The Center for Digital Equity

Workstream Meeting: Device and Connectivity
2025-01-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
This group of community partners focuses on determining and meeting the affordable device and internet connection needs of the growing digital inclusion community.

If you’d like additional information, please contact Ameera Bartholomew at bartholomewa@queens.edu or visit our Partner landing page.

Workstream Meeting: Digital Literacy and Skilling
2025-01-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
This group of community partners focuses on the tracking and supporting of digital skilling programs across the county from large, and small-scale practitioners.

If you’d like additional information, please contact Ameera Bartholomew at bartholomewa@queens.edu or visit our Partner landing page.

Workstream Meeting: Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development
2025-01-28 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
This group of community partners focuses on growing digital inclusion resources, partners and policy advancements across the community.
If you’d like additional information, please contact Amy Crippen at crippena@queens.edu or visit our Partner landing page.

Techsplosion: Black History Month Edition
2025-02-01 10:00 - 14:00 | AvidXChange, 1210 AvidXChange Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
Visit T-ATP’s Techsplosion and celebrate Black history while diving into the exciting worlds of digital literacy and cybersecurity! This event will highlight the groundbreaking contributions of Black technologists who have shaped these fields.
You’ll also hear from our amazing community partners about their work in advancing digital literacy and equity right here in Charlotte.
Plus, get ready to roll up your sleeves with hands-on activities! Try your hand at Python programming, explore the basics of drone technology with Drones 101, and tackle fun challenges in Intro to Capture The Flag (CTF). It’s a day of learning, discovery, and inspiration—don’t miss it!

Public Community Council Meeting (February 6th - Virtual)
2025-02-06 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. Most meetings are virtual (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvduGhrTMsGdOoiYUlLzFqEWVtXQRD4iyB

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Visit our Partner Engagement Landing Page to learn more and request to join our ecosystem of partners.

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.

CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.

What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Northstar Training
2025-02-12 10:00 - 11:00 | NC
This training is intended for organizations that are ready to begin or continue offering Digital Skilling services through the CDE Northstar Learning license. All organizations must first attend a Partner Orientation. If you would like additional information, please contact Ameera Bartholomew at bartholomewa@queens.edu

Internet Sign-Up Event at Chambers Point at Ayrsley (Access Charlotte)
2025-02-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Chambers Point at Ayrsley, 10124 Shaffer Valley Way, Charlotte, NC, 28273, United States
All residents living at Chambers Point at Ayrsley are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of your housing property. The Digital Navigator Service at the Center for Digital Equity will visit your property to provide 1:1 guidance to help you sign up!
Access Charlotte program participants will be served by digital navigators. Digital navigators are individuals whose purpose is to help meet digital needs such as technical support, education surrounding other available resources, and digital literacy training. Assistance can be requested from a digital navigator by calling 311 or using the CLT+ app. Along with this there will be aid to free internet access with no modem fees, data caps or contracts.
Access Charlotte aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Access Charlotte will improve and size up to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Those who are not current customers can sign up to request a self-installation kit and start receiving the service by calling 1-855-326-5115 or visiting a specialized Spectrum website. Current customers will automatically be included in the program.

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-02-12 12:00 - 12:45, 2025-03-06 12:00 - 12:45 | Virtual
New to the CDE or need a refresher? Join us as we overview our goals, vision and values. You’ll learn about services, how to join the ecosystem and dig in to partner collaborations. If you can’t make one of these meetings and need an alternate scheduling option, please email Amy Crippen at crippena@queens.edu .

Time: 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Link: Join Teams meeting

Goodwill Office Hours
2025-02-18 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-02-25 09:30 - 13:00 | Goodwill Opportunity Campus , 5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
Meet the CDE’s Digital Navigator team at Goodwill Opportunity Campus from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and get one on one help with your technology needs!
Digital Navigators help community members:

Sign up for affordable internet service
Purchase affordable technology
Solve basic device and connectivity issues
Learn new digital skills

Workstream Meeting: Data, Research and Program Measurement
2025-02-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
This group of community partners focuses on the information gathering, analysis and storytelling of the growing digital inclusion community.
If you’d like additional information, please contact Amy Crippen at crippena@queens.edu or visit our Partner landing page.

Skilling Course - Information Session at Anita Stroud
2025-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Anita Stroud, 1110 Rising Oak Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
Residents of Anita Stroud Apartments are invited to attend an information session hosted by Access Charlotte and the Center for Digital Equity’s Digital Navigator team on Wednesday, February 19th from 10am to 12pm.
The CDE is planning to host free basic computer skilling classes at Anita Stroud, and this information session will give residents an inside look at what they can expect to learn during the course.

Northstar Training
2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-02-26 16:00 - 16:45 | Virtual
New to the CDE or need a refresher? Join us as we overview our goals, vision and values. You’ll learn about services, how to join the ecosystem and dig in to partner collaborations. If you can’t make one of these meetings and need an alternate scheduling option, please email Amy Crippen at crippena@queens.edu .

Time: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Link: Join Teams meeting

Public Community Council Meeting (March 6th - Virtual)
2025-03-06 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. If you’re unable to join us in person this month, please join virtually (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlc-mrqj8vGtP_Xqc74FKqlwJtw1zPhj4a

Join us for the March 2025 Community Council session to explore the needs of the Re-Entry community with insights from service providers. Learn about digital opportunities and resources that can better support agencies serving individuals transitioning back into the community.

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Visit our Partner Engagement Landing Page to learn more and request to join our ecosystem of partners.

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.

CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.

What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Matthews Committee on Education: Digital Citizenship Event
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC, 28105, United States
Join the Matthews Committee on Education and community partners including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Matthews Police, the Center for Digital Equity and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for an event to discuss Digital Citizenship and ways to keep your student safe online. This event will feature a panel of experts, tools and tips and a Community Showcase with many other partners. You and your child will get to participate during interactive sessions and have a chance to sign up for a $25 gift-card drawing and a chance to play on the Video Game Truck after the event.
When: Saturday March 22nd from 10:00am-11:30am
Where: Matthews Town Hall (upstairs) – 232 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC
Who: Matthews residents, with a focus on school-age children
Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Those who pre-register will receive one entry for the gift card drawing. Additional entries will be available at the event. You do not need to be present to win.
Click here to register: https://forms.gle/8Chj9zc8haYK4ggaA

FY26 Focus Group-Digital Navigator Services
2025-03-25 17:30 - 18:30 | NC
Digital Navigator Services-March 25th 5:30pm-6:30pm

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-03-26 16:00 - 16:45 | NC

Public Community Council Meeting (April 3rd - Virtual)
2025-04-03 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. Most meetings are virtual (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvdu6vqj8qHtL2s66oN22YhKtfuWSugdck

Support for English Language Learners in our Community
Adult English learners encounter significant barriers to digital access, including the affordability of devices and internet services, low levels of digital literacy, and language difficulties when navigating online platforms. These challenges limit their ability to access ESL resources, apply for jobs, and develop necessary technology skills, ultimately affecting their language learning and integration into the workforce.
Community programs, public institutions, and employer initiatives can play crucial roles in addressing these issues by offering affordable technology programs, digital literacy training, and multilingual support. Expanding access to digital tools and resources is vital for improving education, employment opportunities, and social inclusion in these communities.
Panelists include:

Saira Estrada, Language Access and Immigration Integration Coordinator at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Lauren Rogers, Director of Community Outreach at International House.
Nimish Bhatt, Director at Universal Institute for Successful Aging of Carolinas (UISAC).
Charlotte “Nadja” Trez, Executive Director of Learning & Language Acquisition at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Visit our Partner Engagement Landing Page to learn more and request to join our ecosystem of partners.

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.
CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.
What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
