The Michelson 20MM Foundation is proud to award Michelson Spark Grants to three organizations whose projects promise to impact digital equity at scale through locally owned solutions. These community broadband projects are part of the larger movement to leverage public-private partnerships to make affordable, municipally-owned networks a reality for Californians. As more households in California are able to access the internet, it is essential to ensure that all Californians benefit from that progress. In the last five years, the Public Policy Institute of California found that “rural households and households not headed by a bachelor’s degree holder have made no gains in broadband access,” indicating a need to address this issue.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that access to the internet equates to access to information necessary to survive and thrive, and connect people to employment and educational opportunities. Investing in scalable projects that promote digital equity can address these social inequities and ensure all Californians have the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Please join us in welcoming the 2024 Digital Equity Michelson Spark Grantees!
City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) is leading a multifaceted initiative to promote digital equity in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood. By integrating education, outreach, and data collection, they will address the diverse digital needs of their community. Through multilingual workshops, partnerships with grassroots organizations, and advanced broadband speed testing, the CDC will empower residents, business owners, and immigrants with digital resources. This scalable model enhances immediate internet access and fosters long-term digital literacy and advocacy skills, serving as a blueprint for equitable broadband initiatives nationwide.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is pioneering the Internet Service Project (ISP) to bridge digital divides in Los Angeles’ Pico-Union neighborhood. This innovative project will establish a community-based internet service through CHIRLA’s Immigrant Welcome and Empowerment Center, using a data center to provide reliable broadband to underserved households. By leveraging California’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative and partnerships with local governments, CHIRLA will deliver high-speed internet access where commercial providers have not. Beyond connectivity, the ISP will empower immigrants and low-income families with digital literacy training and workforce development opportunities.
Destination Crenshaw is revolutionizing access to technology in a South Los Angeles neighborhood. This community-driven effort is not just about providing free public Wi-Fi and high-speed connectivity to local businesses in Crenshaw; it’s about empowering residents who have long been marginalized by digital disparities by building a best-in-class, fiber-to-the-home network. Understanding the unique needs and strengths of the community, Destination Crenshaw will bridge the digital divide and foster a model of sustainable, community-led development. Through partnerships and grassroots advocacy, they are paving the way for a more equitable future where every resident can thrive in the digital age.
These projects exemplify how strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and community engagement can effectively advance digital equity, ensuring that all individuals have access to the internet’s transformative power. By bridging digital divides and empowering underserved communities, City Heights CDC, CHIRLA, and Destination Crenshaw are charting a more inclusive digital future.
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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