March 24, 2015 (NEW YORK) -- Hundreds of low-income families in 36 cities served by Urban League affiliates will receive digital literacy training and access to affordable Internet service and through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, program, according to National Urban League President and Chief Executive Officer Marc H. Morial
" At the National Urban League, we believe that every American should have access to the education, training, and tools they need to get a job. We believe that broadband access at home is a critical component of that path to employment,” Morial said. “The National Urban League commends Comcast on its efforts to bridge the digital divide and on the success of their Internet Essentials program in connecting 450,000 families, or 1.8 million low-income Americans to broadband.”
Comcast’s Internet Essentials is designed to expand broadband adoption among low-income American households with at least one child eligible for free or reduced price school lunches. In addition to internet service and print, online and in-person training, families have the option to purchase a computer for less than $150.
“As America transitions to a tech-enabled economy, we must close the digital divide in order ensure that our communities are not left behind,” Morial said. “ As the nation’s largest broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials is a model for how Tech companies can work with National leaders and local community organizations to bring communities online to drive job growth, incubate minority-owned businesses and improve education outcomes. "
36 Urban League Affiliates have received grants from the Comcast Foundation to provide digital literacy training in their communities:
- Atlanta Workforce Development Board
- Greater Sacramento Urban League
- Houston Area Urban League
- Indianapolis Urban League
- Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
- Minneapolis Urban League
- Springfield Urban League
- Tacoma Urban League
- Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
- Urban League of Greater Atlanta
- Urban League of Greater Hartford
- Urban League of Hudson County
- Urban League of Metropolitan Denver
- Urban League of Middle Tennessee
- Urban League of Portland
- Chattanooga Area Urban League
- Grand Rapids Urban League
- Greater Washington Urban League
- Knoxville Area Urban League
- Memphis Urban League
- Northern Virginia Urban League
- Trident Urban League
- Urban League of Broward County
- Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
- Urban League of Greater Richmond
- Urban League of Madison County
- Urban League of Palm Beach County
- Fort Wayne Urban League Inc
- Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan
- Urban League of Northwest Indiana
- Urban League of Springfield
- Chicago Urban League
- Southwestern Michigan Urban League
- Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
- Urban League of Philadelphia
- Urban League of Southwestern Fairfield County
CONTACT: Teresa Candori
tcandori@nul.org / 212-558-5433
