Comcast Hosts Digital Equity Symposium to Bridge the Digital Divide
Thought leaders, educators and community advocates joined Comcast at the BakerRipley East Aldine Campus for a dynamic discussion on advancing digital inclusion. The event, moderated by Telemundo Houston’s Antonio Hernandez, highlighted Comcast’s role as a leader in digital equity, ensuring everyone has access to the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a digital world.
“In today’s world, 92% of jobs require at least one digital skill,” Matt Summy, Vice President of Strategic Planning for Impact and Inclusion at Comcast, said.
This statement set the tone for the symposium, emphasizing the critical need for digital skills in the modern workforce.
The first panel, featuring Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt; Matt Summy; and Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO of SER Jobs, explored solutions to the digital divide. Discussions centered on available options to close the gap, building successful community partnerships, and identifying key stakeholders.
The second panel focused on the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan, addressing current community needs related to technology access, ongoing initiatives, and partnership opportunities. Panelists included Cindy Fisher from the Texas Broadband Development Office; Dr. Angel Harris, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at United Way of Greater Houston; and Ernest Lewis III, Vice President of Community Impact and Vitality at BakerRipley.
As a leader in digital equity, Comcast is investing more than a million dollars in Texas this year to bridge the digital divide. The company has established 53 Lift Zones across Texas, providing safe spaces for community members to access Wi-Fi. Additionally, Digital Navigators offer essential training to help individuals of all ages feel comfortable accessing jobs, learning, and healthcare online.
The symposium underscored Comcast’s commitment to digital inclusion and its ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to technology for all. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, you can read more about Project UP here.