The City of Detroit has launched eight new technology hubs to give residents access to the internet and digital literacy training in various neighborhoods.
Technology hubs must provide free Wi-Fi, provide basic digital literacy training software, and be equipped with devices such as laptops that residents can use. Detroit’s digital divide is on the city’s priority list for closing the gap between residents who have access to the internet and hardware and those who don’t.
“We have 220,000 people living in poverty or below, and this is critical. If we don’t provide them with the basic digital literacy skills training they need, they will be less prepared for job opportunities. In turn, we want to ensure that we provide development and training for IT talent in each of these technology hubs,” said Christine Burkett, director of digital equity and inclusion. said Monday at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan’s Dick and Sandy Douch campus. He is one of the eight hubs.
Six more technology hubs in the city are awaiting approval. Mr. Burkett’s goal is to have his five locations in every Congressional district. The hub will have signs posted indicating it is certified by the City of Detroit. Hubs will be evaluated to determine whether they offer device loan programs, IT talent training, wheelchair accessibility, technical support, and English language resources. Organizations can register online to operate a certified technology hub at detroitmi.gov/digitalequity.
“We’ve all heard about the digital divide, but the pandemic has made us increasingly aware of the need for fair, fast, and high-speed internet,” said Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison. It also has to be available.” He said.
Comcast’s Rift Zone accounts for three of the first eight hubs. The city spent about $535,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds upgrading the recreation center, which will serve as a hub.
The online interactive map includes eight hubs:
- Dick and Sandy Club, Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Michigan, 16500 Tireman Ave.
- Adams Buzzell Recreation Center, 10500 Lyndon St.
- Comcast Lift Zone at SAY Detroit Play Center, 19320 Van Dyke Ave.
- Stoudemire Wellness Center, Eastside Community Network, 4401 Conner St.
- Comcast Lift Zone at the Detroit Housing Commission Initiative Center, 1047 E. Canfield St.
- Roberto Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley St.
- Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St.
- Detroit Association of Negro Organizations, 12048 Grand River Ave.
Residents Veronica Armstead and Gwendolyn Jones said the resource will be helpful for residents who don’t have Wi-Fi or computers. Jones added that she is grateful to have a hub nearby.
“I’m computer savvy in some ways, but there are other things I’d like to learn and this gives me the opportunity to do that. I also want to help older people learn how to use email and how to budget.” It’s also an opportunity to learn the basics, such as how to set up a building. “There’s so much going on, and I also believe this is going to bring the younger generation and the older generation together,” Jones said.
City Council members Coleman Young II and Fred Derhal III praised Burkett and others for their efforts.
“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the people in this room, I can say that we are working toward a more just and inclusive city,” Young said. “We are closing the racial divide, we are closing the digital divide, and more importantly, we are closing the humanity divide for Detroiters…Detroiters will never lose power tomorrow again. ”
Dahal added that conversations about launching a technology hub have been going on for at least a year, and he thought about how residents who aren’t connected to the web are missing out on current events in the news and local government meetings.
“I think we often take the Internet and being connected to it for granted. I think back to the Internet back in the days of AOL and the days of dial-up. I can hear the noise,” Dahal said. “Having a technology hub in the region shows a great partnership.”
Dana Afana is a Free Press reporter at Detroit City Hall. Contact: [email protected]. Follow her: @Dana_Afana.