–Nichelle currently has four blogs–she has crafted a multi-layered career that allows her the freedom to create and inspire others.

“In the beginning, the blogging was an outlet,” says Stephens. “It wasn’t until three years ago that I really started making some money. Now [my blogging is] a profit-making entity.” Here, the blogger, editor and social media strategist, talks to us about juggling jobs and tasting cupcakes.

Have you always wanted a career in media?

I can’t say that I focused on media, but I love to write. In high school, I wrote poetry and always loved being creative.

So accounting was your job and blogging…?

I started blogging about six years ago with Keeping Nickels. It was an outlet from doing accounting bookkeeping, where I could write financial tips for start-ups and businesses, write small business information, give advice about personal finance. I have a degree in accounting and worked at a management consultant firm, so I had the experience. I also have my personal blog– Nichelle Stephens–which is my fun side. I have another blog about women and money,  I Can Bring Home The Bacon.

You’re also a founding co-editor at Cupcakes Take the Cake, the most popular cupcake blog. Tell us how that came about.

Back in 2004, my friend Rachel [Kramer Bussel] and I would buy cupcakes and take them to events–birthday parties, press events, book parties–anywhere we knew a crowd who be, and it seemed like cupcakes were everywhere, so we decided to start this blog. It’s not about recipes and baking, but the wonderful varieties out there and how popular cupcakes are not only in the United States, but around the world. We have a list of cupcake shops from Sao Paulo. Brazil to Singapore. We even host cupcake business classes teaching bakers how to promote themselves.

It’s amazing that you have time for another gig. How did you connect with Pepsi to become the Community Editor for the Pepsi We Inspire blog?

They actually found me. I built my online presence six years ago and from day one I’ve been prolific with my writing, I guess they recognized that. They liked my voice from my personal site, my Twitter feed. That’s one great thing about Twitter, you can use it to discuss off-the-cuff things that you are thinking about and relate to other people.

Were you concerned that Pepsi We Inspire was going to be more about pushing the brand than inspiring African-American women?

Before I got the job, I met with the marketing firm working with Pepsi. I was so on-board [with their ideas]. This site was something that was so needed, not just as a site for women, but as a site for the African-American community specifically. The only concern about doing something when it is connected to such a popular brand is that you don’t want to hit the audience over the head and that’s why I liked the approach. The site is interconnected to Facebook-connect, so real interaction is there. The site is beautifully designed, very informative and it gives women a way to contribute to communities by volunteering or donating, or just sharing stories about what inspires them the most.  It’s just a great thing.

With all of the jobs that you manage, do you find you like the path your career has taken?

Only until recently have I felt in control. The first couple of years I struggled to make ends meet and now I’m definitely more comfortable. One thing about the freedom is that when you work a 9-5 there are things that you can never take part in. I can now go to conferences and presentations, I can do things like that now because of my flexible schedule.

Where can we look for you next?

I’ll be attending and presenting at the Blogging While Brown conference in Washington, D.C. June 18-19. My presentation topic is The Business of Blogging.