E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide

For the past 9 years, Brighthouse Financial (formerly MetLife) has supported E2D with hundreds of computers and meaningful financial support to help us with the refurbishing and relicensing process. We are so grateful to Crystal Dunham (She/Her) and Jeff Hughes & the whole IT team at Brighthouse. These laptops are coming to us with such perfect timing for us to provide impact for folks who really need it now!

We're #hiring a new Courier/Shipping Coordinator in Charlotte, North Carolina. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Today, with joy and gratitude, we remember our dear friend Patrick. His unwavering commitment to caring for others is woven into the very DNA of all we do at E2D. His legacy lives on in each effort, each impact, and in the heart of our mission. Thank you, Patrick, for continuing to inspire us every day. 💙

Did you see us at Insight Global's Be the Light Tour event? We had a great time networking with students from local high schools about joining our lab technician team. A HUGE thank you to AvidXchange, Inc. for purchasing E2D Laptops to raffle off to students at the event.

E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide just did our 3rd trip to WNC in the past 11 days. This is our friend, Tatiana Magee from High Country Council of Governments in Boone. So far we have computers billeted for Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Transylvania, Rutherford and Haywood Counties. Our work continues...

E2D is 100% committed to supporting the people of Western North Carolina (WNC). We were delighted to be able to deliver computers and other needed equipment to our esteemed colleagues at Land of Sky Regional Council and @Through the Trees from Transylvania County. The conditions in WNC are still dire, but the amount of work the government and volunteers are putting into this region is incredible and inspiring. We saw people signing up directly for FEMA benefits in make-shift tents working off remote vehicles in parking lots at Ingles Markets, Inc. The key is to ensure that we all stay focused on helping WNC. There are no quick fixes, and rebuilding this region will take significant time and community effort. Let's keep this work going!

At E2D, we believe that digital equity is a necessity for everyone. As we continue to support those impacted by the disaster in Western North Carolina, we are reminded that community connection and support are everything. Throughout Digital Inclusion Week, we’ve been reminded of the importance of access to technology for every family, student, and individual in our city. We’re proud of the strides we’ve made, but there’s still more work to be done! This is a collaborative effort. We depend on our local leaders to support and advocate for our work, which you will see in the letter from Mayor Vi Lyles A huge thank you to our partners, supporters, and the community for rallying behind the mission to ensure EVERYONE is connected. Let’s keep this momentum going! #DigitalInclusionWeek #DigitalEquity #E2D

At its core, #digitalinclusion is about creating a society where every individual can fully and equitably access and use technology. We partnered with Connected Nation eero Human-I-T National Digital Inclusion Alliance to distribute routers to families in North Carolina. Stay tuned for more on what we did this week! #DIW2024 #InclusiveTech

North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH) (Brooks Raiford) and Kramden Institute's 3rd Annual Device Drive was a huge success with 110 drop-offs and 7 full pallets of donations. Special guests attended including N.C. Department of Information Technology Secretary Jim Weaver, who provided a updated briefing on the work being done in #WNC to restore communications networks, NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri, NC Rep Zack Hawkins, and S.G. Pat Miller E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide. Donations are needed more than ever as we look to the coming weeks of recovery and rebuilding in WNC. Many families lost everything and Kramden and E2D need to start now to ensure those families and students have computers to begin rebuilding their lives. #Helene Event video: https://lnkd.in/exjZ4393

Throughout the week, CDE members and volunteers have been working hand-in-hand with local organizations to help those affected by hurricane #Helene. One of the biggest impacts the storm had was on connectivity. Thousands do not have access to devices or reliable internet—both are needed to communicate with loved ones connect with critical resources, like FEMA assistance. To that end, we are: • deploying iPads preloaded with FEMA and other support resources (to date, 203 have been deployed to the High Country Council of Governments and to Land of Sky Regional Council) • actively requesting laptop donations through E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide Connect with us if you want to help, too. #Connections #FEMA #Helene