Do you think you have affordable broadband? That may depend on where you live, how much you earn, and what you expect of your public policy. Regardless of your answer, Broadband, let alone affordable broadband, is still not available in many communities here and around the world. This issue has been called many names and covered by many sources, but finding a solution remains a challenge. 
Certainly, an issue of this magnitude requires an alliance of strong leadership from a diverse range of backgrounds to assure affordable global connectivity. The vision is clear, the purpose is admirable and the benefits are noteworthy. However, the mission is far from complete.
Fortunately, Americans have Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), a non-profit, Atlanta-based consumer advocacy organization that serves to facilitate and ensure equal access to technology for everyone, including underserved communities. As legislative and regulatory policies regarding new technologies impact our daily lives, ADE serves as a bridge to help with transparency and understanding.
Many individuals are beginning to seek a better understanding of broadband related issues. This is due in part, I believe, to recent high-profile broadband-oriented developments, such as the ARRA Broadband Stimulus, FCC’s National Broadband Plan, and plans for Smart Grid. So in response to this interest, my group and I reached out to Alliance for Digital Equality for insight and collaboration.
In the process we were notified that Mr. Julius Hollis, CEO and Chairman, of ADE would be visiting Washington D.C. on March 22, 2010. My acceptance of the assignment was multi-fold but primarily out of respect for a professional that was willing to lend a hand for others to gain opportunities for advancement. Mr. Hollis background includes an extensive career as a banker, entrepreneur and financial advisor to a diverse array of multinational clients. In addition to his leadership role with The Alliance, he also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Hollis & Company, an Atlanta-based investment-counseling firm with an affiliate office in Johannesburg, South Africa.
I met Mr. Hollis at the ADE Leadership Launch Reception scheduled at Art and Soul restaurant in Northwest Washington D.C. Initially, I challenged my colleague on the name and location, because as a native Washingtonian, I recalled a ‘Heart and Soul’ that was located in Southeast Washington. When I arrived on Capital Hill and witnessed what was clearly a five-star restaurant, I had to humbly call my colleague to apologize for challenging her. Visit http://www.artandsouldc.com/gallery.html to get a visual of the location.
Despite the five-star rating, the ambience of the restaurant was not as powerful as the audience attending the ADE reception. The entire experience was professional and stellar. From signing the guest book to tasting the broad assortment of hors d'oeuvres, someone was cordially present to assist.
As I navigated the venue and introduced myself to other participants, I could not help but notice that six consecutive individuals shared that they worked for CWA. Eventually, I had the opportunity to examine their business cards more closely. I discovered they worked for Communication Workers Association (CWA), the largest telecommunications union in the world. CWA represents over 700,000 men and women in both the private and public sectors, including over half a million workers who are building the broadband infrastructure. CWA members work in telecommunications, broadcasting, cable TV, journalism, publishing, manufacturing, airlines, customer service, government service, health care, education and other fields.
Unfortunately, I could not converse with the entire list of participants from each industry but I did get to communicate with representatives from Pfizer Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton and Brunswick Group, LLC.
Eventually the crowd was asked to listen as Mr. Hollis began to introduce some of the new ADE Leadership. A complete list can be viewed at http://www.alliancefordigitalequality.org/leadership.php
The first person to be introduced was Shirley Franklin, who was recently selected as Senior Advisor for ADE. Ms. Franklin currently holds the position of the William and Camille Cosby Professorship at Spelman College in Atlanta. She also co-chairs the Regional Commission on Homelessness, serves as Vice Chair of the Center of Civil and Human Rights, and serves on the board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
It is worth noting that Shirley Franklin is the first female mayor of Atlanta and the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major southern city. Shirley Franklin was first elected in 2002 and served two-terms as the 58th Mayor of the City of Atlanta until January 2010.
Mr. Hollis has stated, “Shirley will be a tremendous asset in ensuring that America’s communities of color are empowered on a variety of policy, economic and cultural issues during one of the most significant transformative periods in our society fueled by the Digital Revolution.”
I had the good fortune to meet Ms. Franklin later that night, and she agreed to an interview to share her insight regarding broadband access and her new assignment with ADE moving forward.
The next member of the ADE leadership team to be introduced was Manny Diaz, who was recently elected as ADE’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. During his two-term tenure, Mayor Diaz was recognized for completely transforming the City of Miami and re-engineering government from top to bottom. He is also known for many nationally recognized, innovative programs. This includes programs in the areas of urban design, sustainability and green initiatives, education, affordable housing, law enforcement, poverty and homelessness, and arts and culture. Mayor Diaz has developed a vision for Miami as an international city that embodies diversity, economic opportunity, effective customer service and a highly rated quality of life.
The final member of the ADE leadership team to be introduced was Senator Robert Ellis, a very active member of ADE’s Board of Advisors. Mr. Ellis is currently serving his sixth term in the Texas Senate, representing district thirteen in Houston. He is vice chairman and a founding shareholder of The Tagos Group, LLC, and serves as a business consultant to several Fortune 500 companies. He is also has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon as a partner at Rice Financial Products Company, a full-service municipal investment banking firm.
Mr. Ellis also kindly agreed to an interview, and I look forward to asking him about his experience serving on the National Commission of Energy Policy. This is a bipartisan group of 20 of the nation’s leading energy experts. It focuses on issues such as increasing global competition for energy resources; concerns over global climate change; and progress in new energy technologies.
Mr. Hollis turned the floor over to Larry Cohen, President of CWA. Mr. Cohen has chaired major contract negotiations in both the public and private sectors, including Verizon and AT&T, Cingular Wireless, and now AT&T Mobility. Mr. Cohen is reported to have been one of the first people to recognize changes in telecommunications through the convergence of video, voice and data technologies, and the need to unify unionized workers in these sectors. His leadership contributed to the expansion of CWA. The union now represents workers in information technology and communications; print and broadcast media and publishing; health care, education and public workers; manufacturing, and the airline industry.
Mr. Cohen lauded the strong partnership between ADE and CWA moving forward, and the audience including myself, applauded and shared our support during small group dialogs. The common message I heard before I departed evolved around how to work together to create affordable broadband access for all Americans.
Please share your comments or send your questions and suggestions to patrick@metamorfs.com to receive notice of future articles relating to the Alliance for Digital Equality, key personalities, and innovative programs.
Comments
This writer has found the broadband connectivity in zip code 20607, in need of connectivity, which s probably the result from a divided among providers. The reason I make this statement is that, one can recieve a signal from a particuliar network service provider, and in the same location become disconnected, and unable to receive a signal from another network service provider. Therefore it is the opinion of this writer, that the digital divide is not only among the consumer, lack of knowledge, but the providers territory divide as well.
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