Discover Your Community’s Path to Overcoming the Digital Divide

The demand for reliable access to digital tools has grown rapidly. Thankfully, agencies across the country have at their disposal new resources, funding and advancements to help their communities combat disparities in access to the internet and the technologies it enables.

Fully overcoming this digital divide requires efficiently matching needs with available (but limited) resources. However, agencies must first determine where demand for digital access exists, and compiling that information can be a time-consuming and complex task.

When armed with the correct data, local governments can better understand the people they serve and what matters most to them. From there, agencies can identify the biggest needs, and direct resources to those priority areas. Experts will discuss the critical importance of connected communities and how agencies can deliver more opportunities to their constituents.

• Strategies for overcoming the digital divide
• How data can help agencies make critical decisions about planning for the future and delegating resources to serve their communities
• How to utilize the latest insights on the digital divide, including information collected from national surveys
• What the experts have learned about connecting communities

Speakers

Joshua Williams

Executive Fellow/Digital Inclusion Manager, FUSE Corps/City of Houston, Office of Innovation

Joshua Williams is a former finance professional and education leader dedicated to creating meaningful change in underserved communities. Joshua is currently an Executive Fellow with FUSE Corps, which is a national nonprofit that partners with local governments and communities to lead strategic projects designed to accelerate, progress, and advance racial equity. Joshua joined the City of Houston's Office of Innovation in 2021 to spearhead digital inclusion initiatives. Prior to leading digital inclusion efforts for the City of Houston, Joshua served as Director of Operations and Finance with a charter school system, where he led efforts to provide internet and technology for students and their families during the height of the pandemic.

Crystal Son

Managing Director, Civis Analytics

As Managing Director at Civis Analytics, Crystal focuses on ensuring successful delivery as well as formulating new data science products for our clients in the public sector. Recently, she served as primary lead on Civis’ work with the State of IL, helping support the state’s response to COVID-19. Simultaneously, she led the development and launch of several Civis products tailored to help maximize the reach and efficiency of government programs. Crystal began her career as an epidemiologist, first at the NYC Department of Public Health & Mental Hygiene and then as a hospital Infection Prevention epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Before coming to Civis, she served as an analytics consultant at Deloitte & Touche and Slalom Consulting. She graduated from Williams College with a B.A. and Columbia University with a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology.

Hamza Jaleel

Senior Research Manager, Civis Analytics

Hamza Jaleel is a Senior Research Manager at Civis Analytics. He manages a number of survey research projects across the political, advocacy, nonprofit and commercial sectors. Hamza previously studied public opinion at the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project and is a graduate of The University of Chicago.

Bob Bennett — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Bob Bennett is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Digital Government and the founder of B2 Civic Solutions, an international smart cities consultancy firm based in Parkville, Mo. From 2016 to 2019 he served in Mayor Sly James’ administration as the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Kansas City, Mo. During his tenure, he oversaw the city’s smart city initiatives including a 54-block total digitalization pilot, strategy development for the city and P3-based expansion plans.