Comcast today announced it will award $25,000 to nonprofit Brilliant Detroit and a total of 500 laptop computers, valued at $150,000, in partnership with Detroit Housing Commission and Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to help advance digital equity for even more Detroit students and families. The computer donations and grants are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world.
The announcement celebrates Connect 313’s Detroit Digital Inclusion Week 2021, which is an initiative to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet adoption, personal devices, technology, innovation and support platforms for Detroit citizens and small business.
“I would like to recognize Comcast for their continuing efforts to advance digital equity in Detroit,” said Joshua Edmonds, City of Detroit director of Digital Inclusion. “Whether it’s grants to promote the value of internet adoption, electronic devices, the company’s Internet Essentials program or their investment in establishing numerous Comcast Lift Zones in our city’s community centers, we appreciate their commitment to addressing the many barriers to getting online that Detroit families face.”
The $25,000 given to Brilliant Detroit will help support digital literacy programming, education and awareness of the Federal Government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit and other digital inclusion efforts. Brilliant Detroit operates homes in high-need Detroit neighborhoods. The homes offer proven programming to families and children, so they have what they need to be school-ready, healthy and stable. This includes a place to get connected to the internet.
Comcast in partnership with the Detroit Housing Commission and Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan will distribute the 500 laptops and information promoting digital literacy to low-income affordable housing residents. Research shows low-income students and their families face numerous broadband adoption challenges, including housing insecurity, literacy challenges, language barriers and broadband relevancy issues. Comcast’s digital equity efforts are designed to address all these challenges.
“Bridging the digital divide and raising awareness of digital adoption have been critical priorities for Comcast since 2011, and these are important now more than ever,” said Craig D’Agostini, vice president of External Affairs for Comcast in Michigan. “Working side by side with our public, private and nonprofit partners is key to leveling the digital playing field in Detroit.”
For the past 10 years, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has connected more people to the internet and to the technology they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world. The program offers low-income families high-speed broadband Internet service for $9.95 per month, the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available to new and existing Internet customers who qualify across all tiers of service, including Internet Essentials. Families can receive up to a $50/month credit on their Internet bill from Comcast. Click here for more information.
Additionally, Comcast has launched 23 Lift Zones in the City of Detroit in the past year to assist families who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to the Internet in their home. Lift Zones provide free robust WiFi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students and families get online, participate in distance learning, do homework, search for jobs, access healthcare information and public assistance.
