Comcast, U.S. Conference of Mayors Announce Ten Cities Receiving Grants in Digital Equity Challenge
Today,
Comcast Corporation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced the
winners of the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant
awards program at USCM’s 92nd Annual Meeting in Kansas City. Each
city has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to expand digital training
programs to help close the skills gap.
In
the small cities category, Kinston, NC; Michigan City, IN; White Plains, NY; and York, PA,
will each receive $75,000 grants. In the medium-sized cities category,
Cleveland, OH; Little Rock, AR; and Richmond, VA, will receive $150,000 grants
for their submitted projects. The cities of Charlotte, NC; Los Angeles, CA; and
Portland, OR, in the large cities category, will receive $250,000 grants.
“Mayors
are investing in economic development that lifts people up instead of leaving
them behind,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom
Cochran. “The Talent for Tomorrow Challenge grants will allow the ten
cities to grow these programs and build on their success. By providing digital
access and skills training, we will be able to build a stronger, more diverse,
more equitable and inclusive workforce across the country. The Conference is
grateful to have a committed partner in Comcast, as we work to create economic
opportunity and communities where Americans can thrive.”
“America’s mayors know well that closing the digital divide
is intrinsically connected to the economic competitiveness of our cities and
towns,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief
Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation & President of the Comcast
NBCUniversal Foundation. “The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity
Challenge will help ensure that more people, especially those most often
left out of the digital economy, can take advantage of the opportunities that
come with acquiring digital skills. Comcast is proud to deepen our partnership
with the U.S. Conference of Mayors through this new initiative that will build
on our shared commitment to digital equity by expanding workforce and job
training programs for ten winning cities.”
The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge is a joint initiative of
the USCM and Comcast’s Project UP, and it supports the launch and expansion of local workforce
programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital
skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational
wealth in under-resourced communities. An independent panel of judges selected
by USCM reviewed applications and selected winners. To learn more about the
program, see here.
The following descriptions highlight each program and how
the Talent for Tomorrow grants will be used:
2024 Digital Equity Grant Award Recipients
SMALL CITY WINNERS
- Kinston,
NC—Digital Equity Corps: Administered by Kinston Teens, Inc. and the City of
Kinston, the Digital Equity Corps program focuses on 16 to 24-year-olds
from East Kinston, the most economically distressed census tract in the
state of North Carolina. It also serves those from vulnerable populations
such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with
limited digital literacy. The cornerstone of the Digital Equity Corps is
the creation of a structured curriculum focused on digital literacy and
skills development.
- Michigan City, IN—Michigan City
Digital Revitalization Initiative: The Michigan
City Area Schools (MCAS) Digital Revitalization Initiative is a
transformative project aimed at reinvigorating Michigan City through
coordinated planning and innovative community technology solutions. A
central piece of the initiative is an inclusive Digital Placemaking
platform. Created by MCAS and local partners, the platform integrates
wireless communication technology with community strategies, enabling
seamless connectivity for students, residents, and businesses.
- White
Plains, NY—Project Digital Jumpstart: Project Digital Jumpstart broadens Winchester
College’s Project Jumpstart programming, which aids disadvantaged high
school students in their transition to college and careers through
college-level courses, technology-focused coursework, and hands-on learning
experiences to equip students with skills necessary for success in the
digital workforce. Project Digital Jumpstart removes identified barriers
to participation in the existing JumpStart program, especially for youth
from historically disadvantaged communities.
- York,
PA—Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents: The City of York’s
Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan expands on successful
pre-existing digital literacy programming to focus on enhancing digital
skills among justice-involved residents, and features collaboration
between workforce, corrections, reentry providers, and human service
organizations. The Digital Equity for Justice-Impacted Residents plan
utilizes a three-tiered/step approach, with each tier focused on enhancing
the digital skills and employability of justice-involved participants.
Participants engage in all three tiers to explore career interests and
gain necessary digital skills to succeed.