Stay current on what’s happening in digital equity in Baltimore City—from programs and initiatives to events. This is the latest information from the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE), a division of the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology (BCIT).
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Digital Equity Fund
The City of Baltimore awarded a total of $990,564 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to 22 nonprofits to support their digital equity and inclusion efforts. These organizations were selected due to their creative and scalable approaches to addressing digital equity gaps impacting Baltimore City’s most vulnerable populations, such as older adults, residents living with disabilities, residents experiencing housing instability and homelessness, residents with limited English proficiency, and residents living in low-income households.
Digital Equity Framework and Strategy
BDE held a series of community conversations with small focus groups of community residents. The input received will inform the City’s Digital Equity Strategy to be released October 2023. Sixty residents participated in virtual and in-person facilitated sessions.
Older Adults - Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Racial and Ethnic Communities - Wednesday, September 6, 2023
People Experiencing Homelessness - Saturday, September 9, 2023
People Living with Disabilities - Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Service Partners - Thursday, September 14, 2023
INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Bmore Connected Campaign/Affordable Connectivity Program
The Bmore Connected campaign officially launched May 2023, to promote awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible households $30/month toward home internet service. The campaign is supported by more than 20 community partners and Baltimore City agencies. Radio spots promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program began airing September 5 on 92Q and Magic 95.9.
BDE will market the program through MTA bus and metro ads, which will begin the week of September 18. Billboards will be begin appearing throughout Baltimore City after the October 4 BOE meeting.
ACP by the Numbers in Baltimore City
Tech Hubs are coming to Baltimore City
The Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology is partnering with the Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP), Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD), and Enoch Pratt Free Library (Pratt) to create Tech Hubs in recreation centers and senior centers.
This is a multiphase project:
Phase 1: Recreation centers and senior centers outdoor Wi-Fi installations will begin October 1, 2023, and be completed by June 30, 2024. Prior to deploying outdoor Wi-Fi, BCIT hosted an end-user testing session with community leaders at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center on September 27, 2023.
RECENT EVENTS
Digital Equity Resource Fair
October 2, 2023, 4 – 7 p.m.
Enoch Pratt Free Library – Southeast Anchor Branch
Mayor Scott was joined by Jake Day, Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development to kick off Digital Inclusion Week (October 2 – 6). BCIT’s Broadband and Digital Equity Team organized the Digital Equity Resource Fair in partnership with Enoch Pratt Free Library. This was an opportunity for Baltimore City income-eligible households get equipped with the tools and resources needed to participate in a digital world. The event also featured:
FREE Chromebooks (By Appointment Only)
Baltimore City residents found out if their household is eligible to receive a free Chromebook.
Helpful Resources
Residents engaged with our community partners for information on low-cost home internet assistance, digital skills training opportunities, device repair, technical assistance, and much more.
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