What is the digital divide?
A disparity between those who have access to fast, reliable internet and those who don’t.
The lack of internet access makes it difficult to do things many of us take for granted. Children struggle to complete homework and keep up at school. Adults can’t search or apply for jobs online, greatly decreasing their odds of finding employment. It denies these communities mobile banking, telehealth, food delivery and emergency services.
Who does it affect?
The digital divide affects predominantly lower-income neighborhoods, individuals and families, many of whom are Black, Indigenous and people of color.
It exists all around us, in areas where you might least expect it. Here, where we live. In nearby towns and cities across America, our neighbors are being left behind, lacking key infrastructure for internet access that can level the playing field and give them access to what the rest of us rely on every day.
The long the disparity exists, the greater the gap becomes, making it harder for individuals and communities left behind to catch up.
49%
of African Americans have high-speed internet at home1
51%
of Hispanics have high-speed internet at home1
66%
of Caucasians have high-speed internet at home1
~19 million Americans
still lack access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds2
Black workers comprise 12% of overall workers, but represent
15%
of workers with no digital skills3
Latino workers comprise 14% of overall workers, but represent
35%
of workers with no digital skills3
Black, Latino and Native American students make up 40% of the student population but they account for
54% of all disconnected students4
Our plan
As part of our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in our communities, Flagstar has pledged $1 million to the Strategic Alliance Community Development Corporation (SACDC), a nonprofit with plans to deliver fiber optic digital infrastructure to the communities who need it most.
We're supporting the SACDC in spearheading a pilot program to help close the digital divide in the city of Inkster, Michigan. We believe that streaming empowers dreaming.
With the help of many generous organizations, we plan to bridge the digital divide and make Inkster, Michigan, a connected “Smart City” in 2022 by providing high-speed broadband internet to homes and businesses.
With this initiative, Inkster’s residents will have access to greater educational and economic opportunities, including jobs, online schooling, banking and other vital services.
But more than that, the internet empowers dreaming. It gives kids and teens (and adults, too!) the chance to explore and learn. It shows them the greater world around them, the possibilities and many different paths they can take in life. And it gives them a starting point to pursue those dreams.
Milestones
Kick-Off Event
Flagstar announces $1 million commitment
Sept 2021
Breaking Ground
End of 2021
Training workforce development
End of 2021
Laying cable
Early to mid-year 2022
Completing Inkster
Mid-2023
How to get involved
Learn more, including how you can help support the Strategic Alliance Development Corporation: sacdcconnect.org
Key partners and contributors
- LightSpeed Technologies, Inc. a Nokia authorized reseller
- Chauncey Billups Foundation
- City of Inkster
- Motor City Leadership Council
- AuthorityHealth
- Vermeer Midwest
- Michigan Roundtable
- FIS Fiber Optic Solutionists
- A. Philip Randolph Institute-Detroit chapter
- Festo
- City of Highland Park, Muskegon Heights and Ypsilanti
- City of Inkster Police
1Soltan, Liz. “Digital Divide: The Technology Gap Between the Rich and Poor.” DigitalResponsibility.org. 2019. http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/digital-divide-the-technology-gap-between-rich-and-poor
2”Eighth Broadband Progress Report.” Federal Communications Commission. FCC.org. https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/eighth-broadband-progress-report
3Addison, Bishara. Workforce and the Digital Divide. TowardsEmployment.org. https://www.towardsemployment.org/digital-access/
4Tate, Emily. “The Digital Divide Has Narrowed, But 12 Million Students Are Still Disconnected.” EdSurge.com. Jan 27, 2021. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-01-27-the-digital-divide-has-narrowed-but-12-million-students-are-still-disconnected