Hi All, I have watched from the shadows as the discussion on diversity at Apache has evolved over the past few weeks.
This made me to ask important questions like what initiatives are out there doing great work to promote diversity? GSoC, Outreachy and the new Google Seasons of Docs(GSoD) initiatives come to mind. Shane, on another thread mentioned Outreachy and other efforts. I keep asking myself why the ASF never participated in Outreachy? learn more about Outreachy here: https://www.outreachy.org <https://www.outreachy.org/sponsor/> and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outreachy Was it a problem of a lack of volunteers? I am willing to lead efforts if and when the community decides to participate in Outreachy. Is it a lack of Projects? I see alot of issues which can be transformed into Outreachy code and documentation projects. is it a lack of Funds? I have no idea If the Foundation can sponsor Outreachy but I know when there is a will, there is a way. How does Outreachy Fund their program? Here is a detailed explanation on how funding works over there: https://www.outreachy.org/sponsor/ How will Outreachy help us achieve more diversity? few things come to mind: I am Black and since I was introduced to Open Source, most people/students in my local community in Cameroon get inspired to contribute( those are more under represented people flowing into Open Source and Apache Foundations in particular). Except that is a problem, I dont see why we should not participate in outreachy. Giving and empowering a lady for a example will inspire ambition for others like them. This over time builds. I cannot overemphasis what compound interest can do here over time. Do we need our own Diversity Internships? Thats something we could discuss. This will lead us having well balanced, diversed and inclusive projects at the Apache Foundation. Thanks. Awasum Yannick
