Tech nonprofit Onyx Impact recently announced the launch of a new online platform dedicated to helping Black Americans maintain control over digital spaces.
Known as “The Digital Green Book,” the AI-powered platform pulls information from Black-led sources and historically accurate information to help protect Black communities from misinformation by providing access to digital literacy. Through the tool, users can receive unbiased answers to any questions they are looking to have answered. By using Black-led sources, Onyx Impact is ensuring that negative stereotypes- some of which are perpetuated by traditional AI tools drawing from multiple databases- are not being spread.
The site helps users recognize online misinformation and digital manipulation while also providing methods for ensuring that social media feeds are curated to users’ beliefs, regaining control of ad-targeted spaces.
To ensure children are safe on the internet, the Digital Green Book also assists parents with developing strategies to offer protection while encouraging digital literacy for their kids.
“The Digital Green Book for the Culture equips Black communities with tools, tactics, and resources to navigate a digital world that is often hostile,” said technologist, strategist and founder of Onyx Impact, Esosa Osa, in a statement. “Black folks deserve access to accurate, truthful information to make informed decisions and control our digital futures.”
The Digital Green Book is making waves, and Black Press USA is shining a light on its impact! This resource is built for us, by us, giving Black communities the tools to navigate misinformation and protect our stories online. pic.twitter.com/ayLB7JPbRb
— Onyx Impact (@theonyximpact) March 14, 2025
The platform is named after the 20th-century guidebook, “Green-Book.” Published every year from 1936 to 1966, the “Green-Book” was created by postal worker and travel writer Victor Hugo Green and his wife Alma S. Duke Green.
Initially made to cover the hotels and restaurants in the New York area, the handbook grew to include a variety of institutions sent in by field reporters and readers who could provide safe places for Black Americans to travel to across the country.
Through a sponsorship with Standard Oil, the book was available for readers to purchase at Esso gas stations across the U.S. Over 15,000 estimated copies of the “Green-Book” were sold each year.
