LA-Tech.org Aims to Lessen the Digital Gap for Students

We believe students deserve accessible and affordable internet. Right now, Black, Latinx, and low income communities can’t afford the cost of ongoing broadband subscriptions, in part because their internet infrastructure is limited, old, or poorly maintained in their area. Many of these families live in places that have been digitally red-lined.

According to a survey from the Pew Research Center 59% of lower-income families faced some form of digital inequity–with many having to log on from a smartphone, others who did not have a device, and many more who had to use public networks because they did not have reliable internet at home.

Organizations across California are fighting to lessen the digital divide.

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, USC hosted The California Community Foundation’s (CCF) Digital Equity Summit. The summit consisted of 30+ organizations, including LA-Tech.org, that came together to discuss the current state of digital equity in Los Angeles and how we can advocate for high-quality, high-speed broadband internet for California as a whole.

Several leaders in the digital equity space spoke, such as Sanford Williams, Special advisor of Chairwoman Rosenworcel, and Deputy Managing Director of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We celebrated CCF’s victories such as creating a Digital Equity Plan which utilizes federal funding for universal broadband access and digital skills, creating the California Alliance for Digital Equity, voting to establish a Director of Digital Equity leadership position in LA County, and more.

The attending organizations were able to ask questions to representatives of the California Public Utilities Commission about the lack of low-income areas on their latest map that shows locations that are unserved of high-speed broadband internet. We also heard from a panel of local leaders to discuss what they are doing in their day-to-day work to improve digital equity in the Los Angeles Area.

Attendees also participated in various workshops to discuss how we can best improve digital equity in different areas of Los Angeles County, build strong narratives, and capture real stories from the communities most impacted.

LA-Tech.org is dedicated to continuing its efforts to advance digital equity in Los Angeles County. On February 28, 2023 we are officially launching our spring LA Tech IT Academy, a partnership with Microsoft and LA County. Our program aims to lessen the digital gap through providing our scholars with the digital skills needed to launch a career in tech. Not only this, but scholars have the opportunity to work closely with leaders in the tech industry from companies like Microsoft, Fika Ventures, and more!

Learn more about our LA Tech IT Career Academy here.