A new program presented by Digital Charlotte helps Mecklenburg County residents find and connect with available digital inclusion resources
Digital Charlotte announced today the launch of its Digital Navigator program which will give residents living in Mecklenburg County a central location to sign up for affordable home broadband internet service, purchase affordable technology, get help with basic device and connectivity issues, and learn new digital skills.
Charlotte residents all over Mecklenburg County can call 311 to access the free digital navigator hotline where they will be paired with a digital navigator who will connect the caller with available digital inclusion resources.
“This program was created to ensure that everyone in Mecklenburg County has the ability to thrive in a modern society, economy, and democracy driven by access and adoption of technology,” explains Bruce Clark, Executive Director at Digital Charlotte. “While there are a number of great resources available to help community members, there is no centralized place to help them navigate to and through the process of benefiting from these services. This program intends to fill that void.”
This is an effort by Digital Charlotte, The City of Charlotte, and other community partners to bridge Charlotte’s growing digital divide by promoting digital equity with a particular emphasis on some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. The program’s simple mission is to connect communities in Charlotte in a way that is equitable and inclusive. Often, in areas where broadband deserts exist, there is a lack of access to technology, which can also be indicative of widespread economic and educational disparities.
“Our community must continue to prioritize digital inclusion for all its residents,” says Braxton Winston, Charlotte City Councilman At-Large. “Equitable connectivity is essential for all of our communities to thrive through this pandemic and beyond. Partnerships like the Digital Navigator program are essential to ensuring a more equitable Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.”
The Digital Navigator program is currently supported by a variety of community partners including the City of Charlotte, 311, E2D, Goodwill Industries, City Startup Labs, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, and Queens University of Charlotte’s Knight School of Communication.
For additional information about the Digital Navigator program, visit digitalcharlotte.org. For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Bruce Clark, please contact Jameka Whitten at 704.965.3297 or jameka@jswmediagroup.com. A full media kit is available upon request.
About Digital Charlotte
Digital Charlotte is an initiative of the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte. It recognizes that digital equity is necessary to a thriving society, democracy, and economy. Through awareness, partnerships, and action it aims to empower organizations to deliver digital inclusion resources to the communities they serve.
