Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination Listening Session, New York
On September 29, 2023, the FCC's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination hosted the latest in a series of listening sessions that have been held to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session was to continue the Commission's outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone and to create a framework for addressing digital discrimination.
The listening session was held from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT, at the Medgar Evers College, Academic Complex Building AB1, Edison O. Jackson Auditorium, 1638 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225. The program agenda included presentations from the Task force, local leaders, and stakeholders, along with an opportunity for members of the public to share their broadband access experiences. The event was recorded and will be archived on the FCC's website and on this web page.
AGENDA
1:00 PM Welcome
Remarks
- Representative Yvette Clarke
- New York State Senator Kevin Parker
- Narda Jones, Chief of Staff, Federal Communications Commission
- Joshua Breitbart, Senior Vice President, NY ConnetALL (State Broadband Office)
- District 13 Council Member Marjorie Velasquez
Task Force Presentations
- D'wana Terry, Special Advisor to Chairwoman Rosenworcel, and Director of the FCC's Office of Workplace Diversity.
- Alejandro Roark, Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Presentations
- Alan Smith, Consumer Reports
- Adrienne Whaley and Jacob Schwartz, The Fortune Society
- Colin Rhinesmith, Digital Equity Research Center
- Brett Sikoff, NYC Office of Technology and Innovation
- Yesenia Sanchez, Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program
- Larissa Larrier, Brooklyn Public Library
- Margaret Kaufer, The STEM Alliance
- Brent Wilkes, Hispanic Federation
- Sarah Batchu, Fifth Avenue Committee
- Crystal Teng, Asian Community Care
- Michael Collins, National Urban League
- Jodia Vanel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Closing Remarks by the FCC's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination
On December 21, 2022, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking to implement provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act pertaining to the prevention and elimination of digital discrimination. The Act establishes various requirements for the prevention and elimination of digital discrimination and tasks the FCC to adopt rules to facilitate equal access to broadband internet access service. This series of listening sessions will help to inform the FCC as it develops these new rules.
Additional information about the listening sessions and the Task Force's work can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/task-force-prevent-digital-discrimination. To contact or request a meeting with the Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination, email PreventDigitalDiscrimination@fcc.gov.