Seattle tech and business leaders form racial justice coalition, demand police reforms, Seattle ranks as the best city for gamers, and more from this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

Seattle Tech and Business Leaders Form Racial Justice Coalition, Demand Police Reforms

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | June 18

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattle-tech-business-leaders-form-racial-justice-coalition-demand-police-reforms/

“Hundreds of Seattle-area business and technology leaders formed a coalition this week to push for racial equity at their companies and in city government. The Washington Coalition of Businesses for Racial Justice sent a letter to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Tuesday urging her to implement police reforms recommended by Seattle’s Community Police Commission. The demands include opening up disciplinary hearings to the public and removing limitations, deadlines, and other barriers to investigating police misconduct.”

Seattle Ranks as the Best City for Gamers. Here’s Why:

Seattle PI | Callie Craighead | June 17

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/slideshow/seattle-ranks-as-the-best-city-for-gamers-203843.php

“Despite major events like Emerald City Comic Con and PAX West being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle’s geek culture still has something to cheer about: a new study by Wallethub ranked Seattle as the most gamer friendly city in the U.S. For some, this title might not come as a surprise. Seattle has become a thriving tech hub, and companies like Big Fish Games, Nintendo, Amazon Studios, Pokemon Company, Bungie, Oculus VR and Microsoft Studios helped create a multibillion-dollar gaming industry in the city.”

Seattle Tech Salaries Third Best in U.S. as New Report Highlights Coronavirus and Remote Work Concerns

GeekWire | Kurt Schlosser | June 16

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattle-tech-salaries-third-best-u-s-new-report-highlights-coronavirus-remote-work-concerns/

“Career marketplace Hired is out with its annual State of Salaries report for the tech industry, and among leading hubs, Seattle showed the most modest increase in pay at just 3 percent. But the region’s $142,000 average salary is still good enough for third highest behind only San Francisco and New York…The average salary in Seattle would be $188,000 a year if adjusted for San Francisco’s cost of living, third behind Denver ($202,000) and Austin ($224,000).”

City of Seattle Awards $320K to 15 Non-Profit Organizations for Digital Equity Projects

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | June 15

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/city-seattle-awards-320k-15-non-profit-organizations-digital-equity-projects/

“The City of Seattle announced recipients of its 2020 Technology Matching Fund, an annual grant program supporting non-profit organizations that help bridge the digital divide. A total of $345,000, which included a $25,000 contribution from the Verizon Foundation, will go to 15 groups around the Seattle region…For more than two decades, the Technology Matching Fund has been awarding grants to fund digital equity projects at non-profits around the city. The program is one branch of Seattle’s Digital Equity Initiative.”