Last week, the Alliance for Digital Equality's (ADE) leadership met with U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Congressmen John Conyers, Kendrick Meek, John Lewis, and David Scott on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to advocate for increased minority access to broadband technology.  Their trip follows the recent release of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan, and served as an opportunity for the ADE leadership team, Chairman Julius H. Hollis, Vice Chairman Manuel (Manny) A. Diaz, Board Member Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis and Senior Advisor Shirley Franklin to begin dialogue with key policymakers, thought leaders and the media regarding the plan’s implementation.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) hosted a reception in ADE’s honor that evening, at Art & Soul Restaurant in downtown, Washington, D.C. that drew a prominent mix of thought leaders and the media, including members of the Hispanic Institute, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, the National Puerto Rican Coalition and the National Urban League.  Larry Cohen, president of CWA delivered opening remarks along with Julius H. Hollis, Mayor Diaz and Mayor Franklin.

We made contact with members of Congress including U. S. House of Representatives Xavier Becerra, Charlie Gonzalez, Sheila Jackson Lee, John Lewis, Kendrick Meek and Linda Sanchez and their staff.

During meetings with policymakers, ADE highlighted the critical need to stimulate private investment in order to fund the build out necessary to offer broadband to all.  The group also focused on the need to ensure that broadband access remains affordable, in light of the $350 billion needed for this build out, as estimated by the FCC, and the importance of digital literacy programs to improve broadband adoption.

ADE will build on the momentum from these efforts in Washington, D.C as we advocate for affordable, accessible, and universal broadband over the coming months.

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