Recognizing that a tech gap exists in Detroit’s talent pool, a panel of experts got to work October 2 at Wayne State University exploring how to advance digital literacy across the city to promote workforce development. Their conversation was part of a series of informative and interactive panel discussions marking the start of this year’s Detroit Digital Inclusion Week powered by Connect 313.  

“We are building pathways to accessibility for digital tools and technology so everyone can become digitally literate,” said Myka Burley, associate director of skills at Michigan Central and panel moderator. “When we take those tools and employ them in ways that empower people economically, we get into real workforce development initiatives.” 

Burley was joined by Christine Burkette, director of Digital Equity & Inclusion, the City of Detroit, Department of Innovation and Technology; Jai Oberoi, senior VP of data intelligence for Rocket Mortgage; Germaine Reece, business diversity manager at Central CDW; and Jose Reyes, executive director for NPower.  

Their conversation was wide ranging and punctuated by personal anecdotes and insights from careers dedicated to technology and to advancing opportunities for populations often underserved or left behind. Jose Reyes recalled being in the computer lab at the University of Michigan decades ago and losing a paper because he didn’t know how to properly operate the Apple computer he was working on.  

“Many families experience that lack of tech literacy every day because connectivity and technology are not in their reach. Ours was one of them,” Reyes shared. “We have to be passionate about this effort and see this issue as generational because if the parents don’t have digital equity, then their kids won’t either.” 

Panelists agreed and said that every opportunity must be leveraged to meet people where they are … a notion often cited throughout the day’s four panel discussions. 

“We can’t assume people know,” Burkette said. “So, when you’re distributing devices start literacy then and put information where they’re at, not necessarily on paper, and make it multilingual.” 

Each panelist noted the critical role of bringing together employers and community organizations to increase digital literacy, mitigate the tech gap and help potential employees overcome what many see as systemic barriers. 

“Sometimes life happens and impacts a person no matter how accountable she or he is,” Dr. Sledge explained. “At Per Scholas, we’re not just looking for the brightest and the best because when I can take somebody who was hesitant about IT and had life issues, and I can support them and facilitate their growth and certification … I’ve done my job.” 

Finally, Burley asked the panelist what they hoped the tech employment landscape in Detroit would be in five years, and to consider the impact of AI and the rapid pace of tech advancement.  

Burkette called out a variety of demographic groups – veterans, returning citizens, non-English speaking residents – with differing needs and forming teams to address those needs, while Jai Oberoi mentioned the concept of “leap frogging.” 

“With the acceleration of technology and AI, employment must leapfrog,” Oberoi shared. “The concept of starting with an entry level job gets replaced with talent hopping four or five levels in one move because the technology is already in their hands and what workers thought was out of reach is now actually within their grasp.” 

Lastly, and for a second time that October day, the idea surfaced that Detroit could again serve as a global hub for technology and advancement bolstered by a talented workforce hungry for opportunity and uniquely equipped to move with the speed of innovation. 

Special Thanks to DDIW Sponsors and Partners 

Detroit Digital Inclusion Week was generously sponsored by DELL, Comcast, Verizon and Wayne State University, and supported by Connect 313 partners the City of Detroit, Rocket Community Fund and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. 

Boost your digital literacy by taking advantage of Connect 313’s network of 22 Neighborhood Tech Hubs, meeting with a Community Ambassador to learn more about available resources, submitting a suggestion for a community initiative, signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program by calling 313-241-7618, receiving free digital skills training and tech support and more, and becoming a member at connect313.org. 

A series of informative and interactive panel discussions at Wayne State University on October 2 marked the start of this year’s Detroit Digital Inclusion Week powered by Connect 313. The day’s first panel of local experts, assembled to discuss digital equity policy and research, grew animated as they described what a digitally included Detroit might look like.

“Closing the digital divide in Michigan appears different depending on where you are in the state,” said Allie Herkenroder, Michigan’s digital equity director. “We can’t just put a one-size-fits-all solution everywhere and have it work.”

Herkenroder was joined by City of Detroit CIO Art Thompson, Johnnie Turnage, CEO of Even Score and Black Tech Saturdays, Dr. Pierrette Dagg with Merit Network, and Stephanie Vaughn, lead innovation educator with The Hidden Genius Project. The conversation was moderated by Scott D. Woods, president of the public-private partnership Ready.net.

“We need to be thinking about the systemic issues that caused this to begin with,” added Dagg. “Digital equity is not a problem of devices and it’s not a problem of infrastructure, it’s a social issue.”

While each panelist illuminated the complexities of achievingcomprehensive digital inclusion, they all agreed on a few key points to effectively light the way forward.

First, the panelists agreed that broadband access is a needed utility, rather than a luxury, in today’s digitally integrated world. Participants cited the pandemic as bringing this fact into sharp focus, leaving those on the wrong side of the digital divide without access to online healthcare, education, or employment. At the time, anyone without a broadband connection, an appropriate device, and the skills to use it was left behind.

They also agreed on the importance of “meeting people where they are.”

Herkenroder discussed findings from a recently completed statewide listening tour, which started and ended in Detroit, to hear directly from citizens about their digital access priorities.  

“We heard … ideas, questions, and concerns at every single one of our 43 stops throughout Michigan with the number-one identified broadband barrier for Michiganders being availabilityand number two: affordability,” Herkenroder recalled. (Region 10 community participants, in which Detroit is located, placed affordability as the top barrier rather than access, which was listed as second.)

Dr. Dagg reinforced the importance of local voices when she talked about the need for champions of digital inclusion such assupportive local governments and a varied, already existinglandscape of federal funding that communities can leverage.

“For me, digital equity looks like how we get people to a certain level of confidence and competence to even talk about it,” added Turnage. His initiative, Black Tech Saturdays, draws hundreds of people each week to network, share ideas and solve problems at Newlab, near the reinvigorated Michigan Central Station in Detroit.

Finally, the five panelists agreed that as with any complex issuethe best place to find a solution starts by establishing common ground.

“If you look at the internet, it is a utility, it is something we need for everyday life,” Thompson said. “We need to do something that’s going to leave an everlasting effect and drive up adoption of resources. It has to be transformative.”

Special Thanks to DDIW 2023 Sponsors and Partners

Detroit Digital Inclusion Week was generously sponsored by DELL, Comcast, Verizon, and Wayne State University, and supported by Connect 313 partners the City of Detroit, Rocket Community Fund and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Boost your digital literacy by taking advantage of Connect 313’s network of 22 Neighborhood Tech Hubs, meeting with a Community Ambassador to learn more about available resources, submitting a suggestion for a community initiative, signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program by calling 313-241-7618, receiving free digital skills training and tech support and more, and becoming a member at connect313.org.