On June 16, 2021, Next Century Cities’ Communications Director Brittany-Rae Gregory moderated a panel discussion on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The event was part of the annual Diversity in Tech Summit hosted by the office of Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC -12), co-founder of the Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus. Panelists included Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission; Hubert Harris, Chief of Staff at Virginia State University; and Darrell McMillon, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Delaware State University. 

Harris and McMillon highlighted the unique broadband deployment and adoption needs of HBCUs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to specific initiatives that have been implemented on their campuses to support remote instruction and operations. Chairwoman Rosenworcel shared information about the recently launched Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a COVID relief program designed to make broadband affordable for low-income households. She emphasized ways in which the program could help HBCU students, administrators, and the communities that they serve. 

The panel discussion can be viewed in its entirety here.