Dakar foundation has assembled our apprentices for the second BrownbagTV live podcast to be executed for municipal partner, the Los Angeles County, office of ISD on Wednesday, October 4th, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This will be our maiden voyage with Accelerated Radio. and we’re excited to see our team in action with Accelerated’s professional hardware and software. Last week BrownbagTv covered the Delete The Divide sponsored Empowerment Summit. , and it has given us much needed insight to prepare for the Tech Empowerment Conference in two weeks.
The Crew
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Accelerated Radio teamed up with The city of #Gardena and #SenatorSteveBradford to give “Live” coverage of The Gardena Jazz Festival! Show love to our students from #Inglewood interviewing #CongressWoman #MaxineWaters and #Mayor #KarenBass #Radio #Podcast @AccelRadio @YikesRadio pic.twitter.com/xsBrgiHK85
— Kevin Nash (@RadioFreeKevin) August 29, 2023
LA County’s Delete the Divide initiative was able to deliver 225 laptops for the students of the new @TheSeedSchoolLA in the 2nd District. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/4n9s0H6MN2
— Holly J. Mitchell (@HollyJMitchell) September 23, 2023
Why was DTD deployed?
On October 20, 2020, during the peak of Covid-19 Pandemic, the Board of Supervisors authorized ISD as the lead agency on the Delete The Divide Initiative (DTD). Through an innovative public-private partnership model, Delete the Divide seeks to unify efforts to provide youth, young adults, and small businesses in disadvantaged communities, identified through Covid-19 high-priority areas in Equity Explorer and U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Data “high-need areas”, who are adversely impacted by the digital divide with direct access to modern technologies, as well as training and support services, educational programs, technical certifications, job shadowing, mentoring, corporate tours, paid internships, academic scholarships, practical hands-on experience, entrepreneurial opportunities, and pathways to well-paying careers.
Yesterday, @deletethedivide interns had the opportunity to visit the @microsoft Headquarters for a comprehensive facility tour, gaining insights into various platforms. Additionally, they actively engaged in a panel discussion. #deletethedivide #intern #preapprentice #lacounty pic.twitter.com/gHo6ZajI4l
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 21, 2023
With technology being used commonly for work, it is essential to constantly adjust display settings in order to reduce eye strain.
Join us as a FREE member to learn more useful tips! #DeleteTheDivde #TechTipTuesday #HowTo #LACounty pic.twitter.com/rNP3w4p9wO
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 19, 2023
The Data Set
According to 2021 United States Census data, the median annual household income in the State of California is $81,575. The estimated median annual household income in Los Angeles County is $69,778, yet more than 1.3 million people in the County of Los Angeles are reported at Below the poverty level . Additionally, the 2021 Census data reports that 125 thousand households in Los Angeles County do not have a computer and 242 thousand households lack a broadband internet subscription. These households are disproportionately located in low-income areas and the populations are predominately Black and LatinX.
🚨Fellas THIS SATURDAY join us for our 7th Annual KJLH Men’s Empowerment Summit! With our Keynote Speaker @CornelWest & special appearance from Inglewood’s very own @DSmoke7 ‼️
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Breakfast starts at 8AM at @DominguezHills More info at ➡️ https://t.co/rumZgLkRWR #WeAreYou #KJLH pic.twitter.com/eV2G12r8WX— RadioFree 102.3 KJLH (@RadioFreeKJLH) September 12, 2023
Do you have a business idea that can help close the Digital Divide in South LA?#VisionLab @ South LA Business Idea Accelerator is looking for 15 entrepreneurs with innovative ideas that can connect more Angelenos in today’s digital world!
Apply now at https://t.co/YZqM58wNbL pic.twitter.com/e26vzRADDZ
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 13, 2023
The Circumstances
The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the severity of the digital divide within Los Angeles County. In an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, a number of health safety protocols related to physical distancing were implemented by State and County health officials. As a result, constituents encountered a greater dependency on technology to perform routine and daily activities such as working remotely, distance learning among schools, and the exchange of products and services. The sudden and large-scale transition to a virtual environment brought in clear view the vast disparities in access to information and communication technologies within underserved communities.
@deletethedivide participated in a groundbreaking event hosted by the Office of Supervisor @hildasolis for the Vincent Community Bikeways Project 🚲#deletethedivide #community #bikeway #internship #preapprenticeship #outreach #digitalequity #lacounty pic.twitter.com/8EBpkBKdeP
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 9, 2023
The internet shouldn’t be a luxury. With the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can get connected for less. Apply now and save on internet services. 🌐💰 #InternetForAll pic.twitter.com/kkosEO8cWX
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 7, 2023
The People
Hundreds of thousands of people continue to experience hardships due to technological barriers. Major initiatives are underway to provide computer devices and broadband connectivity to underserved communities. These are necessary and critical steps to ending the digital divide. However, equally important is the knowledge and awareness of how to effectively utilize and navigate the resources available through technology. The combination of access and awareness can expand opportunities for growth, achievement and advancement among disadvantaged populations.
Stay connected and empowered with the Affordable Connectivity Program! Apply today for a $30 monthly discount off your home internet bill.
Digital Assistants are available to guide you through the application process. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! @deletethedivide pic.twitter.com/m5cIQbYcUH
— LA County Dept. of Children and Family Services (@lacountydcfs) August 18, 2023
CERF/ Disinvested Communities
Dakar Foundation is a community partner with Delete The Divide, and has signed a data sharing agreement that will utilize AI to predict behavior and seek other community partners and alliances such as CERF. These entities include government, private corporations, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, philanthropists, and the sports and entertainment industries. Collectively, we can contribute resources to underserved communities to connect residents and small businesses to opportunities through technology. The resources will be centrally available through the Delete The Divide program and provide more direct pathways to personal development and economic growth.
Last week, @deletethedivide interns got to attend the 2023 Young Innovators Accelerator Pitch Competition.
This event showcased 40+ students from three LA-area Best Buy Teen Tech who pitched their most innovative business ideas & competed for scholarships.#deletethedivide #LA pic.twitter.com/8AzAfeNLlg
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) August 16, 2023
YWCA will be hosting a backpack giveaway while empowering teen voices. The event will be spearheaded for approximately 100 youth that will be receiving backpacks and school supplies. @deletethedivide will be hosting a booth and providing information on all our program offerings. pic.twitter.com/umt65mCYM4
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) July 20, 2023
Goal Description
1. Expose youth, young adults, and residents to the equalizing power of technology and prepare them to pursue one of the following: a) post-secondary education; b) employment in a well-paying technology field, or c) entrepreneurship. 2. Small businesses develop/enhance website presence, e-commerce, and digital marketing capabilities. Delete The Divide is employing 200 of the 1446 DTD members as pre-apprentices. The DTD members that are not employed as pre-apprentices have full access to all of DTD’s free resources such as IT professional certification training programs, technology training, digital literacy training, attendance at DTD sponsored events, etc.
Attention, LA County Residents! Get Ready to SAVE! Discover how to secure a $30 monthly discount off your home internet bill with the Affordable Connectivity Program!
Our LA County Digital Assistants are here to help, providing FREE assistance! #LACountyResidents #TechHelp pic.twitter.com/RHGMUPtA4j— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) August 2, 2023
🌟Let’s meet Nicholas as our spotlight for #TalentThursday! 🌟
Having experience in IT has given Nicholas a strong technical foundation where he hopes to make an impact in Cybersecurity or Tech Support.Become a DTD member for FREE! #intern #preapprentice #tech #lacounty pic.twitter.com/ax7QW22Mr8
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) September 7, 2023
Objective Description
Delete The Divide’s target service areas are among the most disadvantaged within Los Angeles County and our overall objective is to increase working opportunities and educational resources for the underserved. In addition, to transform the neighborhood businesses operating in the most disadvantaged communities through a wide array of partnerships with public, private, non-profit and CBOs.
Having access to the internet can mean landing a better job, getting an education, seeing the right doctor and staying in touch with family and friends.
Don’t get left behind. Take the California Digital Equity Survey ➡️ https://t.co/N5V8WT5DRh #BroadbandforAll #DigitalEquity pic.twitter.com/c0SVzR4ZST
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) May 26, 2023
Outcome Description
1. Expose youth, young adults and residents of underserved communities to the equalizing power of technology and prepare them to pursue one of the following: a) post-secondary education; b) employment in a well-paying technology field, or c) entrepreneurship. 2. Small businesses develop/enhance website presence, e-commerce, and digital marketing capabilities.
Get Your FREE Digital Marketing Assessment from our Small Business Connections initiative TODAY!
Is your local business making the most of its online presence? Find out with an assessment and get personalized recommendations for improvement.
Visit https://t.co/Bp4wb6mx4L pic.twitter.com/thoVQgOD7c
— deletethedivide (@deletethedivide) April 20, 2023