In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Topher DeRosa, founder of Hero Press, about his journey and the platform's impact on the WordPress community. They discuss HeroPress's origins, challenges, and successes, highlighting its role in amplifying diverse voices through published essays. Topher shares inspiring stories from contributors worldwide and touches on fundraising efforts and the community's support. The episode underscores the importance of inclusivity and the transformative power of sharing personal experiences within the WordPress ecosystem. The conversation concludes with reflections on community events and the significance of connection and support.

Top Takeaways

• Community and Connection at Events: They discuss the importance of events like WordCamp as spaces for learning, networking, and finding belonging. Michelle emphasizes that these gatherings reinforce the idea that the WordPress community is friendly, welcoming, and eager to support each other.
• Language as a Tool for Inclusion: Topher talks about making HeroPress content available in multiple languages to cater to non-English speakers. He learned that people, even if fluent in English, often prefer reading in their native language, feeling a stronger connection to the content. His approach shows how inclusive language access can make individuals feel valued.
• Genuine Diversity Efforts: Topher initially counted contributors by gender to ensure balance, but he eventually stopped tracking as inclusivity became natural. This shift demonstrates that diversity efforts, when sustained, can evolve into an ingrained organizational culture.
• Personal Stories as Inspiration: Michelle highlighted how HeroPress stories provide valuable insights into people’s journeys, which can be inspiring and informative for others, especially when considering hiring or collaborating. These stories create a sense of community by showcasing the resilience and achievements of individuals across different backgrounds.

Mentioned Links:

• Topher DeRosa
• Hero Press
• Andrey Shevchenko
• WordCamp Pune
• Slack
• Twitter
• Nexcess
• LiquidWeb
• Human Made
• WP Coffee Talk
• Automattic
• Collins Agbonghama
• Tijana Andrejic
• Thabo Tswana
• Robert Cheleuka
• WordPress.org
• Morten Rand-Hendriksen
• Josepha Haden Chomphosy
• Weglot
• Yoast
• BlackPress

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🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter:

• Topher DeRosa (Founder, HeroPress)
• Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status)
• Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status)

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