On Tuesday, October 15th, digital inclusion advocates from Maryland and beyond will convene at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore for the 2024 Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit. Building upon the success of last year's event, the 2024 summit brings together leading experts to explore best practices and collaborative strategies for advancing digital literacy and inclusion. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with breakfast and registration beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees are eligible for 6.5 entry-level Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or 5.5 Social Work continuing education credits (CEUs). The annual Maryland Digital Equity Summit is presented by Marylanders Online, a University of Maryland Extension (UME) initiative in partnership with the University of Maryland College of Information (INFO) working to promote digital literacy throughout the state. For more information about 2024 Digital Equity Summit speakers, agenda, or registration information, visit the UME Marylanders Online website.
About the Summit Speakers and Panelists
Aligning with the Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Plan and the Digital Equity Act, the summit aims to maximize the meaningful exchange of information, best practices, and experiences to overcome Maryland’s digital inequity challenges. From implementation and collaboration to evaluation and impact - the second annual Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit addresses the topic, “Beyond the Divide: Best Practices and Collaborative Strategies in Digital Equity,” delving into the key components needed for advancing digital equity. Summit opening remarks will be offered by Carol A. Beatty, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities; Anil Lewis, M.P.A, Executive Director with the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute; and Dr. Jinhee Kim; Associate Professor, Associate Dean, and Associate Director at the University of Maryland Extension (UME).
Dr. Revati Prasad, Vice President of Programs at the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, will deliver the summit’s keynote address. Her presentation introduces the ‘Human Infrastructure of Broadband’ project, a collaborative study led by the Benton Institute in partnership with the American Library Association, METRO’s Digital Equity Research Center, and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, working to examine the crucial role of human capital in bridging the digital divide.
Following the keynote address, the Higher Education Systems Plenary session explores the University of Maryland Extension's impactful digital equity work from both a statewide and national perspective, expanding on concepts that showcase how higher education systems can leverage their expertise and resources to connect with underserved communities through data collection and capacity-building. The plenary will be tabled by Dr. Dondra Bailey, Assistant Professor at Coppin State University; Stephen Alessi, Associate Director for the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development; Kathryn (Katie) Leach, Instructional Director for the University of Idaho Extension Digital Economy Program; John Horrigan, Senior Fellow at Benton Institute for Broadband & Society; and moderation provided by Isaias Tesfalidet, Project Director with the UME Marylanders Online initiative.
After the plenary discussion, attendees can enjoy a lunch buffet catered by local Baltimore business Zeffert and Gold Catering, followed by an exciting Lightning Rounds session where nine speakers have three minutes each to share their innovative strategies and actionable advice for digital inclusion. The lunchtime break will conclude with the 2024 Maryland Digital Equity Champion Awards ceremony, honoring outstanding individuals or organizations who were nominated and selected for their exceptional contributions to advancing digital equity in Maryland.
The State Entities Panel will lead into the summit’s afternoon session with a discussion about the Maryland State Digital Equity Plan, funding strategies, and the role of community technology centers in expanding digital inclusion. State Entities panelists include Amy Huffman, Policy Director with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance; Ronnie Hammond, Director of Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband; Jay Uebel, Broadband Manager of Carroll County Broadband Project; Ashley Teagle, CEO of Southern Maryland Regional Library Association; and moderation provided by Jake Varn, Broadband Access Initiative Associate Manager with Pew Charitable Trusts.
The Digital Equity Planning and Outreach Panel will bring together state and local experts addressing the essential strategies for community outreach, outcomes-driven data collection, and building strong rural, urban, and state-level coalitions for inclusive and sustainable digital equity solutions. Panelists for this session include Samantha Musgrave, Interim Executive Director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition; Molly Sherman, Executive Director of Carroll County Technology and Innovation Council; William Honablew Jr., Digital Equity Coordinator of the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology; Vishnupriya Desai, Digital Equity Manager of the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband, and moderation provided by Andrew Coy, CEO and President of the Digital Harbor Foundation.
Following a short break, the Digital Skills Training Panel will discuss lessons learned from successful digital training programs, focusing on program sustainability, resource curation, and reaching diverse populations. Panelists for this session include James Neal, Senior Program Officer with the Institute of Museum and Library Services; Gabriel Fumero, Tech Educator with UME; Rachael Stephens Parker, Executive Director of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board of Maryland; Maria Barga, Senior Planet Instructor and UME Tech Educator; with moderation provided by Quiana Bannerman, Director of the Maryland Center for Computing Education.
The summit will culminate with the Digital Navigation Panel, tabled by experienced digital navigators who will share their insights on the challenges and successes of bridging the digital divide and offering practical advice for sustaining digital navigation programs. The Digital Navigation panel will be tabled by Diane Ducharme, Manager of the Veterans Directed Care Program for the IMAGE Center for People with Disabilities; Meinaldo Puente Batista, Digital Navigator with UME Marylanders Online; Noah O’Ryan, Regional Program Manager of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) with AARP; Rasheed Green, Digital Navigator with Enoch Pratt Free Library; and moderation provided by Dr. Mega Subramaniam, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty at UMD College of Information.
Registration for the 2024 Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit is $40 before October 1st, or $50 until the October 15th event. For more information about the summit, visit the Marylanders Online website or register directly at https://go.umd.edu/2024DES. Registration includes complimentary parking, breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. To ensure accessibility, live American Sign Language (ASL) translation and CART captioning services will be provided. Individuals interested in learning more about digital equity are also encouraged to register for the Digital Equity Webinar Series, which will be held weekly from October 4th to December 6th. The 2024 Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit is supported by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Marylanders Online is a statewide digital literacy project through the University of Maryland Extension that offers free tech support, computer help, and digital skills resources and training. The toll-free helpline 1-866-206-8467 can be reached Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by emailing marylandersonline@umd.edu. Support is available in Spanish, English, and over 180 additional languages upon request.