What is We Them Media?

We Them Media is a collective of talented creatives across the globe, on a mission to communicate the viability of blockchain technology as a tool to expand the agency of Black communities to have a new level of control over our economies, culture, and ideas.

We create a much-needed safe space for BIPOC folks to familiarize themselves with Web3 and learn how they can contribute to the ecosystem while remaining in a supportive and inclusive community. For those already in the space, we amplify their projects, ensuring their voices and work receive the recognition they deserve.

The We Them Media Platform

This project is an experiment to see if we can scale a community-driven media company that is Web3 native. We aim to amplify the projects and stories of people of color pushing culture in new directions on and off-chain through compelling community-generated multimedia. By connecting with culture across the diaspora, documenting it, and bringing it on-chain, our platform strives to be a hub for creativity, innovation, and cultural preservation. By watching our content, you are getting a peek into the minds of brilliant individuals and their perspectives. Through podcasts, articles, and multimedia content, we document and share the rich and diverse experiences of Black culture worldwide. We also provide resources and educational tools to help individuals understand and navigate Web3 effectively, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community.

Join us on this journey to create a brighter future for Black creatives and entrepreneurs. Explore our platform, engage with our content, and become part of a movement dedicated to making a lasting impact. Let's build a thriving ecosystem together.

The Project: We Them Niggas IRL Interview Series

This interview series, funded by Friends with Benefits, features Maceo interviewing 12 founders and creatives of color who are active in Web3 across various domains, including decentralized science, esports, community advocacy, the arts, media, and product studios. Building on his work documenting the evolving on-chain music culture and highlighting key figures in that space, Maceo broadens the scope in this series to encompass a wider range of people of color experimenting with Web3.

Through these interviews, Maceo aims to provide his audience with a deeper understanding of minority representation in Web3. The series showcases the diverse projects and initiatives being spearheaded by people of color, highlighting the innovative contributions and value they are creating within the blockchain ecosystem. By bringing these stories to light, the series not only educates but also inspires a new wave of participation and engagement in the Web3 space.

Reflections From Maceo:

Hello, I am Maceo, the founder of We Them Media, a community-driven media company, and host of the podcast, We Them Niggas. I'm also a rapper passionate about community building. For this special series of episodes of We Them Niggas, Julian, Sirsu, and I have teamed up to bring you a curated set of interviews featuring an all-star guest list of people of color who are leveraging cutting-edge technology to explore the worlds of science, research, gaming, the arts, and community advocacy.

We Them Niggas is a podcast created to bring horizon-expanding content to Black people around the world. Our mission is to communicate the viability of blockchain technology as a tool to empower Black communities, giving us a new level of control over our economies, culture, and ideas. Below are some of my reflections on this project and a link to where you can collect the interviews to support us in funding more projects like this one!

nft://8453/0x5921D985Fe49A6870Aafb759dD49e7dc61d80E63/?showBuying=true&showMeta=true

What am I most proud of in terms of this project?

I would say that with this project, what I am most proud of is that this series of interviews marks a milestone for me. It's my first in-person interview series, my first time securing DAO funding in Web3, and my first time interviewing several people of color whom I've admired in this space for years. When I started this podcast, I was a student living in my college apartment, scraping by with financial aid and student loans covering my rent. I worked as a busser at a local restaurant, while my roommate was deep into PFPs and making money. He generously took the time to help me create a wallet, showed me web3 videos on YouTube, and introduced me to my first DAO, SharkDao. Since then, I've recorded approximately 40 interviews and contributed to DAOs like Water & Music, experiencing firsthand how to coordinate online using web3 tools and social platforms. Now, I'm nurturing my community, experimenting with coordination, and seeing support for my hip-hop-turned-crypto podcast from people I've met online. All of this feels like a significant accomplishment.

During those first months after learning about crypto from my roommate, I received my first airdrop, the ENS airdrop, from picking up wethemniggas.eth. With that money, I started my podcast, buying my first professional microphone and webcam. It feels like a full circle just over three years later to receive funding from the space for cameras that will enhance the production value of my content as I document evolving cultures and individuals around me. From this trip to Denver, we created content that not only demonstrates a progression in my portfolio's quality of work but also provides insight into pursuing future brand partnerships. Moreover, this project has given me concrete experience managing a production to completion. Historically, my interviews have been one-offs, focusing on individuals in web3 and beyond. This series was a different experience because it required me to be intentional, flexible, and nimble with my thinking as we navigated the conference and seized opportunities to interview some of the people of color innovating onchain who I have been watching. This project required teamwork, and learning to effectively lead my team demanded communication and accountability that have spurred personal growth. These skills will undoubtedly benefit me as I continue helping people tell their stories and shaping the future of We Them Media and my podcast.

What do I feel like I learned from this project?

I learned a great deal. It encompassed project management, engaging with new stakeholders, mastering the cameras acquired through community funding, and adeptly planning and coordinating with interviewees amidst live conferences and events. This project has been a comprehensive learning experience. It underscored the importance of proactive communication with partners and my team. For instance, throughout this project, there were instances where team members felt rushed or confused about various project components. Moving forward, I realize that regular team meetings and project status reports will foster greater accountability and consistency in addressing challenges, concerns, or any breakdowns related to deliverables.

What's the most interesting new thing that I learned about through these conversations?

I discovered decentralized science (DeSci). My first encounter with DeSci was at ETH Denver in 2023, on my final night there while trying to meet up with TK The Legend. After tracking him down, I found myself at a house party with people from around the world who are deeply involved in DeSci. Unfortunately, in the post-ETH Denver haze, nobody was quite explaining it to me. This year, at the FWB refraction event, my girlfriend and I met someone who, upon learning she was starting medical school, insisted we attend the DeSci summit the next day, promising it would be pivotal for her medical journey. The next day, Gabrielle, Julian, Fournier, and I attended the summit with plans to conduct interviews and delve into the world of DeSci. Through this one-day conference, I grasped the essence of decentralized science: a movement to reshape incentives in research and knowledge production, democratize publishing, and foster a community-driven scientific industry. I learned about projects ranging from space exploration to women's health, such as AthenaDAO and DeSci World, which highlighted the ecosystem's breadth. This experience left me with a profound realization of the parallels between opportunities for disruption in scientific research and publishing, and broader digital media like television, movies, podcasts, and music.

Advice on how to go about bringing projects to life that find engagement in Web3?

I believe the key lies in community. There's a plethora of on-chain communities pursuing diverse goals. Identifying those aligned with your vision before seeking formal partnerships and funding has proven pivotal for me. As a storyteller, my passion lies in forging connections, creating intimate moments, and bringing people together through shared experiences. I'm excited about

exploring arts, culture, and meaningful conversations that tackle real-world issues, leveraging Web3's tools to spark and nurture movements.

In Web3, various movements coexist: DeSci challenges traditional research and publishing norms, DeFi advocates for universal access to finance, and open-source software fosters digital public goods over corporate profit-driven monopolies like Apple or Facebook. Even within NFTs and on-chain media, there's a movement to empower artists and overcome the initial hurdles. Taste reigns supreme in this realm—if people resonate with your content and engage within the patronage culture underpinning the NFT ecosystem, you're on the right track.

Entering the NFT space requires immersing oneself in major communities that value creatives and their work on-chain. I aim to build a platform that supports such communities, starting with a commitment to partnerships like 40 Acres and Friends With Benefits. Attending conferences, joining online communities, and connecting with inspiring individuals are crucial steps for creatives entering this dynamic space. Flexibility and identifying where you can contribute beyond your art are equally important in building lasting community relationships.

We Them Media strives to be the go-to social network for creatives of color embracing Web3. Over my three years in blockchain and Web3, I've learned that googling topics of interest—like "web3 and anime"—can lead to discovering niche communities and projects, such as the NFT project Azuki. With time and engagement on platforms like Twitter, finding Web3-native communities has become more accessible beyond those heavily marketed protocols.

My journey in the NFT space began at Water and Music, where I conducted user interviews with NFT collectors in the music industry. Witnessing artists build communities and support each other through NFT collections highlighted the power of taste-making and patronage within this ecosystem. These experiences inform my approach to projects, blending research and conversational anthropology to foster meaningful connections.

My main communities—like black Dave’s, FWB, Take Up Space, and $crash—have been invaluable sources of support, funding, mentorship, and collaboration. Engaging directly with individuals who resonate with my vision has been transformative. While communities in Web3 evolve, the insights shared by their members are invaluable for navigating DAOs, tokens, and other tools.

To Keep Up With We Them Media please check out our online presence through our linktree!

https://linktr.ee/wethemmedia

What is We Them Media?

We Them Media is a collective of talented creatives across the globe, on a mission to communicate the viability of blockchain technology as a tool to expand the agency of Black communities to have a new level of control over our economies, culture, and ideas.

We create a much-needed safe space for BIPOC folks to familiarize themselves with Web3 and learn how they can contribute to the ecosystem while remaining in a supportive and inclusive community. For those already in the space, we amplify their projects, ensuring their voices and work receive the recognition they deserve.

The We Them Media Platform

This project is an experiment to see if we can scale a community-driven media company that is Web3 native. We aim to amplify the projects and stories of people of color pushing culture in new directions on and off-chain through compelling community-generated multimedia. By connecting with culture across the diaspora, documenting it, and bringing it on-chain, our platform strives to be a hub for creativity, innovation, and cultural preservation. By watching our content, you are getting a peek into the minds of brilliant individuals and their perspectives. Through podcasts, articles, and multimedia content, we document and share the rich and diverse experiences of Black culture worldwide. We also provide resources and educational tools to help individuals understand and navigate Web3 effectively, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community.

Join us on this journey to create a brighter future for Black creatives and entrepreneurs. Explore our platform, engage with our content, and become part of a movement dedicated to making a lasting impact. Let's build a thriving ecosystem together.

The Project: We Them Niggas IRL Interview Series

This interview series, funded by Friends with Benefits, features Maceo interviewing 12 founders and creatives of color who are active in Web3 across various domains, including decentralized science, esports, community advocacy, the arts, media, and product studios. Building on his work documenting the evolving on-chain music culture and highlighting key figures in that space, Maceo broadens the scope in this series to encompass a wider range of people of color experimenting with Web3.

Through these interviews, Maceo aims to provide his audience with a deeper understanding of minority representation in Web3. The series showcases the diverse projects and initiatives being spearheaded by people of color, highlighting the innovative contributions and value they are creating within the blockchain ecosystem. By bringing these stories to light, the series not only educates but also inspires a new wave of participation and engagement in the Web3 space.

Reflections From Maceo:

Hello, I am Maceo, the founder of We Them Media, a community-driven media company, and host of the podcast, We Them Niggas. I'm also a rapper passionate about community building. For this special series of episodes of We Them Niggas, Julian, Sirsu, and I have teamed up to bring you a curated set of interviews featuring an all-star guest list of people of color who are leveraging cutting-edge technology to explore the worlds of science, research, gaming, the arts, and community advocacy.

We Them Niggas is a podcast created to bring horizon-expanding content to Black people around the world. Our mission is to communicate the viability of blockchain technology as a tool to empower Black communities, giving us a new level of control over our economies, culture, and ideas. Below are some of my reflections on this project and a link to where you can collect the interviews to support us in funding more projects like this one!

nft://8453/0x5921D985Fe49A6870Aafb759dD49e7dc61d80E63/?showBuying=true&showMeta=true

What am I most proud of in terms of this project?

I would say that with this project, what I am most proud of is that this series of interviews marks a milestone for me. It's my first in-person interview series, my first time securing DAO funding in Web3, and my first time interviewing several people of color whom I've admired in this space for years. When I started this podcast, I was a student living in my college apartment, scraping by with financial aid and student loans covering my rent. I worked as a busser at a local restaurant, while my roommate was deep into PFPs and making money. He generously took the time to help me create a wallet, showed me web3 videos on YouTube, and introduced me to my first DAO, SharkDao. Since then, I've recorded approximately 40 interviews and contributed to DAOs like Water & Music, experiencing firsthand how to coordinate online using web3 tools and social platforms. Now, I'm nurturing my community, experimenting with coordination, and seeing support for my hip-hop-turned-crypto podcast from people I've met online. All of this feels like a significant accomplishment.

During those first months after learning about crypto from my roommate, I received my first airdrop, the ENS airdrop, from picking up wethemniggas.eth. With that money, I started my podcast, buying my first professional microphone and webcam. It feels like a full circle just over three years later to receive funding from the space for cameras that will enhance the production value of my content as I document evolving cultures and individuals around me. From this trip to Denver, we created content that not only demonstrates a progression in my portfolio's quality of work but also provides insight into pursuing future brand partnerships. Moreover, this project has given me concrete experience managing a production to completion. Historically, my interviews have been one-offs, focusing on individuals in web3 and beyond. This series was a different experience because it required me to be intentional, flexible, and nimble with my thinking as we navigated the conference and seized opportunities to interview some of the people of color innovating onchain who I have been watching. This project required teamwork, and learning to effectively lead my team demanded communication and accountability that have spurred personal growth. These skills will undoubtedly benefit me as I continue helping people tell their stories and shaping the future of We Them Media and my podcast.

What do I feel like I learned from this project?

I learned a great deal. It encompassed project management, engaging with new stakeholders, mastering the cameras acquired through community funding, and adeptly planning and coordinating with interviewees amidst live conferences and events. This project has been a comprehensive learning experience. It underscored the importance of proactive communication with partners and my team. For instance, throughout this project, there were instances where team members felt rushed or confused about various project components. Moving forward, I realize that regular team meetings and project status reports will foster greater accountability and consistency in addressing challenges, concerns, or any breakdowns related to deliverables.

What's the most interesting new thing that I learned about through these conversations?

I discovered decentralized science (DeSci). My first encounter with DeSci was at ETH Denver in 2023, on my final night there while trying to meet up with TK The Legend. After tracking him down, I found myself at a house party with people from around the world who are deeply involved in DeSci. Unfortunately, in the post-ETH Denver haze, nobody was quite explaining it to me. This year, at the FWB refraction event, my girlfriend and I met someone who, upon learning she was starting medical school, insisted we attend the DeSci summit the next day, promising it would be pivotal for her medical journey. The next day, Gabrielle, Julian, Fournier, and I attended the summit with plans to conduct interviews and delve into the world of DeSci. Through this one-day conference, I grasped the essence of decentralized science: a movement to reshape incentives in research and knowledge production, democratize publishing, and foster a community-driven scientific industry. I learned about projects ranging from space exploration to women's health, such as AthenaDAO and DeSci World, which highlighted the ecosystem's breadth. This experience left me with a profound realization of the parallels between opportunities for disruption in scientific research and publishing, and broader digital media like television, movies, podcasts, and music.

Advice on how to go about bringing projects to life that find engagement in Web3?

I believe the key lies in community. There's a plethora of on-chain communities pursuing diverse goals. Identifying those aligned with your vision before seeking formal partnerships and funding has proven pivotal for me. As a storyteller, my passion lies in forging connections, creating intimate moments, and bringing people together through shared experiences. I'm excited about

exploring arts, culture, and meaningful conversations that tackle real-world issues, leveraging Web3's tools to spark and nurture movements.

In Web3, various movements coexist: DeSci challenges traditional research and publishing norms, DeFi advocates for universal access to finance, and open-source software fosters digital public goods over corporate profit-driven monopolies like Apple or Facebook. Even within NFTs and on-chain media, there's a movement to empower artists and overcome the initial hurdles. Taste reigns supreme in this realm—if people resonate with your content and engage within the patronage culture underpinning the NFT ecosystem, you're on the right track.

Entering the NFT space requires immersing oneself in major communities that value creatives and their work on-chain. I aim to build a platform that supports such communities, starting with a commitment to partnerships like 40 Acres and Friends With Benefits. Attending conferences, joining online communities, and connecting with inspiring individuals are crucial steps for creatives entering this dynamic space. Flexibility and identifying where you can contribute beyond your art are equally important in building lasting community relationships.

We Them Media strives to be the go-to social network for creatives of color embracing Web3. Over my three years in blockchain and Web3, I've learned that googling topics of interest—like "web3 and anime"—can lead to discovering niche communities and projects, such as the NFT project Azuki. With time and engagement on platforms like Twitter, finding Web3-native communities has become more accessible beyond those heavily marketed protocols.

My journey in the NFT space began at Water and Music, where I conducted user interviews with NFT collectors in the music industry. Witnessing artists build communities and support each other through NFT collections highlighted the power of taste-making and patronage within this ecosystem. These experiences inform my approach to projects, blending research and conversational anthropology to foster meaningful connections.

My main communities—like black Dave’s, FWB, Take Up Space, and $crash—have been invaluable sources of support, funding, mentorship, and collaboration. Engaging directly with individuals who resonate with my vision has been transformative. While communities in Web3 evolve, the insights shared by their members are invaluable for navigating DAOs, tokens, and other tools.

To Keep Up With We Them Media please check out our online presence through our linktree!

https://linktr.ee/wethemmedia