Houston Non-Profit Receives $35,000 Grant from Hispanic Federation & Comcast NBCUniversal to Close Digital Divide Disproportionately Impacting Latinos

New Latino Digital Equity Centers initiative to support digital skills training and help prepare Latinos for the workforce of tomorrow

Houston’s Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, AAMA, today announced that it has been selected as one of 20 Latino-led and serving nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a $35,000 grant from the Hispanic Federation (HF) in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal to enhance and expand its digital workforce training activities. The award is a part of the Hispanic Federation’s and Comcast’s new Latino Digital Equity Centers initiative which is a national effort to strengthen institutions serving the Latino community with workforce development and digital training programs.

With the funds, AAMA will receive a first-of-its-kind training program known as the Digital Accelerator, designed for Latino-led nonprofits to strengthen their organizational capacity, programmatic offerings, and reach in the digital workforce development space. In addition, the organizations will offer a Digital Career Center that provides both online and in-person trainings to community members seeking to increase their digital skills and get connected to employment opportunities that leverage those skills.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in today’s increasingly digital economy. Bridging the digital divide that disproportionately impacts Latinos is key to creating economic opportunity in the Latino community and a more equitable society,” Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation said. “We’re excited to partner with Comcast to equip Latinos with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.”

Over the next decade, 50% of tasks across all industries are expected to go digital, eliminating as many as 39 million jobs—and by 2030, at least two-thirds of jobs will require some level of digital skills. Latino workers are 14% of overall workers but represent 35% of workers with no digital skills and 20% of those with limited digital skills.

“Digital literacy and access to technology can ignite a new passion and open doors to future career paths,” Toni Beck, Vice President of External Affairs for Comcast’s Houston Region. “This funding will empower people and create opportunities for those who need it most.”

Because Latino workers tend to work in less digital-facing fields, they are at higher risk for future under- and unemployment. With the new grant, AAMA aims to continue to serve its nearly 1,000 students and clients. Nationwide, the initiative will train 6,000 Latinos over the next year.

In selecting grantees for the Latino Digital Equity Centers Program, Hispanic Federation prioritized Latino-led and serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated track record providing workforce development to Latino communities and commitment to enhance or expand a digital skills training program.

This program builds on Comcast’s long-term commitment to advance digital equity through its Internet Essentials program which offers low-cost high-speed internet plans to qualifying families.

Comcast NBCUniversal’s partnership with the Hispanic Federation is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.