Linda Jones - Broadband in Raleigh NC - GCS16

1. Digital Inclusion Track C
Linda G. Jones
Community Technology Advocate
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

2. Our Start in 2009:
• Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) with One Economy
o 1.3 Million for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure
o Sustainable Broadband and Adoption in 1,592 Households
o Public Computer Centers
o Resident Training Provided by Digital Connectors

3. Our Drivers
Private &
Public
Partnerships
Digital
Connectors
Program
Digital
Literacy
Trainings

4. Digital Inclusion Mission:
Our mission is to provide opportunities that help bring all citizens of Raleigh into
the Digital Economy using technology as a catalyst. Participants gain
resources that allow them to connect to valuable information, discover new
opportunities, learn new skills, and grow as individuals.
Connect / Discover / Learn / Grow

5. Raleigh Digital Connectors
• 2010-2016 Program Overview:
o Technology and Community Service
o 9 Month Program w/12 Core Competencies
o Saint Monica Teen Center
o To Date:
• Graduated 118 Students
• Trained 2,801 Residents on basic computer skills and the Internet
• Refurbished 632 Computers provided to worthy families
• Given 6,724 Hours of Community Service

6. Advisory Board
• Mission:
o To advise on strategies for promoting active participation within the City of Raleigh’s digital
economy.
• Formation:
o Team of innovative members of both the public and private sector
• Role:
o Identify resources to cultivate a culture of digital inclusion
o Support technology driven community programming
o Develop a sustainable support infrastructure, and
o Extend leadership capacity into the
Raleigh Digital Connectors Program

7. Measuring Performance
• NC State University Capstone – 2011
o Goal to Evaluate and Measure the Current and Future State of the Digital Connectors Program
• Community Digital Inclusion Pilot Project – 2015
o Goal is to get an idea of what technology access looks like within communities in the City of
Raleigh

8. Community Broadband Partners
• AT&T
• Google Fiber
• Alignment:
o Efforts are being made to provide access to technology for everyone
o Connecting communities with access to the resources that they need to thrive

9. Future Initiatives
• Expand Public and Private Partnerships (i.e. Universities)
• Expand Programming to include Elementary Students
• Provide Pathways from Program to University to Job Placement
• Triangle Digital Literacy Task Force
o Develop Regional Digital Inclusion Strategy

10. Partners
• AT&T
• Cisco Systems
• Citrix
• Housing and Neighborhoods
Department
• Crowder Consulting
• Google Fiber
• Global Knowledge
• Habitat for Humanity
• IBM
• Information Technology Department
• Kramden Institute
• MCNC
• North Carolina State University
• Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
• Raleigh College Center
• Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and
Cultural Resources
• Raleigh Police Department
• Red Hat
• Shaw University
• Startup High
• United Way Teaming for Technology
• Wells Fargo
• Wade Edwards Learning Lab
• Youth Thrive

11. THANK YOU!