In our interconnected world, digital participation is essential for quality of life and well-being. But the digital divide—the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not—threatens to leave some individuals and communities out.

Join the Urban Institute as we highlight solutions to narrow the digital divide in this time of historic digital investments. The event will launch Urban’s new evidence-based Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion, which identifies the pillars of digital inclusion and highlights the positive outcomes for individuals and families, communities, and society. Researchers, advocates, practitioners, industry leaders, and officials working to expand digital opportunity and inclusion will discuss established and emerging lessons and practices for what digital opportunity looks like in the economic and workforce sectors, the health care sector, and in rural and tribal communities. 

11:00 a.m. | Opening

• Sarah Rosen Wartell, President, Urban Institute
• Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Comcast

11:25 a.m. | A Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion

• Corianne Payton Scally, Principal Associate and Equitable Community Development Practice Area Lead, Community Science

11:40 a.m. | Increasing Economic Mobility by Expanding Digital Opportunity

• Molly Dillon, Director of Policy Advocacy, America Achieves
• April Feng, CEO, Ameelio
• Cristal Mojica, Senior Program Manager, Digital Equity Initiative, Michelson 20MM Foundation
• Hayling Price, Visiting Fellow, Research to Action Lab and Executive Director, Mobility Alliance Incubation Hub, Urban Institute (moderator)

12:35 p.m. | Networking lunch

1:30 p.m. | Improving Health Outcomes by Strengthening Digital Inclusion

• Amy Hinojosa, President and CEO, MANA
• Sarah Swank, General Counsel, On Belay Health Solutions
• Karen Tamley, President and CEO, Access Living
• Fredric Blavin, Senior Fellow, Health Policy Division, Urban Institute (moderator)

2:25 p.m. | Break

2:40 p.m. | Expanding Digital Opportunity in Rural and Tribal Communities

• Alexis Guild, Vice President of Strategy and Programs, Farmworker Justice
• Christopher Key, Cofounder and Board Member, Hesperus
• Joshua Williams, Assistant Program Officer, Digital Equity, Rural LISC
• Lyndsay Moyer, Vice President, State Government Affairs, Comcast (moderator)

3:35 p.m. | Closing remarks

• Celina Barrios-Millner, Co-Vice President, Race and Equity Division, Urban Institute

3:45 p.m. | Event concludes
 

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event. 

Support for this event is provided by Comcast. For more on Urban’s funding policies, go to https://urban.org/about/organizational-principles.