39th Annual Parker Lecture & Awards Ceremony

Community and celebration is essential as we work to make our world more just, more connected and more accountable. Join with us as we reflect, rejoice and get energized.

Eric K. Ward will deliver this year's Parker Lecture. During a time when the country is grappling with its response to racism and white supremacy, particularly online, Ward bring his compelling voice to address these critical issues. Ward is a frequently sought-after voice on race issues. In addition to his position at the Western States Center, he received the Peabody-Facebook Futures Media Award, is a Senior Fellow both at the Southern Poverty Law Center and at Race Forward. Ward also performs as Bulldog Shadow in a style of music that Outer Voices calls “a muscular, straightforward brand of Americana that benefits from a heavy dose of punk ethos.”

We celebrate our two awardees' efforts towards digital equity:

Angela Siefer is executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and has worked for 20+ years to bring all persons online. She created the NDIA in 2015, which aims to be a a united voice for initiatives that promote home and public broadband access and local technology training and support programs, work that became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Francella Ochillo is executive director of Next Century Cities, a nonprofit working to expand high-speed broadband connectivity across the U.S. Her digital rights advocate work demonstrates how widespread broadband adoption can improve educational outcomes, economic mobility, the ability to age in place, and pathways for participating in our democracy.

All financial contributions for this event go to support the UCC's ministry to ensure accountability, access and affordability of communications and media technology.