Chicago
Kyla Williams Tate studies the relationship between trust, digital discrimination, and digital adoption among the descendants of the Great Migration. She produced a podcast, The Digital Determinants, which delves into the complex systemic reasons behind the presence of digital inequity and the challenges surrounding digital adoption within communities comprising generations from the Great Migration.
The podcast explores the impact of trust on digital participation, the implications of digital discrimination, and the unique challenges faced by descendants of the Great Migration in embracing digital technologies. In each episode, Tate and her guests shed light on the impact of historical migration patterns on digital access, the role of generational perspectives in shaping digital behavior, and the influence of community dynamics on digital inclusion. By uncovering the determinants of digital equity and adoption, they aim to empower listeners with actionable insights and strategies to address these critical issues.Digital Determinants invites viewers and listeners to unravel the historical, social, and technological factors contributing to the digital divide in Chicago and explore potential solutions to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive digital adoption.
Episodes
Episode 1: The Beginning
Host Kyla Williams Tate introduces the inspiration behind the Digital Determinants Podcast, which includes a story about her Grandmother, an introduction to the Great Migration (special thanks to Clint Smith and Crash Course), and the Benton Opportunity Fund Fellowship.
Episode 2: Trusted Voices
For the Juneteenth episode, Kyla Williams Tate shares some insights about how Black Southerners traveled to recipient cities like Chicago, the strategic campaign from the Chicago Defender Newspaper, the employment experience for new Black residents in Chicago, a safe place and think tank in the Wabash Avenue YMCA, the Internet Equity Initiative Map, and the Cook County Digital Equity Map.
Episode 3: Was Chicago CANAAN?
Episode about Black Churches in Chicago and their role in the Great Migration. This episode references Olivet Baptist Church, the National Baptist Convention, and Black Churches for Digital Equity.
Bio
Kyla Williams Tate is the inaugural Director of Digital Equity for Cook County Government in the Office of President. Under Kyla's leadership, Cook County launched its first-ever Digital Equity Action Plan and Digital Equity Map to advance its digital equity goals and create a growing and thriving digital equity ecosystem. In December 2023, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance selected Cook County as a Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for its digital inclusion efforts. Prior to her role in government, Kyla excelled in various tech-focused positions, sharing her expertise in digital inclusion and advocacy. Kyla worked for the Smart Chicago Collaborative, the implementation team for the City of Chicago's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).
Related
Understanding Chicago’s Digital Divide (Mangla et al., 2022)
Universal Broadband in Illinois: Studying the Costs of Providing Free and Affordable Service for All Residents (Horrigan et al., 2020)