From the Great Migration to Digital Equity: Trust, Discrimination, and Adoption

The "Digital Determinants" podcast offers critical insights into how historical events, particularly the Great Migration, intersect with today’s pervasive digital inequities. Each episode offers intersectional analysis, tying technological barriers to broader socio-political challenges. Through storytelling, historical frameworks, and actionable insights, the podcast converges different disciplines to advocate for digital equity. This essay describes five episodes of the podcast, connecting their themes to five key recommendations for digital equity advocacy, with the aim of contributing meaningful insights to the broader discourse on this critical issue.

1. Storytelling advances digital equity and bridges gaps by raising awareness and fostering understanding and empathy among diverse communities.

2. To truly advance digital equity, dedicated leadership at every community level is crucial.

3. More outreach and engagement with Black Churches and Black Church Coalitions.

4. Digital Equity subject matter experts should be part of every economic council and special group focused on economic development or wealth generation for marginalized communities.

5. Contact local elected representatives and demand policies that promote affordable internet access and digital literacy programs. 

Kyla Williams Tate is the Director of Digital Equity in the Cook County Office of the President. Her Benton Opportunity Fund Fellowship project traces the relationship between trust, digital discrimination, and digital adoption among the descendants of the Great Migration.