As NFTs and Web3 emerge as an influential part of the modern economy, Atlanta educator Junior Bernadin wants marginalized communities to be more than just consumers in the space.
“I've always focused on the areas where people are feeling underrepresented, and as Web3 unfolds, we see people of color, women and Hispanics falling behind again,” said Bernadin. “You can talk about access, you can talk about resources, you can talk about the ability for people who have a little bit more. But how many places are actually educating our people?”
By the end of the year, Bernadin looks to bridge the education and access gap in Web3 with his newest project: the Bridge Builders NFT Foundation. The nonprofit aims to support underserved groups with information sessions, scholarships and opportunities to own diversity-themed NFTs.
Using Web3 to close racial gap
Bernadin’s nonprofit isn't the first to attempt using blockchain technology and Web3 to alleviate underserved communities.
Last month, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Bernice King and former White House aide Ashley Bell announced the creation of a digital banking and payment processing company aiming to close the racial wealth gap. The platform provides educational materials about risks and opportunities of owning crypto as a way to build wealth.
“Blacks and Hispanics are using crypto more because of a fundamental inherent distrust of financial systems,” Bell told Atlanta Inno.
About the nonprofit
The Bridge Builders NFT Foundation will be rooted in a token economic structure, said Bernadin. Those who support the project receive tax incentives and the NFT holders will have a stake in voting on the initiatives the organization chooses to support.
Bernadin is launching two NFT series in tandem with the nonprofit’s mission.
In a series called the Diversity Dollz NFT Collection, Bernadin will hold sessions to educate diverse women pursuing a STEM education on the opportunities of Web3 and donate NFTs with special meanings. The NFTS are themed — some may recognize historically Black colleges and universities or reflect people who have disabilities.
In the coming months, Bernadin also plans to start his Jail Birds series. NFTs of formerly incarcerated cartoon birds will be donated with proceeds going towards helping those formerly incarcerated find job opportunities.
A career in STEM
Prior to his latest Web3 and NFT endeavors, Bernadin had a career as a STEM educator.
He has been the dean of students at nonprofit middle school Ron Clark Academy since 2016 and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring earlier this year. Last year, the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognized Bernadin as a 40 under 40 honoree.
The impetus for the Bridge Builders NFT Foundation came as he saw a similar trend with diversity in Web3 that he saw in the STEM field. The NFT market became worth $40 billion in 2021, according to multiple reports. About 77% of NFT sales went to male artists, according to a research agency called Art Tactic. Revolt reported that as little as 1% of Black professionals work at Web3 companies.
To Bernadin, resources for education are key to making sure those gaps can close and yield the possibility of a diverse future for Web3 and blockchain.
“What happens to our Black businesses? What happens to our Hispanic businesses? What happens to our women businesses when they’re left behind by this technology and how will they keep up?” said Bernadin. “It's a must that we start training to be creators in this space, so when it's time to lead, businesses can lead in a way that's representative of their people.”
