WE CAN'T WAIT: TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
April 28, 2022

Sponsored in part by: 

A Community Discussion of the Racial Impact of the Technology Gap

Featuring 

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Stephanie Burnett

Move to Work and Community Outreach Manager, HACC

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Sam Hall III

Program Director, D.R.E.A.A.M 

Sam currently serves as the Program Director for the Rantoul division of DREAAM Opportunity Center where he develops and implements academic, wellness, gun violence and employment programming for youth boys and men ages 5 to 24. Before this role, Sam was the District Manager for AT&T where he managed 12 stores. Sam earned a bachelor’s of science degree in physics from Illinois Wesleyan University.

A 23-year resident and active Champaign County community member, Sam currently serves on the Regional Planning Commission Community Action Board, President of Fellowship of the Way, and was recently elected to a second term as a Village of Rantoul Trustee. He has also served on committees at First United Methodist Church, the Rantoul Fire & Police Commission, Big Brother/Big Sister Program, Rantoul Rockets Track Team Board of Directors, and Peer Mentor at Lincoln’s Challenge.

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Dawn Blackman

Outreach Pastor at Champaign Church of the Brethren 

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Lemond Peppers, Moderator

City of Urbana

Our experienced panel will discuss what sorts of breaks in the digital world people of color and people with low income experience and how it effects their lives. 

What are the dimensions of the digital divide? Access to the internet is the first thing that people think of, but this is just the surface. 

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What about: One this is simple access to the internet. What about getting the technology? what about ensuring that people know how to use the technology?