The Digital Equity Leadership Lab (DELL)
The Digital Equity Leadership Lab (DELL) is a program for city residents who want to increase their understanding of the internet and strengthen their ability to advocate for fast, affordable and reliable broadband for all of Baltimore’s neighborhoods.
Despite the fact that the internet is the most powerful technology of our lifetime, we have been taught very little about how the internet, and its related technologies, work. As advocates working to close the Digital Divide in Baltimore, it's critical that we understand how the internet and internet regulation work so that we can imagine and build new solutions for our communities.
The Digital Equity Leadership Lab was established in 2021. The DELL is rooted in the practice of learning forward, the belief that we can increase our effectiveness and results when we are part of a learning community committed to alignment, shared responsibility and continuous improvement. It is also aligned with Robert W. Deutsch Foundation’s belief that internet access is a prerequisite for social and economic inclusion.
DELL Focus:
The Digital Equity Leadership Lab operates as an independent social justice project—free from the influence of big business, government or political parties. Participation is limited to community and local non profit leaders; local small business leaders; grassroots advocates; and/or public interest allies.
DELL Goals:
To convene advocates from across sectors, zip codes, disciplines, and backgrounds to share and learn together;
To strengthen the relationships between internet advocates through meaningful interaction;
To introduce new concepts and information that will help to advance shared goals;
To support a culture of collaboration and encourage participants to work together to analyze and refine current solutions to digital equity challenges in their organization, and in the field;
To encourage reflection, adaptation and innovation by learning from each other’s successes and failures.
Topics Covered:
The power of the telecom industry
How the internet works
Community broadband networks
The FCC and Federal Advocacy
Racial justice & the internet
Leaders from across the country join each DELL session, to share their expertise as guest presenters. Learning takes place during online workshops, and also throughout the week in a virtual community platform.
DELL Methodology:
Questions:
Please contact: dell@rwdfoundation.org.
Contact List:
Add your name to our contact list for future offerings. You can also fill out our DELL 2023 Interest Form.