MMTC Summer 2019 Newsletter, Volume 2

MMTC relaunched its signature Digital Equity Roundtable series with the "FCC & Hill Update on Connectivity and Privacy: Developments Impacting Communities of Color" on July 17th at Davis, Wright, Tremaine. MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley's welcoming remarks kicked off the discussion that was moderated by MMTC Board member Deborah Lathen. MMTC Vice President of Telecommunications and Spectrum Policy Dr. Rikin Thakker, Director of Communications and Research Marcella Gadson, and Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin presented updates on the hot topics from the FCC's July Open Meeting. Other speakers included Loretta Polk, NCTA Vice President and Deputy General Counsel; Antonio Williams, Comcast Executive Director, External Affairs; MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley; and Maryam Casabarro, CIPP/US, a Davis, Wright, Tremaine associate. The topics addressed included C onnected Care Services, broadband connectivity, 5G incentive auctions and 2.5 GHz band, CBRS millimeter wave auction, mapping, robocalls, duplicative franchise taxes and fees and consumer online privacy, and algorithmic bias.

MMTC-Led Coalition to FCC:

Protect Consumers from

Duplicative Cable and Internet Fees

Millions of people in the U.S. have experienced bill shock - a reaction to taxes and fees tacked on to their cable bills that they did not expect or understand. On August 1st, the FCC had an opportunity to alleviate this shock and burden on consumers when FCC leaders vote on the future of how cable carriers can tax bundle cable-internet bills.

Read the MMTC Broadband and Social Justice blog here to learn more about the issue.

FCC and MMTC Team Up to

Help Consumers Declare

Independence from Robocalls

Americans received more than 26 billion robocalls in 2018 , a 46 percent increase over the previous year, according to third-party estimates. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) receives more consumer complaints on this topic than any other, reflecting consumers' growing frustration with the illegal and unwanted calls. That's why the FCC and MMTC teamed up to help consumers declare independence from robocalls via action alert emails. The action alerts included tips and information that can help you stop robocalls.

Go here to read the full action alert.

FCC July Updates

Learn about the FCC's latest updates below.

FCC announces Communications Security, Reliability, And Interoperability Council (CSRIC) VII Working Groups and seeks additional participation. Nominations are due on or before August 5th. Read more here.

FCC is accepting applications for Fall 2020 Honors Program. The application window runs from August 1st to September 17th. Apply here.

Go here to watch the video of the July 11th SHAKEN/STIR Summit.

FCC modernizes children's tv programming rules. Read more here.

FCC aims to speed the deployment of wi-fi in schools and libraries. Read more here.

FCC proposes $100 Million Connected Care Pilot Telehealth Program. Read more here.

FCC takes action to promote broadband deployment and competition in apartment and office building. Read more here.

MMTC Supports

Congressman Butterfield's Tax

Certificate Broadcast Opportunities Act

On July 25th, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, along with Congressmembers Bobby Rush, Yvette Clarke, Tony Cárdenas, Marc Veasey, and Alcee Hastings, introduced H.R. 3957, the "Expanding Broadcast Opportunities Act," designed to revive the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Tax Certificate Policy. The bill, if enacted, would direct the FCC to take proactive steps to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcast industry, reviving a policy that was repealed in 1995 after a successful 17-year history. MMTC strongly supports Congressman Butterfield's renewed effort to promote diverse broadcast ownership, a goal MMTC has sought since its founding in 1986.

Read MMTC's press statement here.

Read Congressman Butterfield's press release here.

MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley Joins Privacy Panel Discussion

Hosted by ALLvanza and National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts

MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley participated in ALLvanza and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts' panel discussion on technology's impact on privacy on July 18th. Coley's co-panelists included Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation Governance Studies, Brookings Institution; Daniel Garza, President, The LIBRE Initiative; and John Breyault, Vice President, Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud, National Consumers League. Rosa Mendoza Dávila, President and CEO, ALLvanza; and Felix Sanchez, Chairman and Co-Founder, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, served as moderators.

During the discussion, Coley's comments addressed MMTC's support of a national privacy framework that covers the entire internet ecosystem. She stated, " consumer privacy is currently governed by a patchwork of state and federal statutes that place duplicative or contradictory privacy-related obligations on organizations and only further confuse consumers. Internet service providers are regulated differently from online "edge" companies such as Facebook and Google under certain federal and state laws, which contributes to increased consumer confusion and risk, depending on where and how the consumer is using the internet. Non-online providers such as CVS rewards cards and other brick and mortar companies that collect consumer data should also be subject to the same standard. MMTC believes this framework should fall under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has a long history of experience and precedent in regulating consumer privacy. We think the FTC should be given some limited rulemaking authority."

She also commented on how the U.S. can build 5G networks securely: "4G LTE was secure because the standardization body, 3GPP embedded security, hardware manufacturers controlled their networks very well by using the 3rd Generation Partnership Project standards for both 4G and 5G. Manufacturers all over the world will follow the same standard. As long as you build your network by the approved standard approved by ITU, you will be secure because they have the security parameters built in."

Odyssey Day Baltimore 2019

Up Close and Personal with

MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley

"Every successful person needs a good 'kitchen cabinet.' Surround yourself with advisors who care enough about you to tell you the truth about yourself. If two people pull your coattails about something, assume it is a problem you need to address," said MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley during the " Up Close and Personal Derailment - How Successful Leaders Avoid It" conversation she had with Valerie Rainford, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer & Head of Advancing Black Leaders & Diversity Advancement Strategies, JPMorgan Chase & Co., at Odyssey Media's Odyssey Day Baltimore 2019 on July 16th at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor. Special thanks to Kim M. Keenan, S enior Executive Vice President of Marketing & Research at Odyssey Media, for inviting Coley to share the lessons she learned as a lawyer and business execution and nonprofit leader with the Odyssey Day Baltimore 2019 attendees.

MMTC Presents at the Wireless Infrastructure Association's

Connect(X) Conference

On May 20-23, the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) held its annual Connect (X) , a conference that showcases the leaders in 5G infrastructure. MMTC Board Chair Dr. Ronald Johnson, Vice President Dr. Rikin Thakker; and Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin gave presentations and participated in panel discussions during Connect(X).

In his role as WIA's Sr. Advisor and Chief strategist for Diversity and Inclusion, Chairrman Johnson facilitated the Supplier Development and Diversity Summit. In that role he developed and moderated the HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions Apprenticeship Accelerator Symposium and Workshop, and the Supplier Diversity Match-making events on May 22nd. Here's what Chairman Johnson had to say about the conference "WIA has a long history of promoting and supporting diversity within the wireless and related industries. A highlight of WIA Connect(X) is the Diversity Summit Day focusing on workforce and supplier diversity. The Apprenticeship Accelerator Symposium and Workshop, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, is the first of his kind event that attracted higher education institutions and businesses wanting to forge sustainable employment partnerships for current students and recent graduates. The other event was the annual supplier diversity match-making session that attracted many diverse suppliers and major telecom companies seeking to forge business relationship around procurement and contracting opportunities. We are proud that so many of our members support this event, which is a business win for both sides."

Former FCC Commissioner and President and CEO of WIA Jonathan Adelson noted in his opening remarks that "Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions educate and train an exceptional talent pool of students and recent graduates. Apprenticeship programs at these institutions in alignment with WIA's members and Industry partners can result in a more diverse workforce to fill the inordinately high employment opportunities in the wireless industry today, These opportunities are due in no small part to the rapid development and deployment of 5G technologies. However, driving up diverse workforce numbers is not nearly enough. WIA believes that apprenticeship programs, when structured properly, will provide an effective pathway to increased diversity at the top of management and c-suite levels. Just as importantly, reports show there is a correlation between diversity and the financial success of corporations. The WIA is the association leader in promoting the importance of apprenticeships to its members, and the value of partnering with institutions like those of you who are present today. However, this Accelerator today is just another innovative step that our industry is undertaking under the leadership of Chairman Johnson. We will continue this effort and forge new pathways in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor and our non-profit partner, the Multicultural Media Telecom and Internet Council. While you are here today, please avail yourselves of other sessions and events taking place"

MMTC Vice President Dr. Rikin Thakker conducted a session on 5G technologies and provided his views on the current state of 5G in the U.S. during the 5G Training Workshop hosted by the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC) on May 20th. Dr. Thakker also participated in a panel discussion where he addressed the "skills gap" in the wireless industry and how various platforms, including Apprenticeships, are helping to bridge this gap. His co-panelists included Phil Ziegler, a wireless engineering consultant and TEC instructor, and Barbara Burba, owner of Amerisite Wireless Development. He also chaired the Innovation and Technology Council's CBRS Working Group.

MMTC Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin joined a panel discussion on Connectivity and Sustainability: Closing the Digital Exclusion Gap on May 21st. During the panel, she discussed what Federal authorities can do to ensure that broadband access is universal, affordable, and addresses the nation's digital divide for both rural and urban communities. In addition to underscoring the protection of the Lifeline program, she emphasized the importance of accurate, granular broadband mapping data because it informs legislative and regulatory decisions on connectivity and the allocation of resources impacting the 24 million Americans that have been left behind. Her co-panelists were Bryan Darr, Executive Vice-President, Emerging Technologies Ookla; and Aimee Meacham. Chief of External Affairs, NTIA. Anna Gomez, an attorney at Law Wiley Rein LLP, moderated the discussion.

MMTC Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin

Joins NCNW GirlTECH Town Hall

On April 30th, MMTC Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin, Esq. spoke on the Town Hall of the National Council of Negro Women's (NCNW) inaugural GirlTECH, a new convening of women leaders in technology and telecommunications providing young women of color with an opportunity to obtain guidance and mentorship in those industries. The Town Hall discussion touched on everything from the importance of tech and telecom policy issues for communities of color, to career paths, and how these communities can best advocate protecting and promoting the rights and resources that close longstanding and disproportional social and equity gaps.

There were remarks from Dr. Cole, President of NCNW, Janice Mathis, Executive Director of NCNW, and Celeste McCaw, Telecom Policy Counsel of NCNW. Griffin's esteemed co-panelists included MMTC alumni Meagan Sunn, Technology Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives; and Joycelyn Tate, Senior Technology Policy Advisor of the Black Women's Roundtable, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Other panelist included Chonya Davis Johnson, Senior Policy Advisor for Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty; Kayla Gardner, State and Local Government Affairs Manager at the Wireless Infrastructure Association; and Kyra Stephenson-Valley, Washington D.C. Bureau Policy Advisor at the National Action Network. Former MMTC Cathy Hughes Fellow Charlyn Stanberry, the Chief of Staff for U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY), served as the moderator.

MMTC Chief of Staff Dorrissa Griffin Discusses Technology and The Future

of the Workforce at the

National Organization of Black

Elected Legislative Women's

34th Annual Legislative Conference

This year's National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's 34th Annual Legislative Conference included a panel discussion on the "Automation Technology and The Future of Workforce." The panel discussion addressed how the Fourth Industrial Revolution is disrupting almost every industry in the U.S. and its impact on the ways citizens will work, where they will work and the skills they will need to work. Panelists addressed the state of tech in the U.S. and the reasons communities of color care should care about it. They included Dorrissa Griffin, MMTC Chief of Staff; Marc Littlejohn, Verizon Director of Public Policy and Strategic Alliances; Comcast Senior Director of Government and External Affairs; and Danielle Dean, NCTA Director of State Government Affairs. Georgia State Senator Valencia Seay moderated the panel.

During the panel, Griffin's comments addressed MMTC's role in the future of work: " MMTC has a 33-year history of advocating on behalf of communities negatively impacted by the digital divided. The divide, as you know, is for both urban communities that cannot afford the cost to purchase access to broadband and rural for communities to which the expense of deploying broadband is to great. Unfortunately, both instances deeply impact communities of color which have been historically and systemically disadvantaged. And MMTC's mission is to eliminate those disparities so that historically disadvantaged and disenfranchised communities have equal access to the opportunity as well as the skills to compete in the digital economy."

She also discussed MMTC's workforce development efforts and how apprenticeships represent a way forward and provide a link to jobs skills that elevate to the middle class: "Since 2016, MMTC and its parnter the National Urban League (NUL) among others have worked to cultivate apprenticeship opportunities in the Information and Communications Technology sector and beyond. Branded the "Urban Apprenticeship Jobs Program," NUL has worked with 12 of its Affiliates and MMTC to recruit and train over 1,000 individuals into registered apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and preparatory training opportunities in the occupations of construction, telecommunications, information technology, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare."

MMTC Director of Communications

and Research Marcella Gadson

Moderates Privacy Panel at

MANA AvanZamos & HERMANITAS

Leadership Institute

Marcella Gadson, MMTC Director of Communications and Research, moderated a panel discussion on the "Politics of Privacy: Is Your Personal Information Safe Online?" during the 2019 MANA AvanZamos & HERMANITAS Leadership Institute on July 24th in Washington, DC. The discussion educated MANA's members on why women, communities of color, and underserved communities should take online and data privacy seriously, and explored the federal legislative solutions they should know about. Panelists included Amy Hinojosa of MANA, A National Latina Organization; Jacquelyn Puente of the Comcast Corporation; and Alejandro Roark of the Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership.

Charter Communications

Invests in Rural Broadband

Broadband can provide life changing opportunities to communities in the U.S. Rural communities face significant economic and geographic challenges in accessing broadband . In an effort to reduce these barriers, Charter Communications is exploring new and innovative ways to enable the next generation of connectivity in rural America.

Go here to learn more about Charter Communications' efforts.

Photo Credit: Charter Communications

Get Your Tickets for Multichannel News'

Wonder Women in Streaming Event

on September 5th

Multichannel News (MCN) presents the 2019 Wonder Women in Streaming, a new marquee event that will be held on September 5th at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Wonder Women in Streaming extends the 20-plus year tradition of MCN Wonder Women beyond cable and telecommunications into the over-the-top video industry. It acknowledges a group of extraordinary women in streaming for their commitment to enhancing the business, challenging the status quo and being an example for young leadership around the world. MMTC is serving as a media partner for the event.

Special Thanks to

MMTC's Summer Dream Team

Meet MMTC's summer dream team.

Pro Bono Attorney Sekoia Rogers

Sekoia Rogers received her Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law in May of 2017. While in law school, Sekoia focused her studies on the intersection of technology, communication, and intellectual property. She interned with the Federal Communications Commission in the Policy Division of the Media Bureau and with NBCUniversal/Comcast. She also served as a Senior Articles Editor for the Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law. She is a member of the D.C. Bar; the National Bar Association, Women's Lawyer Division Greater Washington Area Chapter; and the Federal Communications Bar Association. Currently, she is serving as a fellow for Common Sense Media.

Cathy Hughes Fellow Belen Crisp

Belen Crisp is a rising third-year student at the American University Washington College of Law. Belen is a member of the Mock Trial Honor Society, Black Law Students Association, and the Business Law Society. As a staff writer for the Criminal Law Practitioner, she currently has two blog posts online: " Long Arm of the Law: Cryptocrime Doesn't Pay ", and " Are Prosecutors Beyond Reproach? New York's Struggle to Address Prosecutorial Conduct ."

Hon. Henry M. Rivera Fellow Simone Smith

Simone Smith is a rising third-year student at the University of Miami School of Law. Simone spent her second year of law school in the Human Rights Clinic working on gender-based violence issues in the Miami-Dade community. During her first summer, she worked at the Legal Aid Services of Broward County's Homeless Legal Rights Unit. Prior to law school, Simone worked for three years in the financial services industry in New York City. She is and is a graduate of the Howard University School of Business.

Earle K. Moore Fellow Jamila Flomo

Jamila Flomo is a rising second-year student at the University of Miami and an alumna of the Catholic University of America, where she majored in Politics and minored in Media Studies. Next year at the University of Miami Law School, Jamila will be part of the Humans Right Clinic and plans to try-out for Moot Court. While attending the Catholic University of America (CUA), she interned for Organizing for America, Women in Film and Video, Women's Media Center, and also was an associate in the Office of Presidential Correspondence at the White House in 2013. Upon graduating from the CUA in 2015, she worked as a development assistant at Maret School and then as an administrative assistant at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

High School Interns:

Jonathan Banks, a graduate of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, is headed to Morehouse College where he will study engineering in a dual-degree program. While at Banneker High School, Jonathan was a member of the yearbook club, academic team, and school newspaper staff.

Talia Desai, a rising junior at Holton-Arms, is a part of the yearbook and tour guides clubs. Talia also plays varsity field hockey.

Sabrina Shah, a rising senior at Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School, is a member of Student Leadership and the varsity soccer team. Sabrina also founded the hospital helpers club and is a member of She's the First Wootton chapter.

Their contributions helped to make MMTC a stronger organization this summer. We appreciate their hard work and wish them the best of luck in their studies and careers.

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Social Media Highlights

MMTC's June and July Social Media Highlights

Learn more about MMTC's work by visiting our Wakelet Blog:

June 2019 Activity Highlights
July 2019 Activity Highlights

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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.

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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.
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About MMTC

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.