CHARLOTTE, NC (September 3, 2021)- Digital Charlotte’s Digital Navigator program launched in January 2021 and has successfully helped residents living in Mecklenburg County sign up for affordable home broadband internet service, purchase affordable technology, and get help with basic device and connectivity issues. So far, the free program has received more than 350 calls from residents; Digital Navigators have done everything from assisting people with signing up for the emergency broadband benefit to signing up for digital literacy workshops.
With students back in school and the uncertainty of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, the Digital Navigator program is greatly needed to keep people connected to necessary digital inclusion resources that benefit their daily lives. In addition, the program ensures a central location for all of the resources that are already in place to help community members, especially those who live in broadband deserts and other underserved areas in Mecklenburg County with a lack of access to technology.
“This program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from the City of Charlotte, City StartupLabs, AT&T, The Knight Foundation, Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, and countless others,” says Bruce Clark, Executive Director at Digital Charlotte. “Their commitment has helped us ensure that every single resident in Mecklenburg county can receive support to thrive in our modern society and democracy. But, this is just the beginning, more residents need support, and there are more opportunities for the public and private sectors to support on-demand community-wide digital navigator support.”
Digital Charlotte and its partners have worked hard to spread the word about the Digital Navigator program by placing two thousand door hangers, mailing out ten thousand postcards, and running radio ads around the city. Additionally, Digital Charlotte partnered with artist Josh Henderson and The Savage Way for the Clean Graffiti campaign to provide awareness of the Digital Navigator program via street art in high foot traffic areas off Freedom Drive in West Charlotte. The Digital Navigator program continued to use art to spread awareness by partnering with The Block to commission several artists of color, including Leon S. Parker and Ricky Singh to create murals in key locations on Beatties Ford Road, the intersection of West Blvd and Remount Road, and in the North End. These pieces of art not only beautify these targeted areas but also promote the Digital Navigator program in a creative and innovative way.
“We are not just helping people navigate to digital resources, we are helping people navigate to the next opportunity they’re trying to create in their life,” explains Clark.
For additional information about the Digital Navigator program, visit digitalcharlotte.org. For media inquiries or interview requests, contact Jameka Whitten at 704.965.3297 or jameka@jswmediagroup.com. A complete 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.
