In today’s rundown: Former felons want local lawmakers to “Ban the Box.” | Nonprofits use failure to improve their uses of technology. | A local resident becomes the first black woman to be appointed to an appellate court in Maryland.
— Former felons and their advocates are urging lawmakers in D.C. to “Ban the Box” — limiting or barring the “have you ever been convicted of a crime” question on applications for jobs and housing. They say the question makes it difficult for ex-criminals to re-integrate themselves into society and is discriminatory.
— Nonprofits from around the world are openly sharing stories of failures and barriers in order to improve their use of technology. The New York Times covers one meeting of FailFaire, “a recurring party whose participants revel in revealing technology’s shortcomings.
— Later today, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will swear in the first black woman to an appellate court in the state. Judge Michele Hotten will serve on the Court of Special Appeals in Prince George’s County. She’ll hear her first case in mid-September.
