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MMTC's Highlights from 10th Annual
Broadband and Social Justice Conference
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The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) hosted its 10th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit (#BBJ19) on March 6, 2019. During the #BBSJ19 Summit, media and telecom industry experts, innovators, investors, and social justice advocates discussed the latest developments in tech accountability, online privacy, net neutrality, diversity, the future of work, innovative financing, spectrum, and next generation technologies and opportunities for smart cities and entrepreneurs.
Click on the links below for #BBSJ19 highlights.
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Broadband and Social Justice
Awards Luncheon Honorees
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During the Broadband and Social Justice Awards Luncheon, MMTC conferred its highest honors to individuals, institutions, and corporations who have helped us make great strides in our media and telecom advocacy to present opportunities to communities of color.
The Luncheon also featured fireside chats with FCC Commissioners and top Congressional staffers from the House and Senate.
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FCC Commissioners' Breakfast:
The Diversity Agenda
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MMTC's 10th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit began with the FCC Commissioners' Breakfast: The Diversity Agenda. It included a series of Fireside Chats that discussed the state of broadband, privacy, telehealth, media ownership, spectrum auctions, infrastructure (5G, 10G, small cells deployment, and the digital divide), the fate of the Lifeline program for low-income telecommunications access, the homework gap, and more.
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Special Thanks to #BBSJ19 Sponsors
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MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley Delivers the State of Broadband and Social Justice Address
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"MMTC: We (STILL) Make Diverse Voices Matter and So Can YOU" was the theme of MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley's Broadband and Social Justice Address.
Excerpt from Address:
[When] I joined MMTC, I realized that, through MMTC, I could partner with dozens of other like-minded individuals and organizations-like the ones in this room-who fight to ensure that communications policy issues line up with overall societal reforms.
I realized that I could use my voice through MMTC to amplify support for multicultural entrepreneurs, to help them access capital and share their stories, through the broadcast outlets and internet platforms that they own and operate.
We could all use our voices to help end predatory prison phone rates, or to help someone to get a Lifeline phone to help them stay connected during a tough period in their lives.
And I have seen this happen in real-time in the years that I've been at MMTC, such as the FCC finally agreeing to
impose a cap on predatory prison phone rates, thanks to years of advocacy by Commissioner Clyburn, who, along with MMTC, had honored Mrs. Martha Wright-Reed, Ava DuVernay, the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, and many others.
I also watched things unfold as we successfully
petitioned the FCC to expand the Lifeline phone program for low-income households to include broadband. This changed came about as a result of many voices; years of public comments in FCC proceedings; coalition-building with partners like the National Urban League and LULAC; and translating esoteric telecom policy into plain language through
white papers and
op-eds that addressed misconceptions about a program that helps millions of low-income households make the vital connections they need.
We continue this work today, fighting to keep the Lifeline program from being gutted; to keep costs of internet access low; to give communities of color a voice through media ownership; to train the next generation of communications and social justice leaders; and to do so much more.
Understand this: the core of all the work we do here at MMTC is to help bridge a persistent wealth and opportunity gap that keeps many individuals, families, and communities marginalized and locked out of opportunity.
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Broadband and Social Justice Town Hall Part I
Privacy, Big Data, and Social Justice
Targeted Advertising and the Impact
on Communities of Color
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During the Broadband and Social Justice Town Hall Part 1:
Privacy, Big Data, and Social Justice Targeted Advertising, and the Impact on Communities of Color, experts discussed the collection, use and monetization of consumer online data, as well as their harms and impacts on communities of color, and the need for legislation to provide a clear regulatory path and to protect consumers from harm.
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Broadband and Social Justice Town Hall Part II
Net Neutrality and Communities of Color:
Where Are We Now?
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During the Broadband and Social Justice Town Hall Part 2:
Net Neutrality and Communities of Color Where Are We Now?, e
xperts representing communities of color discussed legislative solutions that protect civil rights online, prevent online gatekeepers (both on the infrastructure provider side and the social media and search engine side) from censoring or discriminating against marginalized voices, while promoting ongoing efforts to close the digital divide.
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Infrastructure Landscape and Connected Communities: The Latest Development
in 10G, 5G, and IoT
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During the Infrastructure Landscape and Connected Communities: The Latest Development in 10G, 5G, and IoT session, major telecom and tech company executives discussed the latest developments in broadband infrastructure and technology that improve access to wireline broadband (such as 10G) and wireless connectivity (such as 5G). Panelists also addressed the impacts, challenges, and opportunities of broadband infrastructure development on jobs, entrepreneurship, the digital divide for communities of color, and Lifeline program.
See ph
oto gallery
here
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Diversifying and Protecting
the
Hollywood Creative Pipeline
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During the Diversifying and Protecting the Hollywood Creative Pipeline session, diverse, trailblazing content creators, experts, and leaders discussed programs and film festivals that help multicultural creatives cultivate their talent, as well as navigate the process of ideation, monetization, and content protection.
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The Broadband and Social Justice Networking Reception was hosted by Erwin Krasnow, Partner, Garvey Schubert Barer; Vice Chair, MMTC Board of Directors; and Steven C. Roberts, President and Founder, Roberts Broadcasting Company; Member, MMTC Board of Directors. During the reception, Roberts thanked the #BBSJ19 sponsors and Stephanie Phillipps, Arnold & Porter, host. Krasnow recognized MMTC's Professional Development Program.
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Help Expand MMTC's Work in Media, Telecom & Tech!
With our nonpartisan values of diversity and inclusion, MMTC continues to pursue our work with great determination notwithstanding our modest resources.
We
offer our sincere appreciation for support in helping us deliver our world-class advocacy, convenings, and policy leadership in industries regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
TO SUPPORT MMTC, YOU CAN DONATE IN TWO WAYS:
- Fellowship: Help the next generation of media and telecom lawyers and policy professionals to advocate on behalf of our nation's multicultural, women, and underserved communities by investing in the new Henry M. Rivera Fellowship. Other fellowships you are invited to support are the Cathy Hughes and Earle K. Moore fellowships.
- General: Make a donation to general support.
MMTC is recognized by the IRS under 26 U.S.C. ยง501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.
Your support makes it possible for MMTC to serve as an advocate for diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the nation's most important industries. Thank You!
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The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) is a non-partisan, national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity in the mass media, telecom and broadband industries, and closing the digital divide. MMTC is generally recognized as the nation's leading advocate for multicultural advancement in communications. We strongly believe that the breathtaking changes in communications technology and the new global forms of media partnerships must enhance diversity in the 21st century.
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