Web3 projects aren’t always known for how welcoming or different it is. Even though the NFT space needs to do everything it can to avoid being seen as a one-dimensional club for the wealthy and powerful, the idea that white men dominate it is becoming more and more of a stereotype.

Research from Charles Schwab shows that more black Americans than white Americans own cryptocurrency. Only 15% of white Americans own any kind of crypto, while 25% of black Americans do. When you look at investors under 40 years old, that split jumps to 38 and 29 percent, respectively.

But beyond crypto ownership, there are a lot of Web3 projects that work directly towards racial justice, equality, and inclusion that are often missed. Here, we talk about five Web3 projects and organisations that help marginalised communities with education, finances, and artistic collaborations so that they don’t miss out on the economic and social empowerment NFT space offers.

The 50mm Group

50mm group is a group of digital artists that Raven Trammell and Chelsea Quintela started. It helps underrepresented communities and artists by giving them opportunities and resources. The collective’s main goal is to help BIPOC queer and trans artists by putting together online galleries, holding educational workshops often, and putting them in touch with collectors in the space. The group also has an online shop where people can buy clothes and accessories. All of the money from the shop goes back to the 50mm Collective to help pay the artists.

Black@

Black@ is a community of Black investors, entrepreneurs, and artists. It was started by Harold Hughes, Shondra Washington, and Audrey Taylor-Akwenye in February 2022. The goal of the group is to make a place (both online and in real life) where founders and creators can be themselves and share knowledge to help each other make better work and add value to each other’s work through the lens of Web3.

By buying a Black@ membership NFT, people get access to the group’s private chat and subgroups, as well as discounts on services and free access to online and in-person events like community-led workshops, happy hours, AMAs, and more.

Also, read – 5 Ways To Improve Inclusivity In Metaverse For Everybody

HumanDAO

HumanDAO is a socially-minded Web3 project using blockchain technology to give marginalised communities new ways to make money through opportunities for play-to-earn (P2E) and learn-to-earn (L2E). For P2E, the DAO has a scholarship programme where members can borrow game assets so they can play games like Axie Infinity. Members who play the game earn tokens, some of which go back to the DAO.

HumanDAO gives its scholars L2E opportunities (through HumanDAO Academy) and crypto identities that they can use to build their Web3 resumes. The Pocket Assistant NFT programme is also a unique part of what the DAO has to offer. Pocket Assistant NFT holders have access to a pool of helpers who do simple tasks, giving people in underserved areas a way to make money. Tasks can be personal, like looking up flights, or they can be work-related or related to Web3. Last year, the Proof Collective gave HumanDAO 50 Moonbirds Oddities as part of its work to make sure that Web3 opportunities are available to underserved communities.

The project for black artists

The Black Arts Project is a curated NFT initiative that works with both well-known and up-and-coming Black artists to make exclusive NFT collections. The money made from these collections will be used to help artists in underserved communities. The group’s first project is a collection of 10,000 generative NFTs by the artist Aurélia Durand. These NFTs are a modern take on traditional African art, with influences from 80s hip-hop culture and Henri Matisse.

We’ve launched our TIKTOK channel!! Check out our videos at https://t.co/cFBOE6Pve1 for fun & engaging content on the black arts, NFTs, art history and much more. #theblackarts #nfts #digitalart @4ur3liad pic.twitter.com/Ieb0jAR8C6

— The BLACK ARTS Project (@TheBlackArtsNFT) April 12, 2022

Code Green

Code Green is a Web3 project that aims to bring underprivileged groups into the economic empowerment that Web3 offers. The organisation puts out collections on NFT space, metaverse games, and other tech tools that help the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on social and climate justice, gender equality, and humanitarian aid.

Amazing speech and life story by @Innamodja at @NFTFactoryParis. A fighter for women rights and climate justice since she was 19 yo.
She co-founded @CodeGreen_nft, a project you definitely should take a look at 🤍 pic.twitter.com/44ljV4Rilj

— Tazz (@tazzista) February 25, 2023

Code Green puts itself at the intersection of social and environmental justice and the Web3 world. Because of this, they were nominated for Best Metaverse Project at The Crypties awards show in December 2022. Inna Modja is in charge of the group. She is also the Head of Philanthropy at World of Women.