Day 14. Lisa Gelobter the Innovator Behind the GIF
Celebrating the tech pioneer of Jamaican descent whose work helped shape modern internet media
The Hidden Genius Behind Your Favorite Internet Moments
Every time you share a looping image of joy, surprise, or sass — you’re likely using a GIF. And behind that ubiquitous digital media tool is Lisa Gelobter, a pioneering technologist of Jamaican and Polish Jewish descent whose work has quietly but powerfully shaped the way we communicate online.
Lisa was one of the key developers of Shockwave, the technology that enabled animation, multimedia, and interactivity on the early internet. She also contributed to the creation of the GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), which revolutionized how emotion, humor, and cultural moments are shared across digital spaces.
“I’m a Black woman in tech. I exist. And I always have.” — Lisa Gelobter
A Trailblazer in Tech and Equity
Gelobter’s impact goes beyond digital tools. She has held senior roles in media and tech at companies like BET, Hulu, and the Obama Administration, where she worked on healthcare.gov’s tech rescue. Today, she is the CEO and founder of tEQuitable, a company using technology to address bias, harassment, and discrimination in the workplace.
She represents a bold future for tech — one where innovation is built on inclusion, equity, and justice.
Learn More About Lisa Gelobter
📚 Read:
Forbes profile: Lisa Gelobter’s Vision for Equity in Tech
Equal Justice Society Profile: Lisa Gelobter
🎧 Listen:
Apple Podcasts with Lisa Gelobter
🎥 Watch:
Brown University: Thinking Out Loud
Today’s Reflection
Lisa Gelobter shows us how brilliance behind the scenes can shape the visible culture of our everyday lives. Her story reminds us that representation in tech isn’t just about who is seen — it’s about who builds the tools we all rely on.
What possibilities open up when we bring more diverse voices into innovation?
Join us each day this month as we spotlight a different Caribbean American whose legacy calls us to reflect, learn, and celebrate. These stories are about community, culture, and the contributions that come from the rich intersections of heritage and homeland. Our weekly themes will help guide us through different aspects of Caribbean American influence—from activism to art, invention to entrepreneurship—creating a mosaic of identity that is as joyful as it is complex.
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