Gearing Up for Digital Inclusion Week with Nina Yu

Nina Yu knew she needed to be involved with Connect 313 after taking part in the inaugural Digital Inclusion Week last fall and seeing the direct impact it had on Detroiters.

 

“One of the reasons I love working with Connect 313 is because we’re working directly with the community,” Nina said. “I want people to know that we greatly value their opinions and suggestions and to be active with us in terms of submitting feedback.”

Nina serves as Connect 313’s vice chair for the Special Projects and Shared Resources Committee. She and her fellow committee members bring stakeholders together and create and coordinate crucial community resources to help bridge the digital divide.

“I’m most excited about the work we’re doing with neighborhood technology hubs,” she said. “Our committee is responsible for reviewing community tech hub applications. These spaces have a profound impact on the accessibility of technology for our community as well as the digital literacy of the residents.”

Seventeen new neighborhood technology hubs were recently announced – including one in each of Detroit’s seven council districts. That brings the total number to 22. The following organizations, and their locations, were selected. They are expected to open by the end of the year.

  • Holy Temple of the Living God in Jesus – 8590 Esper St., Detroit, MI, 48204
  • Green Door Initiative – 7650 Second Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
  • MACC Development – 7900 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48214
  • Franklin Wright Settlements – 7375 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
  • Detroit Association of Black Organizations – 12048 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48204
  • Matrix Human Services – 1400 Woodbridge, Detroit, MI 48207
  • Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance – 19321 W. Chicago, Detroit, MI 48228
  • Friends of Parkside – 5000 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213
  • Destined for Greatness Community Resource Center – 5555 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213
  • Replay Cafe Detroit – 6545 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48202
  • CODE313 – 1420 Washington Blvd., 5th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
  • Joseph Walker-Williams Community Center – 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit, MI
  • The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit – 111 E. Kirby St., Detroit, MI 48202
  • Journi House of Tech – 8425 W McNichols Rd. Detroit, MI 48221
  • Osborn Neighborhood Alliance – 13560 E. McNichols St., Detroit, MI 48205
  • Eastside Community Network – 4401 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48215
  • Bridging Communities – 6900 McGraw St., Detroit, MI 48210

Each tech hubs will receive grant support ensuring they are furnished with access to computers, high speed internet, digital literacy programming capabilities and other essential technology tools. They will also provide critical in-person technology support and guidance.

In addition to her work with Connect 313, Nina serves as the Placement Director at NPower Michigan, a workforce development solution for companies seeking IT talent. The organization offers a free 16-week intensive technical training program for young adults from underrepresented communities as well as military veterans and their spouses. 

“In my role, I work directly with our trainees in their career readiness and development as well as with our partner companies that are looking to hire our NPower talent,” Nina said.

This year, Nina’s connection with Connect 313 is coming full circle as she helps to plan Detroit’s Digital Inclusion Week, which will take place the first full week of October.

“I’m extremely excited about this year’s Digital Inclusion Week,” Nina said. “The event will consist of free digital empowerment activities for Detroit residents and business owners…you will definitely want to be a part of it! Involving all committees in this effort will help bring a variety of perspectives and resources.”

You can connect with Nina by emailing nina.yu@npower.org.