Connect 313

Connect 313 is pleased to announce it has relaunched and funded eight tech hubs as Neighborhood Technology and Resource Hubs across Detroit’s seven districts, adding a robust digital skills curriculum.

The Accenture Learning Exchange Portal, a professional development skills training platform, will be offered at each of the Neighborhood Technology and Resource Hubs. The hubs are located within established community organizations. Click the article below for a full list. Michigan Chronicle Brilliant Detroit Live6 Alliance Osborn Neighborhood Alliance Matrix Human Services The Eastside Community Network MACC Development Bailey Park Neighborhood Bridging Communities Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance Rocket Community Fund United Way for Southeastern Michigan City of Detroit Government Accenture

Detroit Expands Digital Access: Connect 313 Unveils Eight New Tech Hubs with Skills Training | The Michigan Chronicle Detroit’s digital divide is narrowing, thanks to the relaunch of eight Neighborhood Technology and Resource Hubs by Connect 313. These hubs, spread across the city’s seven districts, provide much more than just internet access. They now offer a comprehensive digital skills curriculum developed i...

Don't miss this inspiring community event with Connect 313 partner Destined For Greatness Mentoring Int.

WHAT: 14th Annual Founder’s Fair & Giveaway
WHEN: Sunday, August 25, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: 5555 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213

Detroit Style Menu, Live Music & Raffles, Men's & Women's Hygiene Kits, Bounce Houses/ Waterslide, Baby Items For Pregnant Moms, Free Household Items, School Supplies, Book bags, Clothing Closet For All, Games, Trucks, and Free Haircuts

An AMAZING opportunity to get much-needed laptops FREE OF CHARGE. Our partners AT&T, Human-I-T and Black Tech Saturdays are providing 500 free laptops to Detroit students and families who have a technology need.

These laptops are intended to support those who lack access to essential digital tools at home, ensuring that students and families can engage in online learning, access educational resources, and connect with vital community services.

RSVP here by August 30: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeu9W-nyn3JctOaYFXsKDCUz__4fqS86jV-E9---VmFCi-CMA/viewform

Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tech-saturdays-tickets-924243616537

Black Tech Saturdays Join us for Black Tech Saturdays in Detroit - promoting diversity, innovation, and community wealth to support Black tech.

One more reason to visit Detroit's beautiful parks! Free, public Wi-Fi is now up and running at five more Detroit parks to boost internet access for those who may not have it.

Free Wi-Fi is *LIVE* at Bradby, Chandler, Clark, McDuffy and Palmer Parks — thanks to our partnership with the City of Detroit Government and The Detroit Parks Coalition. Thank you to Rocket Community Fund Detroit Pistons Knight Foundation for supporting this effort.

This is one more step forward in our ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in our city. Click to read more below from the Detroit News.

Five new Detroit Parks brought online in pilot project Free public Wi-Fi networks are now up and running at Bradby, Chandler, Clark, McDuffy and Palmer parks in Detroit.

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is hosting a webinar next Thursday to discuss “MITTEN” grant dollars they’ll be awarding to help digital navigation and tech hubs in Michigan. The MITTEN grant aims to improve digital adoption and skills in underserved communities across our state.

Join the online session next Thursday, July 18, from 10-11 a.m. by clicking this link below: https://tinyurl.com/y225ttj7

What a fabulous day at the Rocket Mortgage Classic! Incredible weather, great golf, a diverse crowd and the chance to share information and our impact in helping to bridge the digital divide.

This event is where it all started and we are grateful for the funding and support. Come see Connect 313, our partners Human-I-T, Black Tech Saturdays and other amazing community groups. We’re over by the 14th hole. ⛳️ Rocket Mortgage Classic Rocket Community Fund

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will officially end on June 1, the White House announced Friday, leaving nearly a million people in Michigan without access to affordable internet.

“We were very proud with Connect 313 and all of our partners to have been able to support over 150,000 Detroit families to connect to the Affordable Connectivity Program,” Laura Grannemann, Connect 313 board president told Crain’s. “Obviously, there is going to be a transition to support those families in making sure that they can continue to get affordable connectivity going forward. We always knew that this was going to be a temporary program, but now there’s the hard work of staying connected to those 150,000 families and making sure that we get them to a good next option.”

Click below for the full story from Crain's. Rocket Community Fund

Nearly 1M in Michigan will lose affordable internet as federal program ends The Federal Communications Commission is ending the Affordable Connectivity Program on June 1, leaving thousands of people in Michigan without access to affordable internet.

Meet Dr. Paula Whittaker Watkins, 2024 chair of Connect 313's special projects and shared resources committee. Dr. Watkins is the cofounder and CEO of the American International Cyber Institute and understands the role community plays in building word-of-mouth credibility for an organization.

With that in mind, she’ll work to enhance Connect 313’s visibility among local community centers, neighborhood and faith-based organizations, and other key places people congregate. Click below to read more.

Expert Educator Brings Leadership Experience to Special Projects, Shared Resources Committee - Connect 313 Educator brings leadership experience to special projects committee In 2020, the National Organization of Black County Officials asked Dr. Paula Whittaker Watkins to speak at a conference. There, the seasoned leader and education expert met Connect 313 Founder Joshua Edmonds and immediately got on b...

Connect 313 exists to ensure all Detroit residents have access to the skills, devices, and connectivity they need to engage with the digital world and the opportunity it brings. Nearly 1 million Michigan residents are at risk of losing access to affordable high-speed internet at the end of April when the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is set to end. That means we have much more work ahead.

Connect 313 director Vittoria Katanski spoke to Crains Detroit Business. Click below to read more.

“I think that the push Detroit has made [to sign residents up for the ACP shows] how important this is and how many of our citizens are eligible for the programming definitely indicates a need,” Katanski said. “Ideally this will be at the forefront of anybody's campaign because it's really not a political issue. It's reality. People need to have access to the internet in order to conduct business on a daily basis.”

Learn more about our ongoing efforts and get connected: connect313.org.

With 1M Michiganders set to lose affordable internet access, service providers urge action The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program will cause nearly 1M Michiganders to lose affordable internet access.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down. Here's what you need to know.

In 2021, Congress established the and provided the program with $14.2 billion in funding. The Federal Communications Commission created and carried out the ACP and at least 150,000 Detroit households have received $30/month off their internet bill and a one-time $100 credit for a device. Without additional funding from Congress, the ACP will come to an end in May 2024. What's next? Read more below.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Rocket Community Fund City of Detroit Government