Connected Nation

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the "need for speed" when it comes to internet connectivity – specifically how the U-S is doing in comparison to the E-U. The Fair Internet Report has been tracking *international* broadband performance for years. The report’s lead researcher shares when there was a “transformational change” in download speeds, how the US a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with those behind Accelecom  – a company created specifically to manage commercial access to Kentucky’s newly created state-owned, fiber optic network. We ask how the company is helping  private and nonprofit organizations tap into the  new, high-speed network, why it’s a good business model, and what mistakes - and victories - were ma...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the President and CMO for Parks Associates - a national market and research consulting firm.  Learn how this woman and family-owned firm became one of the most trusted companies in tech research and find out what emerging consumer tech trends leadership sees on the horizon.  Related links: Parks Associates website - https://www.par...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the idea of building an internet for everyone in every corner of the globe.    We’ll talk with the man who serves as the regional Vice President for North America for the Internet Society – a nonprofit working to not only extend the internet’s reach but also protect its long-term well-being.    Related links: Internet society website...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Dr. Fallon Wilson, who is the co-founder and CEO of Black Tech Futures Research institute. We’ll discuss her work for equal access and representation in tech, media, and telecommunications AND learn more about her prophecies for Black tech in America. Related links: Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council website - https...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we explore the important work being done by the Black Churches 4 Broadband Coalition.    Learn how the group is working to better connect black communities, what resources each of us can share to help others, AND why the Coalition calls the need for universal broadband "a civil rights issue."  Related links:  Black Churches 4 Broadba...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we take a deep dive with those behind efforts to improve high-speed internet coverage across all areas of Texas – which is not an easy task when you consider how large the Lone Star State is. We’ll discuss what it has taken to develop better broadband coverage data for a whopping 254 counties – we’ll ask why that’s so important and explore the...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation we talk with the co-founder and CEO of Eventnoire – a premiere ticketing platform for events that embrace black culture. The company recently won a national startup competition for its innovative work.   Learn how the company supports event organizers and business leaders within the black community in a unique way – that both celebrates black cu...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation  we talk with the Founder and CEO of Core Learning Exchange—a national organization focused on CTE and STEM training.   Learn how the company is creating more diverse and equitable online learning models  WHILE at the same time pivoting training to respond to major surges in the job market – that make those who finish the program in-demand.     ...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Vice President of Connect K12 about the recently released “Report on School Connectivity.”   Find out what new data shows us about internet connectivity at America’s schools, what’s now being used as the standard benchmark for districts, and what’s on the line as Connect K-12 focuses on empowering state and school district lead...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with leadership from nation’s third largest agricultural co-ops – Land O’Lakes, Inc.  Learn why the farmer-owned organization is now taking active steps to close the Digital Divide and how leadership hopes to close digital equity gaps in rural America by partnering with a national nonprofit that works to grow civic leaders in under-res...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with former Microsoft Executive and Amazon Senior Vice President David Risher. Learn how he plans to reach one billion children with his Worldreader program, why he says readers have better lives overall, and the reason he believes  expanding broadband access can positively impact the nation’s literacy rates.  Related links: Worldreader...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Executive Director of Link Oregon – a nonprofit working to create and operate a statewide, high-speed fiber-optic network for the public and non-profit sectors.  Learn how the organization is tackling the need on tribal lands, collaborating with other western states to get the job done, AND the role wildfires (among other natur...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation we talk with the author of the book entitled “Farm Fresh Broadband—the politics of rural connectivity.”   Learn why he says US broadband policy is "broken," what many of use are getting wrong about rural America, and how taking a new, more informed approach could finally help close the rural-urban Digital Divide. Related links: Follow...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you on a worldwide adventure courtesy of those behind what’s been dubbed “The Great Empatico Expedition.”  Learn how this free program empowers students and teachers from more than 160 countries to explore the world—creating experiences that spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy for others. Related links: Check out the website: https:/...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the authors of a new, national report that examines “learning at home while being under-connected.” The report's authors went directly to parents to learn how they coped with the unexpected challenges of COVID-19.  Find out what the research revealed about remote learning, what it uncovered about digital inequities among our n...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Founder and Executive Director of Computers 4 People—a nonprofit that’s putting a modern twist on the old adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  Learn how the group is using that idea to close the digital equity gap, the missing piece that the AT&T homework gap program provided (and THAT continues to be a need)...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with those behind Digitunity—a national  nonprofit working to ensure everyone who needs a computer has one.    It’s a gap that’s often overlooked – and it’s one that can be closed partly by shifting the way US companies address their supply chain. Find out how that’s possible and how those in need can leverage the program.   Related lin...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Michigan’s Lt. Governor about the state’s recently established High-Speed Internet Office.  Find out why the Governor and Lt. Governor believe expanding internet access to all Michiganders is critical for the state and learn why their approach is something other leaders can leverage.   Related links Learn more about the Michigan Hi...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program with Paloma Perez, who serves as the Press Secretary for the Federal Communications Commission. The agency is overseeing the EBB Program.  Learn why Perez calls this "a great time to be at the FCC," how her experience is helping the agency expand who it reaches, and what YOU should kn...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we'll examine how America’s schools can better respond to the need for internet connectivity at home and in the classroom.   We talk with leaders from the Utah Education Network about work done prior to 2020 that allowed them to more easily pivot to remote learning, learn how the approach is different for Tribal lands, and ask "what&a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Farah Ahmad, who serves as the Chief of Staff in the office of the Under Secretary in USDA Rural Development who says they see their mission as "serving community first."  We'll discuss how the agency tackles the diverse needs of rural America, share details on funding opportunities for distance learning, telemedicin...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the founder of Teach Cyber which provides free cybersecurity curricula to educators across 13 states.   Learn how these resources are being developed for and leveraged in schools, why so many companies are right now struggling to find employees who are trained to protect their networks, and what each of us can do to improve our own...

Send us Fan Mail Right now,  millions of COVID-19 vaccinations are being given out across the country in hopes of finally ending the pandemic – but what role does access to technology, or lack of it, play in getting those shots to Americans?  On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Chief Medical Information Officer for Baptist Health about the challenges of vaccinating the public, ho...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we’re focused on an alarming trend—women dropping out of the labor force at a higher rate than men.  It’s an issue that’s especially timely as we mark Women’s History Month in March.  We talk with two women who are experts in workforce development and workplace issues about why we’re seeing this trend, how employers can use tech to help shift...