Mission Report #04

Attending "A Black Lens: Exploring Representation in the Future of Extended Reality (XR)" – My Journey and Reflections

Greetings LinkedIn Soldiers!

I’m excited to share my experience from last Thursday when I attended the?"A Black Lens: Exploring Representation in the Future of Extended Reality (XR)"?event hosted by the Black XR Network (BXRN). This gathering was a powerful opportunity to gain insights, expand my understanding, and align my mission with the ground breaking work happening in the tech and XR space.

Why I Attended

For those new to my journey, one of my key purposes with?Caramel Soldier?is centred on?technology, innovation, and community engagement. A critical part of that mission is to document and connect?1 million meaningful conversations by 2028through the?BeCome Talk Cards, a tool I’ve developed to create meaningful dialogues and relationships.

Attending this event was a chance to explore how these cards could evolve alongside today’s XR and VR advancements. My goal was to leave with knowledge and insights from the experts and understand how the XR industry is navigating its challenges, opportunities, and its push toward greater inclusion.

My Key Takeaways

1.???? The Importance of Being in the Room There’s no substitute for being present in these conversations. Hearing the thought-provoking questions from the host and the rich, diverse perspectives from the panel was a learning moment that truly stayed with me.

As I sat there, it felt like the saying,?“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear,”?came to life. Being in the room helped me learn the language of this space and understand the trends shaping XR today and tomorrow.

2.???? Representation in XR is Critical A recurring theme from the panel was the importance of representation. Including diverse voices and stories in XR is not just about equity—it’s about building stronger, richer narratives. It’s vital that we not only consume XR content but also play key roles as creators and leaders.

3.???? Knowledge is Power The panel stressed the importance of understanding the business, governance, and legal frameworks that support XR innovation. It’s not just about having big ideas or being creative; it’s about understanding the strategic placement of those ideas within the broader industry landscape.

4.???? Support from Fellow Innovators Reconnecting with?Marika Beckford, a fellow graduate from the XR accelerator course I took with?Taran 3D, was a highlight. Hearing about her growth over the last two years was inspiring. While our conversations are in a space of mutual support right now, I’m excited to see how this connection evolves.

Panellists: The Voices Leading the Way

I’d like to take a moment to thank the incredible panellists for sharing their expertise:

• Tara Collingwoode-Williams (BXRN), for moderating with insightful questions that brought the conversation to life.
• Safiya Samms (Meta), for her perspective on industry trends and representation within one of the biggest names in tech.
• Nicalia Thompson (BXRN), for highlighting the importance of community engagement in XR.
• Berne Omolafe (PRYNTD), for their expertise on XR as a platform for immersive storytelling.
• Marika Beckford, for sharing her journey and growth as an innovator in this space.

Your insights were invaluable and truly helped me expand my understanding of where this industry is headed.

What’s Next for Me

This event has encouraged me to:

• Deepen my understanding of AI and VR: I’m working on assessing my digital skills and identifying the areas I need to grow. (If anyone has tips or templates, feel free to share in the comments!)
• Explore motion capture and XR further: I’m looking into how this technology could enhance the R&D phase of my H4RT dance project.
• Stay in dialogue with Marika and others in the space: While the focus is on mutual support right now, I’m optimistic about the possibilities the future holds.

A Final Thank You

To BXRN, thank you for creating a space for these important conversations. To?Taran 3D, thank you for the foundational knowledge and the tools you’ve given me to navigate this field. And to everyone I met or reconnected with, I look forward to continuing this journey together.

To my LinkedIn family, I’m documenting this process to keep myself accountable and share what I’m learning with all of you. Let’s keep marching toward a future where innovation, inclusion, and representation in technology thrive.

#followthemarch #caramelsoldier #XR #TechForGood #BeComeTalkCards