Long Beach is climbing the ranks as a technological pioneer in the realm of digital inclusion, having been named a 2023 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). According to a press release from the city, this accolade highlights Long Beach's unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide and bolstering digital equity for all residents.
In an announcement on December 13, officials from Long Beach detailed their digital inclusion feats, such as disbursing over $2.7 million in federal funds to ensure more residents could tap into the digital realm. Mayor Rex Richardson praised the recognition: "We are proud to be recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for our consistent progress in digital inclusion." Under Richardson's leadership and in lockstep with community partners, the City has handed out over 2,400 free hotspots and nearly 3,000 computing devices to the Long Beach populace most in need.
The city’s Technology and Innovation Department, led by Director Lea Eriksen, showed no signs of slowing down, having launched several initiatives. These include a reinvigorated Digital Inclusion Resource Hotline, which has answered over 2,600 inquiries since its revival last year. Eriksen lauded her team's continued efforts, stating in the press release: "This six-time recognition by the NDIA speaks volumes to the City’s commitment towards addressing the digital divide in Long Beach despite ever-changing technology and the challenges that come with those changes."
By revising their Digital Inclusion Resource Guides in several languages, they've made strides toward an inclusive technological community. The city's strategies were further consolidated in June 2021 with the approval of the City's first Digital Inclusion Roadmap.
Angela Siefer, executive director of the NDIA, pointed out that achieving digital equity requires a collective commitment. "Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands on deck," she remarked on the importance of local government involvement.
