SUMMARY:

The Broadband Adoption Taskforce met on October 4, 2022. This meeting’s focus was to share what local entities are doing for National Digital Inclusion week, October 3 to October 7, 2022. Updates were given on the two Board Motions that were unanimously passed, Request for approval to award and execute Community Broadband Network Service Master Agreements and The development of a county Director of Digital Equity. There was also a press release and video shared from the Committee for Greater LA Internet Action team, who just recently released recommendations for the county to advance Digital Equity.

Partners and attendees gave updates on events going on during National Digital Inclusion Week.

Eric Sasaki with the LA County Internal Services Department shared information about Technology Inclusion Day, held at SoFi Stadium, where 3,000 students in addition with community groups were in attendance. There was demonstrations of technology and programs for students as well as a tour of the stadium.

Paulina Chavez, Senior Director, Programs and Special Projects with Everyone On shared that over 200 organizations across the country are hosting events for National Digital Inclusion Week. Everyone On partnered with the LA Public Library and hosted two virtual sessions about ACP and low cost wireless options, and a webinar with NDIA to go over research reports and how it can be used in the work to close the digital divide. Everyone On also held a ACP enrollment event at  the Pico Union library.

Rebecca Kauma, Digital Equity and Inclusion Officer with City of Long Beach, recently named a 2022 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer city, shared that Long Beach will be highlighting all their partners for Digital Inclusion Week online and will be highlighting the resources provided in City of Long Beach. Long Beach Center for Economic Iclusion and Human-I-T connected in North Long Beach to provide residents in most need with hotspots and chromebooks, and their partners will also be distributing hotspots and chromebooks to residents who are in need of resources.

T-Mobile shared their list of partners and programs, including Project 10 Million.

Vision Lab shared their program that focusses on the digital divide through providing a 12 week curriculum to entrepreneurs. This program helps accepted applicants develop their idea into a business, connect with tech mentors, provides access to online business tools, and aids in access to funding opportunities.