National Digital Inclusion Alliance Names The City Of Seattle’s David Keyes The Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has named David Keyes, the Digital Equity Manager for the City of Seattle (WA), as the first recipient of the Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award. Named for Charles Benton, the founder of the Benton Foundation, the award was created by NDIA to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital inclusion: from promoting the ideal of accessible and affordable communications technology for all Americans, to crafting programs and policies that make it a reality. The award will be presented on May 18, 2016 at Net Inclusion: The National Digital Inclusion Summit, by Adrianne B. Furniss, Executive Director of the Benton Foundation.

In nearly 20 years of public service in Seattle, David Keyes has used data to document community needs and direct programs, been committed to racial and social justice, and built a movement over time by engaging local elected officials, businesses, education partners, and community organizations in solutions. Seattle recently unveiled a new Digital Equity Action Plan. NDIA’s Director, Angela Siefer states, “In 1997 David was appointed Seattle’s Community Technology planner and within a couple of years he was a leading figure nationally in the movement we then called 'community technology'. Despite being busy leading the City of Seattle’s model digital equity programs, David continually lends his leadership skills and thoughtful guidance to state and national efforts. NDIA is proud to award David the first Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award.” “Charles Benton dedicated his life to ensuring everyone, especially the most vulnerable, have affordable access to the communications tools and the skills required to fully participate in our society,” said Benton’s Furniss. “David Keyes embodies that dedication."