Comcast launched a nationwide digital equity tour in Detroit last week to help drive community awareness around the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides low-income families with a $30/month voucher to purchase Internet service, and ways to eliminate the barriers to digital adoption, including cost, equipment and digital skills.
Broderick Johnson, Comcast’s executive vice president of Public Policy and Digital Equity, hosted a series of events at the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan’s Dick and Sandy Dauch Club in Detroit. Nearly 20 community partners participated in roundtable discussions around digital equity and workforce development to learn about the challenges and opportunities to broadband adoption and how, as a community, we can collaborate to get even more people connected.
“Our commitment to broadband adoption has never been stronger,” said Johnson. “We will continue to work closely with our community partners in Detroit to ensure we’re addressing the most important components to eliminating many of the barriers – awareness, affordability, devices, and digital skills education.”
With the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, in most cases, cost as a barrier is eliminated. The program gives eligible households a $30 monthly credit toward their internet and mobile phone bills.
Johnson and Comcast also donated 75 laptop computers to help Boys & Girls Clubs members access the internet with the technology they need to pursue their dreams and career goals. This group included 17-year-old entrepreneur Erica Trussell who launched a fashion business with the help of the club. The company donated an additional 50 laptops to nonprofit community partners to support the Detroit residents they serve.
Denise Young Ogua, a Detroit senior citizen and Comcast Internet Essentials customer, also received a free laptop to help her access basic needs, combat social isolation, and broadcast her podcast. She received four more laptops to distribute to other seniors. The laptop donations are part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people over the next 10 years to help advance digital equity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities.
“We are extremely grateful for the 75 laptops from Comcast and their continued commitment to digital equity,” said Shawn H. Wilson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. “Our time collaborating today with other Detroit nonprofits on ways we can all alleviate the barriers to digital adoption was invaluable.”
As part of the event, Johnson toured the Boys & Girls Club’s Sandy Dauch Club and its Comcast Lift Zone, which provides guests with free WiFi access. All told, Comcast has launched 29 WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” in Detroit – including locations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. The company has installed an additional 29 Lift Zone locations across Michigan. Lift Zones are designed to help community members who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to distance learning at home.
