September 8, 2023
E2D building connections that bridge the Digital Divide
- , community impact
On Saturday, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼ joined Charlotte’s to send 1,000 kids back to school well equipped to vault the digital divide.
It was the biggest distribution of free refurbished laptops in the history of E2D (aka Eliminate the Digital Divide) and the latest chapter in our long-running relationship.
“My first meeting with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼ was on June 9, 2015,” says ever-ebullient E2D co-founder Pat Millen. “Getting that first grant from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼ made us feel like we were being ‘seen’ for our potential. It meant everything at the time and our relationship with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼ remains very special to us.”
E2D formed in 2012 to help bridge Charlotte’s digital divide, which the org defines as “the opportunity gap between those who have ready-access to computers and the internet, and those who do not.” E2D collects used laptops from generous corporations, refurbishes them in student-led technology labs, and distributes them to student families who don't have a computer at home.
On Saturday, August 26th Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼ team members were among the many eager volunteers handing out the 1,000 laptops at the ImaginOn Library. Jess George, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼'s Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact noted that the event meant E2D has distributed more than 38,000 laptops since its founding.
“Being part of this journey has been so special to all of us at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û¼Ç¼,” George said. “We have prioritized inclusion and connection, and, honestly, hearing Pat talk about our relationship brings tears to my eyes.”
Posted by Pat Millen. Founder/President, E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide