According to census data, approximately 100,000 households lack internet access in Miami – a city on the verge of becoming a global hub for technology and innovation. In an effort to not leave underserved communities behind in the midst of a growing tech movement, a collective of community leaders launched Tech Equity Miami to close the opportunity gap.
Together, JPMorgan Chase, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Miami Foundation and aîre ventures, with support from Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, gathered at Miami Dade College’s Padrón Campus to announce $100 million in philanthropic funding to be deployed over five years with the goal of advancing equity in Miami through tech.
“We should reach out to those who haven’t had the opportunities the rest of us have had,” said JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
The funds will be used to increase internet access and digital literacy; expose K-12 students to high-quality tech learning experiences; create pathways into tech-based careers; and help small businesses benefit from the digital economy.
MDC joins the initiative as an educational partner with its groundbreaking programs aimed at bridging the opportunity divide, such as MDC Tech, the Rising Black Scholars Program, Multi-Organization Supports for Access, Inclusion and Completion (MOSAIC), Data Science 4 All and others.
The College recently announced an $800,000 investment in scholarships from Florida Power & Light for Black students to complete a bachelor’s degree in tech fields such as Information Systems Technology, Cybersecurity or Data Analytics.
“We’re in a position in our community to ensure that we invest in our human capital and provide those opportunities to our students,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega.
– JR