Event Date: Nov 1st, 2024
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Zoom: https://kcdigitaldrive.zoom.us/j/87272862030?pwd=FKtWDSqaxIbam0FqOQftwgzDkre0JD.1
Admission: Free
The Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion (KCCDI) is an open, collaborative group of organizations who foster digital equity and access to technology for Kansas City metro communities. KCCDI meets monthly on the first Friday of every month to hear about the work of local digital inclusion practitioners, and share information about upcoming opportunities in the digital inclusion space.
STATE BROADBAND OFFICE UPDATES
The Offices of Broadband Development from the states of Kansas and Missouri will update us on the State of Missouri funding opportunities through the Digital Equity Act (DEA) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, both part of the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA).
- Missouri Office of Broadband Development—Adam Thorp, Community Development Specialist
- Kansas Office of Broadband Development—Kimberlyn Jones, Digital Opportunity Program Manager
DIGITAL PROGRAM OFFICE OF KANSAS CITY (DEPO-KC) UPDATES
Tom Esselman, Executive Director, reports on our monthly progress towards long term Digital Equity throughout the region, including a recap of the NTIA Competitive Grant, highlights of the Missouri Digital Opportunity Grant application requirements, and an array of other funding and programming updates.
CITY OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI UPDATES
Jerry Buckman, Digital Equity Manager, will share the city’s digital equity updates and future work plans.
FEATURED CONTENT
As anchor institutions, schools often serve as initial points of contact with community members struggling through challenges presented by the digital divide. We will hear from a panel of regional school system representatives about what they feel is working well for schools and digital inclusion, and what are some promising ideas for sustainable partnerships between schools and community nonprofits, in light of the new federal and state grants’ emphasis on collaborative programming.
- Edgar Palacios, Founder, Latinx Education Collaborative [Moderator]
- Julian Robinson, Executive Director of Technology, Hickman Mills School District
- Todd Theen, Director of Technology, Independence School District
- Dr. Katie Collier, Deputy Superintendent, Blue Valley Schools
NEXT MEETING
A time to celebrate this momentous year—plan to join us for our Holiday Year-End Reception, IN PERSON, Thursday, December 12 from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, at Central Library, 5th floor, Helzberg Room. 14 W 10th Street, KCMO 64105. Yummy treats and beverages will be provided for all attendees. Cheers!!
Please email lscott@kcdigitaldrive.org if you have announcements to share at an upcoming Coalition meeting.