North Carolina is a Case Study in Community Collaboration with State Government for Digital Equity
A southern state with a history of exclusion is a model for the rest of the nation for closing the digital divide while building lasting civic infrastructure.
A southern state with a history of exclusion is a model for the rest of the nation for closing the digital divide while building lasting civic infrastructure.
Like many states, North Carolina had to figure out how to plan for the successful deployment of over a billion dollars in federal funding for high-speed internet. But unlike many other states, North Carolina has yet to try to figure it out independently. With an ambitious strategy for community engagement and ownership, the state's Office of Digital Equity collaborated profoundly with community-based organizations and statewide coalitions. They have embraced the link between broadband expansion and civic infrastructure. They have lifted historically marginalized communities and allocated millions of dollars outside the federal dollars coming to the state for digital equity.
The Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative (DEOI) that I helped launch and is active in several southern states has prioritized North Carolina and made the state's most significant single investment to date. And this is for good reason. NC Counts Coalition has the infrastructure and experience to deliver for people across the state in collaboration with the North Carolina state government. Their story is a story that other states should learn from and carefully study.
The NC Counts Coalition is hosting its Annual Statewide Convening, "Don't Count Us Out," on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This coalition is a formidable force in North Carolina, boasting more than 100 members statewide. Their expertise lies in forging public-private partnerships and serving as a bridge between state government and community-based organizations. Their journey began in 2020 with a primary focus on Census outreach efforts, coinciding with the onset of the COVID lockdown. Recognizing the need to address digital equity, they shifted their focus accordingly.
The importance of institutions like the NC Counts Coalition cannot be overstated. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of significant federal investments, uniquely positioned to leverage funding opportunities for the betterment of communities across the state.
And yesterday night in Greensboro, Funders in North Carolina and across the country recognized the importance of ensuring access to affordable, high-speed internet. We discussed how it's necessary for education, healthcare, economic development, and civic engagement in the 21st century. During dinner, we also heard from special guests from the NC Counts Coalition and North Carolina Office of Digital Equity and Literacy and myself, who shared our insights about how North Carolina is leading the way to close the digital equity gap and build lasting civic infrastructure. As funders, we discussed what additional information we need to discern ways we might work together – and with the public sector – to keep North Carolina as a national leader in this space.
Guests included:
Stacey Carless, Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition
Maggie Woods, Digital Equity Manager, NCDIT Office of Digital Equity and Literacy
Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative national funder partners and team (Media Democracy Fund)
In the presentation, I emphasized the critical need for accurate equity in distributing federal resources for high-speed internet. I recognized that past promises of universal benefit programs have only sometimes delivered equitable outcomes. I highlighted the importance of states as catalysts for change on a national scale, advocating for a forward-looking federalism that encourages experimentation with community-led and driven private-public partnerships.
Given its historical context, I also underscored the South's significance and specifically praised North Carolina's leadership at the community, local philanthropy, and state government levels. This leadership has positioned North Carolina as a model for the rest of the nation through initiatives like the Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative.
Furthermore, I articulated the role of philanthropy in elevating national models of practical approaches, fostering long-term capacity-building, and providing matching funds to facilitate community adoption of broadband and digital services.