Photo via MTV
Edited by Mara Meyers

This week we’re celebrating Prince’s legacy (and how it extends far beyond his music), why some aren’t celebrating putting Harriet Tubman on our $20 bill, and the irony of PayPal’s panel on gender inclusion.

What we’ve been checking out…

We’re not only mourning Prince’s music, but reflecting on the influence he had on so many lives, especially for those who are black and brown and queer. Prince gave them permission to be their most authentic selves.

PayPal must have missed the memo: When you host a panel about gender inclusion in the workplace, include women in the discussion.

All great talks have one thing in common. Chris Anderson reveals this secret ingredient.

Feminista Jones says putting Harriet Tubman’s face on the literal symbol of capitalism doesn’t honor her legacy

Adding the terms ‘cisgender’ and ‘genderqueer’ to the dictionary is a huge win for LGBT and queer folks, but widening our vocabulary isn’t the end all be all for inclusion.

Having women at the table is not the same as hearing them. The manologues have got to end.

ReFRESHing Talk of the Week: Jose Antonio Vargas publicly admitted to committing ten felonies, and instead of getting deported, he ended up on the front cover of Time Magazine.

The latest from our speakers…

This may be one of the most absurd presidential elections in years, but Jamil Smith’s new series for MTV, The Racket, reminds us why it’s still important to give a damn and get out and vote.

Speaker Spotlight: Jimmie Briggs is a certified storyteller. With years of experience working on the ground as a journalist, he knows what questions to ask, how to listen, and what it means to truly craft a story that you can feel.

Jackson Bird keeps us posted on what he’s learning and making at YouTube’s NextUp Creative Camp. Stay tuned for more vlog updates to come!

Despite the vile nature of the comments section, Samhita Mukhopadhyay still believes in the democracy of open discussions online.

MTV takes a moment to mourn the loss of Prince and honor everything we owe him. Jamil Smith shares his thoughts.

Although the visibility of trans folks has come a long way Tiq Milan points to the many ways trans folks are still fighting for basic rights, like the right to pee in peace.

Michael Murphy gets real with designboom about the social and political implications of buildings, who has influenced him, and his personal relationship to well-being and our built environment.

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