Forum 4: Connectivity Equals Jobs! The Fight for Digital Equity and Inclusion

Access to broadband has been a challenge for Black rural and urban communities. Studies have shown that universal broadband adoption and digital literacy are important for jobs, entrepreneurship, education, civic participation, and everyday life. The passage of last year's Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which allocates $65B to expand broadband in communities, creates more low-cost broadband service options, subsidizes the cost of service for low-income households, and provides funding to address the digital equity and inclusion, is an opportunity for us to tackle digital equity for our communities. For this session, an expert panel will discuss how we can advocate and leverage these resources to ensure Black rural and urban communities are to adequately compete in the 21st Century.

Moderator: Joi O. Chaney, Executive Director, Washington Bureau/Senior Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League

Panelists:
Nancy Flake Johnson, Urban League of Greater Atlanta
Spencer Overton, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Bret Perkins, SVP, External and Government Affairs, Comcast Corporation