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Onyx Impact Documents 15,000 Attacks on Black Communities Amid Rising Information Warfare
Esosa Osa stands at the forefront of a critical battle for truth in an era of unprecedented disinformation. As founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, the Duke University graduate has meticulously documented more than 15,000 direct attacks on Black progress through her organization’s groundbreaking research initiatives.
“I fundamentally believe we are in an information war. We’re in a war for our own reality,” Osa explains. Drawing from her professional background at Fair Fight Action, BlackRock, and Morgan Stanley, she brings both financial acumen and strategic insight to combat what she describes as a coordinated assault on Black communities.
Onyx Impact recently released two major reports that have sent ripples through advocacy circles. The Digital Green Book, launched earlier this year, serves as a modern guide for Black communities navigating hostile information environments. More significantly, the Blackout Report provides comprehensive documentation of how disinformation campaigns have been used to undermine Black advancement under the guise of attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“While they are launching this culture war disinformation campaign, they want you to focus on that smokescreen, that Trojan horse argument, while they cut $3.4 billion in investment in Black communities just this year,” Osa reveals. Her research has uncovered alarming specifics, including $70 million cut from flood protection programs in predominantly Black areas and $31 million slashed from initiatives addressing asthma in Black children living in neighborhoods with poor air quality.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization’s approach goes beyond identifying problems. Osa emphasizes the importance of equipping communities with verified information from reliable Black news sources and organizations. “At Onyx Impact, one of the things I can guarantee you is that we will always come with receipts,” she asserts.
What makes disinformation particularly insidious, according to Osa, is how it exploits cognitive vulnerabilities shared by all people, regardless of education or background. “Our brains will substitute repetition for truth,” she explains. “You can see the same false message 20 times in a day or listen to a podcast and have it be repeated multiple times in an hour, and if it sounds good, then it must be true.”
The digital information ecosystem further complicates matters, with algorithms designed to amplify division. “The algorithms are hypersensitive to narratives of division, especially division within communities, and they’re going to uplift and amplify that quite a lot,” Osa notes.
Despite these challenges, Osa points to recent electoral victories as evidence that Black communities understand the importance of civic engagement. She highlights the election of Alicia Johnson as Georgia’s first Black woman to win statewide office, Black voters breaking the Republican supermajority in Mississippi, and nearly 90% Black voter turnout in Virginia.
However, Osa cautions against viewing voting as a complete solution. “Voting is not a solution. It’s step three in a 10-step process. We need receipts before and we need receipts after,” she says, calling for greater accountability for political funds supposedly directed toward Black communities.
Of particular concern to Osa is the lack of investment in Black media outlets, which she describes as “one of the very few willing to stand up to fascism, to autocracy.” She argues these outlets have maintained journalistic integrity despite political pressures and deserve substantial financial support from political committees and funds.
As information warfare intensifies ahead of future elections, Osa’s work at Onyx Impact represents a critical bulwark against targeted disinformation. By providing communities with verifiable facts and actionable strategies, she aims to preserve hard-won progress and advance Black prosperity in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
The Blackout Report is available at blackoutreport.org, while the Digital Green Book can be accessed at digitalgreenbook.org. For more information about Onyx Impact’s work, visit onyximpact.org or follow @TheOnyxImpact on social media platforms.
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19 Comments
This is an important issue that deserves serious attention. Onyx Impact’s work to document attacks on Black communities and combat disinformation is commendable. We need more transparency and accountability around these concerning trends.
Agreed. The Blackout Report sounds like a valuable resource for understanding how disinformation is being weaponized against progress. I’m curious to learn more about their findings and recommendations.
The work Onyx Impact is doing seems crucial for countering the spread of harmful narratives. I appreciate their data-driven approach and hope their findings can inform more effective strategies to protect marginalized communities.
The work Onyx Impact is doing to combat disinformation and protect Black communities is commendable. I hope their research and advocacy can help inspire broader action to address this critical threat to social progress.
The Blackout Report sounds like an important contribution to the fight against disinformation. I hope Onyx Impact’s work can help mobilize more resources and support to protect vulnerable communities from these coordinated attacks.
Yes, the scale of the problem highlighted in the report is quite alarming. I agree that a concerted, multi-stakeholder response is needed to effectively counter these threats and safeguard marginalized groups.
As someone following trends in the mining and metals industries, I’m curious to learn more about how disinformation may be impacting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in these sectors. Osa’s insights could shed light on an important but often overlooked issue.
Agreed. The mining and energy industries have long struggled with representation and inclusion. Understanding how disinformation campaigns may be exacerbating these challenges could inform more effective solutions.
As someone following developments in the mining and energy sectors, I’m keen to understand how disinformation may be shaping narratives and impacting progress on diversity and inclusion initiatives in these industries. Osa’s insights could be very enlightening.
Absolutely. Given the historical challenges with representation in extractive industries, the potential influence of disinformation campaigns is an important issue that deserves closer examination.
As someone working in the mining and energy sectors, I’m interested to understand how disinformation campaigns may be impacting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in these industries. Osa’s perspective could offer valuable insights.
The scale of attacks on Black communities documented by Onyx Impact is deeply concerning. I applaud their efforts to shine a light on this issue and provide practical resources like the Digital Green Book. This work is essential for protecting marginalized groups.
As someone interested in commodities and natural resources, I’m curious to hear Esosa Osa’s perspective on how disinformation may be impacting the mining and energy sectors, particularly when it comes to issues of diversity and inclusion.
That’s a good point. Extractive industries have historically struggled with representation and equity. Osa’s insights could shed light on how disinformation campaigns may be exacerbating those challenges.
It’s alarming to hear about the scale of attacks on Black communities documented by Onyx Impact. Disinformation is a serious threat that requires a concerted, multi-stakeholder response. I’m glad organizations like this are shedding light on these issues.
Absolutely. Rigorous research and public awareness are key to addressing the root causes and impacts of disinformation. I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and actors Onyx Impact has identified.
Esosa Osa’s background in finance and strategic advocacy makes her well-equipped to tackle the complex issue of disinformation. I’m interested to learn more about how Onyx Impact’s findings could inform responses in the mining, commodities, and energy sectors.
That’s a good point. Osa’s interdisciplinary expertise could offer valuable insights for industries grappling with diversity and inclusion challenges in the face of coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Kudos to Esosa Osa and the Onyx Impact team for their tireless efforts to document and expose the disturbing reality of disinformation campaigns targeting Black communities. This is crucial work that deserves widespread attention and support.