Kevin Hyrams, At-large Community Council member, with Building Connected Communities written on top of image

A Community-First Approach

The Community Council was formed to be a vital component of The Center for Digital Equity (CDE), along with the advisory board, to help guide the CDE’s work in Charlotte. The Community Council is composed of a diverse group of […]

Erin Royal from EducationSuperHighway with Building Connected Communities written on top of image

Your Home, Your Internet – Building Connected Communities

In 2022, The Federal Communications Commission created “Your Home, Your Internet,” a pilot program designed to increase awareness and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for households receiving federal housing assistance. ACP provides a discount of up to […]

Digital Inclusion Week Post with Photo of Elizabeth Cooper from Barings

Transformative Association: Barings’ Holistic Approach to Bridging the Digital Divide

Real change never happens in silos, and change for the better, the kind that makes a lasting impact, doesn’t happen without true collaboration and cooperation. As a global corporation, Barings is a company that understands that and embraces a holistic […]

Going Beyond: Championing Accessibility and Equity

If two words could aptly describe Dana A. Draa, it would be passion and intention. Draa, the Network Director-Metrolina at Veterans Bridge Home, was involved in the early iterations of the workgroups that would ultimately become the Center for Digital […]

Bank of America donates 10,000 Chromebooks to CMS Students

Links to various news stories: Bank of America: https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2021/07/bank-of-america-provides-10-000-chromebooks-to-cms-students-in-c.html Charlotte Axios: https://charlotte.axios.com/266961/bank-of-america-to-give-10k-chromebooks-to-low-income-cms-students/ Charlotte Buisness Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2021/07/29/bank-of-america-donating-chromebooks-to-students.html (PAYWALL) QCity Metro: https://qcitymetro.com/2021/07/29/bank-of-america-donates-10000-chromebooks-to-cms-to-address-digital-divide/ Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210729005131/en/Bank-of-America-Provides-10000-Chromebooks-to-CMS-Students-in-Charlotte Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-america-provides-10-000-100000496.html

Local news

Help us create a list of Charlotte organizations helping CMS families

Digital Charlotte is creating a list of Charlotte organizations supporting CMS families transitioning to Plan C all-virtual learning for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. As the Charlotte community is looking for ways to support CMS families transition to online virtual learning, we’re […]

The N.C. Department of Information Technology launches the NC Broadband Survey

The North Carolina Broadband Survey is designed to gather information on locations in the state without adequate internet access and speeds. The information gathered from the survey will: Provide clear data to guide investment of funds through the state’s Growing […]

An Innovative Workforce Development Board: Charlotte Works

Workforce development boards are part of a network of state or local offices known as the Public Workforce System. Workforce development boards support economic expansion and aim to develop the workforce in the United States.1 In Mecklenburg County, the prominent […]

News Briefs: Digital Charlotte awarded 2019 Digital Equity Project of the Year by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA)

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) today announced the recipients of NATOA’s 2019 Community Broadband and Digital Equity Awards, recognizing innovative programs in government, business and local communities nationwide. Recipients will receive their awards at NATOA’s 39th Annual Conference, to be held in Tampa, FL from September 23 – 26 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.

Rachel Kubie, reference librarian in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Reference librarians as superheroes: navigators in a precarious online world

At best, searching for reliable online information is precarious. At worst, it’s dangerous. A new breed of information superhero — the reference librarian — is a trained navigator of this new world.

Using digital literacy to prepare residents of correctional facilities for success

In partnership with Charlotte Works and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Digital Charlotte is conducting classes in correctional facilities to teach their residents the necessary digital and media literacy skills to thrive in an ever-changing, modern society.

A celebration of digital inclusion forecasts the future

Forty community leaders met in early June to brainstorm critical issues in digital inclusion, celebrate successes, and predict the future.

For students, and everyone, conflict resolution is a critical skill.

After leading a workshop for students in a new form of conflict resolution, a university chaplain says what young people need is exactly what the rest of the population needs — Beware of trapping yourself in an isolated information bubble. Talk with people who disagree with you. Focus on commonalities, not differences.