Digital Equity
Digital Navigators: On the Frontlines of Making A Difference
Digital Equity
Digital Navigators: On the Frontlines of Making A Difference
By Dalila Wilson-Scott
|
Oct 08, 2024
Digital connectivity is at the center of nearly every part of our lives –– shaping the ways we work, learn, and engage with others. It has the power to break down barriers, increase pathways to economic mobility, and build stronger, more prosperous communities. Yet, closing the digital divide remains a pervasive challenge because it requires continuous education, investment and partnership to ensure everyone can meaningfully participate in our digital society. While our engagement is year round, this week, Digital Inclusion Week, is an annual opportunity to reflect, recognize and celebrate our collective impact by shining a light on organizations across the country that are enhancing community-level digital equity opportunities, and are mobilizing to do even more in the year ahead.
Since 2021, Comcast has invested more than $60 million in nonprofit organizations that are getting and keeping people connected to the Internet. A core focus of this work has been to build and expand a nationwide network of Digital Navigators — trusted community members affiliated with local nonprofits, educational institutions, or governmental organizations who are trained to help people learn how to get online, use technology and devices, leverage resources, and acquire digital skills.
$60M+
Invested by Comcast in nonprofit organizations
Digital Navigators are also a key component of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to advance digital equity through programs and partnerships that connect people to the Internet and equip them with the resources to thrive. And digital navigation programs are an essential tool in leveraging the once in a generation, multibillion dollar federal investment known as the Digital Equity Act.
The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Digital Navigator Network is one example that demonstrates how a network of trusted organizations can have a great impact in their community. Through Comcast’s investment, after four years and an expansion from three to 11 organizations, Digital Navigators in the Network have assisted more than 7,650 clients in 10 counties, connecting over 1,850 of them with devices, and 1,100 with digital skills training. And in Delaware County, Digital Navigators are helping seniors to save money on their mobile phone and Internet bills, use online banking apps for the very first time, and modify accessibility settings to make their devices easier to use.
Another organization that has made great strides in bridging the digital divide is LGBT Tech. Through its new Digital Navigator Program, LGBT Tech has reached over 513,000 LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide in just the last year. But our work to further digital equity doesn’t end there.
Recently, Comcast launched the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge, a joint initiative with the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) to support the expansion of local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth building. At the USCM Summer Meeting, we announced 10 cities that were awarded grants to advance their innovative work, including small cities such as York, PA and Michigan City, IN; mid-sized cities such as Little Rock and Richmond; and large cities including Portland, OR and Los Angeles.
Without question, broadband adoption and digital skill-building provide new pathways to opportunity, but none of this would be possible without public-private partnerships that engage community-based organizations on the frontlines of making a difference through the direct deployment of services and programming.
Our approach to digital equity will always reflect the evolving needs of the communities we serve. We remain committed to nurturing a network of leaders to bridge divides and address systemic inequities to better ensure that no community is left behind.
Dalila Wilson-Scott is Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
