Coalitions matter. They help us see the big picture. They build strength in numbers. They connect the dots. I am a big believer that to solve almost any problem today, including the broadband gap, we need to work in alignment. That's why I'm so excited about the exemplary model of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. Listen above to find out why.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) is an organization that “advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act”. This week, we hear Deputy Director, Gina Cooper Benjamin, carefully define the digital divide and expertly contextualize its effects. She gives real-world examples of both the digital divide at play, and the type of work that goes into closing the divide.
Gina joined NDIA in 2021. She uses technology and data for social good. She has spent almost 20 years working in under-resourced communities and with under-served populations to close education and housing gaps.
Gina serves on two boards working towards equity, inclusion, and belonging outcomes. She’s passionate about introducing Black and Brown youth to technology and coding programs. She created a “Hacking IT” where she teaches teenage girls to get loud, get political, and get tech-ing. Before completing her master of public policy from Tufts University’s Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Program as a Neighborhood Fellow, Gina graduated from Wellesley College as a Davis Scholar and then earned a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.
In the discussion with Gina you'll hear more about their strategy to close the digital divide. Doing so will take collaboration and no one actor can do it alone. Grateful to Gina for sharing her insights with us.
[LISTEN] Gina Cooper Benjamin on Tackling the Digital Divide