Digital Inclusion Now: A Pathway to Economic Mobility for Black and Brown DC Residents

October 7, 2020

Community Development Week ,

Home Events Digital Inclusion Now: A Pathway to Economic Mobility for Black and Brown DC Residents

As part of  Digital Inclusion week, we are partnering with Byte Back for a virtual event: Digital Inclusion Now: A Pathway to Economic Mobility for Black and Brown DC Residents.  The virtual event aims to  address the digital divide in DC related to internet access, & technology support programs.

When

October 07, 2020    
9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Event Type

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Digital inequities have been an issue in the District for decades. COVID-19 has amplified the digital divide, as tens of thousands of DC residents don’t have access to a device, home internet, and skills training. Investing in digital inclusion – access to devices, internet, and tech training – will help DC rebuild its economy post COVID-19 and increase racial equity, as Black and Brown residents get connected and gain the opportunity to build skills and careers in the new economy.

This is why, CNHED is partnering with Byte Back to host the virtual event: Digital Inclusion Now: A Pathway to Economic Mobility for Black & Brown DC Residents on Wednesday, October 7th. Not only does this event fall during CNHED’s annual Community Development Week, it also falls within Digital Inclusion Week.

Digital Inclusion NOW Schedule of Events

9:30AM

Welcome  & Opening Remarks
  • Evette Banfield, VP, Economic Development Policy, CNHED
  • Elizabeth Lindsey, CEO, Byte Back

9:45 AM

Internet for All

Mayor Muriel Bowser recently launched Internet for All, a $3.3 million initiative, to provide free internet access for up to 25,000 disconnected low-income students and families from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools. The funding, allocated from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), will cover SNAP and TANF eligible families for the 2020-2021 School Year.

Presenter

  • Lindsey Parker, Chief Technology Officer, Office of the Chief Technology Officer

10:00 – 11:00AM

Closing the Gap: Digital Access & Skills for Work in DC

The digital skills gap in Washington, DC is impacting how we work and who gets to work. The region is facing a tech talent shortage. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents still don’t have a home computer, internet access, or the skills to use a computer for key work tasks. Only 5% of white households in DC do not have access to high speed internet, while 27% of Black, Latinx, and Asian households don’t have access. With the largest gap in digital access by income in the country, it’s essential that Washington, DC works toward closing its digital divide.

Understand DC’s digital divide with these experts and walk away with solutions to increase access to tech skills and work while addressing systemic racism.

Moderator
  • Michelai Graham, Market Editor of Technical.ly DC

Panelists:

  • Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies, Director of the Center for Technology Innovation, and Co-Editor-In-Chief of TechTank, The Brookings Institution
  • Melissa Stallings, Chief Program Officer, Byte Back
  • Anne Marie Bairstow, Director of Skyland Workforce Center/Building Bridges Across the River

11:00AM – 12:00PM

Investing in Digital Inclusion for DC’s Future: How Black & Brown DC Residents, Businesses & the Economy Will Benefit

As the pandemic has eroded employment gains and the economy grows more dependent on a digitally trained workforce, who is being left behind? Half of Black workers and more than half of Latinx workers in the US need digital skills. The consequences of this digital divide in DC are huge, amplifying racist inequities while also further damaging the economy. Investing in digital inclusion – access to devices, internet, and tech training – will help DC’s economic viability post COVID and help Black and Brown residents build the wealth they deserve. 

Moderator
  • Evette Banfield, CNHED
Panelists:
  • Raymond Bell, CEO, H.O.P.E. Project
  • Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow, National Skills Coalition
  • Stephen Harrington, Director, Engagement and External Affairs, Greater Washington Partnership
  • Alena Stern, Senior Data Scientist, Urban Institute

About Digital Inclusion Week

Digital Inclusion Week is an international online event from October 5-9 to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs. #DIW2020 is sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance representing more than 450 affiliated organizations in 44 states working toward digital equity.

Submit Your Video Highlight

The Digital Inclusion Week team is creating a video to highlight digital inclusion supporters around the country! This video will be shared on the NDIA website and on social media by any and all participating organizations during Digital Inclusion Week Oct. 5-9.

We’d like all of you to participate!

Materials needed: Cell phone/computer & your smile (and internet of course)

Activity: Record and send us a 3 second video

Who: You, your staff members, your community participants, your child, your Mayor, your local celebrity – anyone who supports digital inclusion! Note: Please feel free to upload multiple videos from your organization, but depending on number of submissions, all clips may not make the final cut.

Where: Suggestion (not requirement): Use your city or org as a backdrop! Either somewhere on location outside in your town/city or use a green screen/Zoom background

Script: I’m _[your name]_ with ___[your org]_____ and I believe [use a suggested phrase below or make your own short phrase]

  • Digital equity should be our new norm.
  • We need digital equity now.
  • Digital inclusion means digital skills for all.
  • Digital inclusion means broadband for all.
  • Digital inclusion means access to devices for everyone.
  • Digital Equity is Racial Equity.
  • You should find out more about Digital Inclusion Week.
  • Digital Inclusion means ____[your own word/short phrase]_____.
  • [Your own very short phrase]

Upload your video file(s) and the awesome team at Chicago Housing Authority will edit the clips together for everyone to share during DIW.

Please name your file: YOUR NAME, YOUR ORG, YOUR CITY.

Deadline to submit: Friday, September 18

Become a member of CNHED today

and join the fight for a District where all residents can live in thriving communities that are racially, economically and socially just!

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