Tech leaders making headway on Baltimore’s digital inclusion strategy 

By Megan SaylesAFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.comThe term “digital divide” rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools, businesses and workplaces went virtual, a spotlight was shone on the bleak reality of disparities in internet and technology access for underserved communities. Cody Dorsey is the executive director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition. Founded in 2020, the organization drives advocacy around the closing of the digital divide and expansion of digital equity. Kenya Asli is the director of Baltimore’s Office of Broadband Digital Equity. The office is charged with leading the city’s five-year digital inclusion plan. Courtesy photoIn Baltimore, the Abell Foundation discovered that 73.3 percent of White households had access to wired internet connection compared to 50.2 Black households respectively. Gaps were also uncovered in device access, as 60 percent of Black families had one laptop or desktop computer compared to 80.7 percent of White families.& “The digital divide is evidenced by the very high number of low-income communities who do not have wireline, in-home internet service,” said Kenya Asli, director for the Office of Broadband Digital Equity (BDE) for the city of Baltimore. “Wireless is great, 5G is good, but wireline is a reliable, consistent connection.”& “Even if...