A Charlotte organization came together Tuesday to help close the digital divide by giving more than 100 laptops to local residents in the face of recent federal funding cuts.
At Queens University of Charlotte, “Digital Navigators” employees from the Center for Digital Equity opened boxes to distribute brand-new and reconditioned laptops. Bruce Clark serves as the executive director of Queens University of Charlotte’s Center for Digital Equity.
The distribution of laptops is the responsibility of the digital group. According to Clark, under the current administration, the Center for Digital Equity has lost almost $7 million in projected state and federal support. He believes that their support may have contributed to the loss.
According to Clark, we cater to underrepresented groups, especially Black and brown populations. Since our work is on equity, those were the places that were probably most affected, but the funds and resources weren’t going to go there solely.
Clark said that financing for initiatives they filed for under the previous administration was linked to the financial reductions.
The majority of the computers that were given out at the event were sponsored and supplied by AT&T in collaboration with Human I-T. As part of their pledge to investing $5 billion to help 25 million people obtain and maintain high-speed internet by 2030, AT&T is working to close the digital divide.
“People need to have the tools, whether it’s internet or a device, to thrive off all the online opportunities,” stated Kathleen Evans, regional director of external affairs with AT&T.
Staff members who speak Spanish were also available to assist residents during Tuesday’s program. One winner, Judith Miller, who lives in the South End, was happy to learn that she would be getting a laptop.
When I received the call informing me that I would be receiving a laptop, it was really emotional,” Miller recalled. “It is crucial. Since we live in a technological age, it is crucial.
Miller claims that she will now be able to speak with her grandchildren thanks to the laptop.
