May 19, 2008

The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE) Chairman Julius H. Hollis announced the launch of the Miami Digital Empowerment Council May 8, offering ADE’s strong support and another key partnership for the Digital Literacy cornerstone of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz’ award-winning ELEVATE Miami program. ADE is a non-profit consumer advocacy group formed to increase minority access to broadband internet and entered into the partnership to support Miami’s ground-breaking program and its efforts. ELEVATE Miami was the recipient of the first-place award in the nationwide City Livability Awards program in 2007. Digital Literacy across all demographic groups is an integral element of Diaz’ comprehensive strategy to reduce and remedy endemic poverty in Miami.

The partnership with the Alliance for Digital Equality will support digital internet access across all demographic groups throughout Miami, adding to the support enjoyed by ELEVATE programs like eSeniors, eParks and the Rites of Passage program. The latter is a joint endeavor focusing on school children resulting from the ground-breaking Education Compact between the city and the Miami Dade Public Schools system. These wide-ranging programs are geared to provide Miami residents with access to the tools required to make Miami a truly 21st Century Digital City.

“In order for Miami residents to earn a living wage and join a workforce that will attract economic investments, the city must address digital inclusion aggressively,” said Diaz. “I thank Chairman Hollis and the Alliance for Digital Equality for recognizing the success of ELEVATE Miami and I look forward to partnering with them to further promote digital inclusion in the city.” Diaz was elected Vice-President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the 75th Annual Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles last year.

Hollis said he was inspired by the mayor’s annual State of the City Address at the Freedom Tower last month and consequently joined with the mayor and the city to form the new public-private partnership between the city and the non-profit group. The Miami Digital Empowerment Council (DEC) will examine the impact of broadband access on the local community as part of an ADE nationwide initiative that advocates for increased broadband access in urban and underserved communities. To date, the Alliance has launched Councils in Charleston, Houston and Detroit.

The Miami DEC will be responsible for the Miami component of a national study, called Affordable Broadband: Empowering Communities Across the Digital Divide, that explores the relationship between access to broadband internet and better employment, health care and educational opportunities. The group hopes to use the findings to encourage a national agenda of ensuring affordable broadband internet access for minorities.

Launch activities also included remarks by ADE Board Member Bill Diggs, and President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Jabari Simama, author of the first Affordable Broadband study. For more information about ELEVATE Miami, visit the website www.ELEVATEMiami.com. For more information about Diaz’ work to promote digital inclusion and access to internet services, including ACCESS Miami, visit www.miamigov.com/mayor