By Brian Donoghue
At the corner of Broad and Venango Streets in North Philadelphia, the historic Zion Baptist Church Of Philadelphia has been the headquarters for vital community conversations. It is also home to civil rights leaders who led social and economic justice movements that ignited reform worldwide. On June 24, 2023, residents gathered to discuss a 21st-century movement that still needs immediate attention – expanding broadband access and adoption.
Tapping into the social infrastructure in North Philadelphia neighborhoods, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) selected Zion Baptist Church for an Internet for All Community Event. It is the first in a series of public listening sessions designed to inform Pennsylvania’s Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity grant programs.
The June 24th conversation was part of a daylong expo that connected residents with information about housing support by State Senator Sharif Street, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, and a local Community Development Corporation, “Called To Serve.” The goal was clear – gather firsthand perspectives from members of underinvested communities whose voices often go unheard in policy development, ensuring their insights play a crucial role in shaping the future of broadband accessibility in Pennsylvania.
PBDA is responsible for developing strategic action plans to minimize the digital divide, improve the provisioning of broadband services to unserved and underserved areas, and enhance access to digital skills. Gathering input from populations facing broadband obstacles will ultimately determine the efficacy of these programs.
Although the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is set to receive substantial federal funding through the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, the success of these initiatives depends on aligning federal grant funding with state investments that genuinely respond to community needs.
Hearing directly from residents, businesses, and local leaders not only humanizes statistics but also provides policymakers with an unfiltered picture of how broadband gaps can hamstring communities. North Philly residents emphasized the need to prioritize their community in funding timelines. They also reiterated the importance of broadband adoption support coming from trusted local partners.
The participation and shared enthusiasm in the June 24th listening session were a testament to the role that local government officials and community anchors play in community engagement. Find upcoming listening session dates here.
