Anyone who has been in the Bay Area in recent years knows that the tech industry plays an outsized role in our daily lives. We feel it in things like our rent and the price of our drinks—regardless of whether we work in the industry or not. That's why Catherine Bracy has created a new Oakland-based organization, the TechEquity Collaborative, which organizes the tech community to advocate for policy changes that will ensure the region's tech-driven economy works for everyone.

Join Ars Technica editors Annalee Newitz and Cyrus Farivar tonight, 8/16, in conversation with Bracy at Ars Technica Live, at Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland.

Bracy will discuss the work TechEquity is doing to enlist the tech industry to fix the region's inequality crisis, as well as her experiences at Code for America and Obama for America. There will be plenty of time for audience questions, too. Doors are at 7 PM and the event starts at 7:30. Tickets are free, but please do RSVP with Eventbrite so you're guaranteed a spot.

Catherine Bracy is a civic technologist and community organizer whose work focuses on the intersection of technology and political and economic inequality. She was previously Code for America’s senior director of partnerships and ecosystem, where she grew Code for America’s Brigade program into a network of more than 50,000 civic tech volunteers in 80+ cities across the US. She also founded Code for All, the global network of Code-for organizations with partners on six continents.

Ars Live takes place on the third Wednesday of every month at Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland (3629 MLK Way). They have the best tater tots you've ever eaten. (So crispy!)

Doors open at 7pm, and the live filming is from 7:30pm to 8:20pm-ish (be sure to get there early if you want a seat). Stick around afterward for informal discussion, beer, and snacks. Can't make it out to Oakland? Never fear! Episodes will be posted to Ars Technica the week after the live events.

Again, the event is free but space is limited, so RSVP using Eventbrite. You can also keep up with the latest Ars Live doings on Facebook. See you soon, Bay Area Arsians!