With the 2021 passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal government is making an historic investment to advance digital equity, including programs to build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills and increase access to the broadband necessary for work, school, healthcare and more. This funding builds on the early investments made by state and local funders who took immediate action to ensure that children and families had access to the connectivity, devices and assistance needed to continue learning when schools were operating virtually. It also represents a call-to-action for those and other funders who can now take action to ensure that these new public programs reach those most in need. Featuring a panel of philanthropic leaders and advocates who have been working to promote digital equity throughout the pandemic, this session will explore their progress and lessons learned to date and the incredible opportunities afforded through this new federal funding.
Presenters: Cheri Coryea, Digital Access for All, The Patterson Foundation; Shayna Englin, Digital Equity Initiative, California Community Foundation; Amina Fazlullah, Common Sense; Jack Lynch, EducationSuperHighway; and Ashley Pollard, MPP, City of Philadelphia.
Moderator: An-Me Chung, New America.