The Center for Digital Equity

Northstar Training
2025-04-29 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
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

Public Community Council Meeting (May 1st - Virtual)
2025-05-01 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/tZ0pc-2tqDMqHtCxPkKf4w0YSgeSJfHXE6Pj

Join us for the May 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.

CDE Office Hours at Goodwill's Gastonia Career Center
2025-05-14 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-05-28 09:30 - 13:00 | Gastonia Goodwill Career Center, 359 W Main Ave, Gastonia, 28052
The Center for Digital Equity’s Digital Navigator team will be on-site at the Goodwill’s Gastonia Career Center every Wednesday to support residents with a wide range of digital needs. Services include help signing up for low-cost home internet, finding digital skills classes, exploring affordable computer options, and troubleshooting basic tech questions.
Visit the Gastonia Career Center from 9:30AM to 1:00PM for walk in support. Or sign up for an appointment in advance by visiting the link here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jeanelle-washington/digital-navigator-office-hours-goodwill-gaston-county

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-05-14 12:00 - 12:45
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 Zoom meeting

Net Inclusion 2025
2025-05-20 - 2025-05-22 | Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85226, United States
The Net Inclusion conference has been a staple in the digital inclusion community since 2016, bringing hundreds of practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers together to share their knowledge and discuss:

Local, state, Tribal, and federal policies impacting digital equity
Digital inclusion best practices from across the country, including new sessions on AI and digital equity, rural and Tribal outreach, and securing funding for sustainability
Digital inclusion programming, including the latest on digital navigators, digital health equity, accessibility, serving diverse populations, and community-centered work

Net Inclusion 2024 was the largest Net Inclusion conference yet, and 2025 promises to break all those records.
Visit https://www.digitalinclusion.org/netinclusion2025 for information on event registration and lodging.

CDE Office Hours at Goodwill Opportunity Campus
2025-05-20 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-05-27 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-03 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-10 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-24 09:30 - 13:00 | Goodwill Opportunity Campus , 5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
The Center for Digital Equity’s Digital Navigator team will be on-site at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus every Tuesday to support residents with a wide range of digital needs. Services include help signing up for low-cost home internet, finding digital skills classes, exploring affordable computer options, and troubleshooting basic tech questions.
Visit the Goodwill Opportunity Campus Tuesdays from 9:30AM to 1:00PM for walk in support. Or sign up for an appointment in advance by visiting the link here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/mcvadonmcde/digital-navigator-office-hours

Workstream Meeting: Data, Research and Program Measurement
2025-05-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
This group of community partners focuses on the information gathering, analysis and storytelling of the growing digital inclusion community.
Join the Meeting
If you’d like additional information, please contact Amy Crippen at crippena@queens.edu or visit our Partner landing page.

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-05-28 16:00 - 16:45
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

CDE Office Hours at Goodwill's Gastonia Career Center
2025-06-04 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-18 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-25 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-02 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-16 09:30 - 13:00 | Gastonia Goodwill Career Center, 359 W Main Ave, Gastonia, 28052
The Digital Navigator team at the Center for Digital Equity will be on-site at the Goodwill’s Gastonia Career Center every Wednesday, offering support to residents with a variety of digital needs. Whether you’re looking for help signing up affordable home internet, discovering digital skills classes, exploring budget-friendly computer options, or troubleshooting basic tech issues, we’ve got you covered.
Stop by the Gastonia Career Center on Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM for walk-in assistance. If you’d prefer to schedule an appointment, visit the link here to sign up in advance: Gastonia Goodwill Office Hours

Public Community Council Meeting (June 5th - Virtual)
2025-06-05 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! June is the end of our fiscal year and we will spend this meeting reviewing our strategic plan for 2026. Please join our Deputy Director, Natali Betancur as she overviews the goals. Your feedback is valued and we will provide an platform for you to submit written feedback. Can’t wait to see you!
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. Please join us virtually (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkfuqqpjoqGdDM4JTynA-Dzlzq9qcDu7pn

Center for Digital Equity: Orientation Session
2025-06-11 12:00 - 12:45, 2025-07-09 12:00 - 12:45
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

CDE Office Hours at Goodwill Opportunity Campus
2025-06-17 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-01 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-08 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-15 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-22 09:30 - 13:00 | Goodwill Opportunity Campus , 5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
The Digital Navigator team at the Center for Digital Equity will be on-site at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus every Tuesday, offering support to residents with a variety of digital needs. Whether you’re looking for help signing up affordable home internet, discovering digital skills classes, exploring budget-friendly computer options, or troubleshooting basic tech issues, we’ve got you covered.

Stop by the Goodwill Opportunity Campus on Tuesdays from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM for walk-in assistance. If you’d prefer to schedule an appointment, visit the link here to sign up in advance: Charlotte Goodwill Office Hours

CDE Office Hours at Lions Services
2025-07-09 10:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-16 10:30 - 14:30 | Lions Services, 4600 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, 28213, United States
The Digital Navigator team at the Center for Digital Equity will be on-site at Lions Services every Wednesday, offering support to residents with a variety of digital needs. Whether you’re looking for help signing up affordable home internet, discovering digital skills classes, exploring budget-friendly computer options, or troubleshooting basic tech issues, we’ve got you covered.
Stop by Lions Services on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM for walk-in assistance. If you’d prefer to schedule an appointment, visit the link here to sign up in advance: Lions Services Office Hours
