Of any major city in the U.S., Cleveland has the highest percentage of households without broadband internet accounts. Almost 53,000 Cleveland households—31% of the city’s total—lack broadband subscriptions of any kind at any speed, including mobile data plans [2019 U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS)].
Which is why, in 2020, more than 70 local organizations came together to launch the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition—to address the digital divide and to informally guide the use of dollars from the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund.
This effort includes the Greater Cleveland Digital Navigators, a dedicated service that directs people to resources for internet connectivity, devices, and digital skills training. The Digital Navigators can be accessed by phone at 216.307.6990 or online at www.ClevelandNavigators.org.
Brokaw launches Digital Divide awareness advertising campaign
With the help of Brokaw, an awareness advertising campaign was created to ensure the people who need these resources know they exist and how to access them. The campaign utilizes video, digital, and social media, along with offline tactics like out of home and direct mail to raise awareness in the communities impacted most.
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“The pandemic and social distancing magnified the damaging effects of the digital divide,” says Tim Brokaw, Managing Partner at Brokaw. “It’s an issue that requires immediate and coordinated community-wide intervention.”
With resources assembled, a structure in place to help, and communication assets created to raise awareness, the time is now to resolve this situation and make Cleveland a more equitable community.
Getting involved with the Digital Navigators
Please join us in bridging the digital divide. Our library of free communication resources (video, social, signage, flyers, etc.) is available upon request for use and promotion via company owned channels.
To get involved in the Greater Cleveland Digital Navigators program or to contribute to the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund, please contact Leon Wilson, Chief of Digital Innovation & Chief Information Officer at the Cleveland Foundation, via 216.861.3810.
The Greater Cleveland Digital Navigators program is being led by Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center (ASC3), CHN Housing Partners, Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, East Cleveland Public Library, and Metro West Community Development Organization, with support from the Cleveland Foundation, Cuyahoga County, Saint Luke’s Foundation, and other Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund partners. The partners welcome other individuals and organizations to join the effort.
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