MMTC 2025 SPRING & SUMMER NEWSLETTER, July 10, 2025 | | Mark Your Calendar for MMTC's 2025 Former FCC Chairs' Symposium on July 25th | | |
Join the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) for an engaging tech, media, and telecom discussion with former FCC Chairs at the 2025 Former FCC Chairs' Symposium on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Hogan Lovells in Washington, DC. The event will also be livestreamed on Zoom.
Click the button below to register for the event.
Speakers will discuss the hottest topics in the broadband, broadcast, cable, tech, telecom, and wireless industries. Stay tuned for the announcement about the speakers and moderators.
A Symposium sponsorship or an MMTC year-round support donation are available at the levels below.
- Gold Sponsor: $15,000
- Sustaining Sponsor: $5,000
- General Sponsor: Less than $5,000
Contact Robert E. Branson, MMTC President and CEO, rbranson@mmtconline.org, and David Honig, MMTC President Emeritus and Special Advisor, david@davidhonig.org, to make your donation or click the sponsorship button below.
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Black Churches 4 Digital Equity Coalition
Hosts Juneteenth Digital Opportunity
Bible Study in Detroit
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Black Churches 4 Digital Equity Coalition partnered with Greater Grace Temple of David in Detroit, Michigan to host the 2025 National Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study, a celebration of legacy, innovation, and empowerment that focused on equipping Black communities with workforce development skills for an AI-driven job market,
This pivotal event was simultaneously streamed online, ensuring accessible participation from coast to coast. Minister Dominique Grant-King, Associate Pastor of Ebenezer Everywhere, served as the Zoom host. Over 200 people attended the in-person event at Greater Grace Temple and 200 participated in the live celebration via Zoom. Six thousand people watched via Greater Grace Temple's website, Facebook, Impact Network, YouTube, and Zoom.
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The 2025 National Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study featured an impressive lineup of speakers and partners with insights and expertise that fostered discussions on equipping Black communities with workforce development skills for an AI-driven job market. See the list of speakers and partners below.
Speakers:
- Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Senior Pastor, Greater Grace Temple of David
- Rev. Traci Blackmon, CEO & Founder of HopeBuilds, LLC
- Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO, AnitaB.org
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
- U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
- Art Thompson, CIO, Department of Innovation & Technology, City of Detroit
- Justin Moore, Civil Rights Attorney
- Robert Branson, President and CEO, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council
- Dr. Fallon Wilson, Vice President of Policy, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council
Partners:
- Ray Arceneaux, Black Tech Mafia
- Donovan Brown, Community Tech Consultant, Live6 Alliance,
- Jurnell Cockhren, Instructor and Lead Researcher, Black Tech Futures Research Institute
- Briaca Duesette, Founder, Animation Discovery Studio
- Tequila Johnson, Co-Founder and Vice President, The Equity Alliance
- Holly Rachel, Co-Founder, LocalTek
- Alexa Turnage, Black Tech Saturdays
- Johnnie Turnage, Black Tech Saturdays
- Adrienne Williams, Research Fellow, Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute
- Audrey P. Willis, Chief Innovation and Program Officer, Code Crew
- Lena Winfree, Co-Founder, LocalTek
Event Highlights: The 2025 National Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study brought together key influencers from various sectors, including faith, technology, and education, all committed to advancing digital opportunity.
- Educational Workshops: Attendees received training and resources that enhanced digital literacy, expanded access to technology, and prepared them for the future of work through hands-on training, workshops, and strategic partnerships. They learned about local digital opportunity initiatives and how to plug in and partner to sustain long-term digital opportunity efforts.
- Leadership Speeches: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) delivered welcoming remarks. Attendees gained insights from an inspiring keynote address from national faith leader, Rev. Traci Blackmon, a pastor, teacher, preacher, and public theologian.
- Music and Cultural Celebrations: Attendees experienced uplifting musical performances that embodied the spirit of Juneteenth and the drive towards digital opportunity.
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Interactive Sessions: Attendees participated in in-person and virtual workshops on AI, data privacy, Public Interest Technology, tech careers, cybersecurity, and digital skills based on a mini workforce lesson plan in the Digital Opportunity Bible Study Toolkit.
| Read March & May Issues of The Black AI Optimist Column by MMTC Policy Counsel Kenley Joseph | | |
In the March issue of The Black AI Optimist column, MMTC Policy Counsel Kenley Joseph discussed practical tools for advancing multicultural communities. Joseph also encouraged readers to submit a response to the federal government's Request for Information on a national Artificial Intelligence Action Plan. Read the full column here.
The May issue focused on the Trump Administration’s AI Education Executive Order Read the full column here.
| | MMTC Law and Policy Initiatives | | Learn About MMTC's Recent Law and Policy Efforts | |
- MMTC issued a statement thanking Hon. Geoffrey Starks for his service as FCC Commissioner.
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MMTC sent a letter urging the Prince George’s County Council to oppose CB-018-2025, which would increase taxes on wireless consumers and disproportionately affect families in need. Read it here.
- MMTC issued a statement in support of the Digital Equity Act.
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MMTC and a coalition of organizations led by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are supporting legislation – the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315 / H.R. 979) – that would ensure Americans who depend on AM radio each month for news, entertainment and critical safety information can continue to have access to this reliable communications medium. Read NAB's blog here.
- MMTC issued a statement congratulating Olivia Trusty on being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as FCC Commissioner.
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The National Digital Inclusion Association (NDIA) and a coalition of 140 organizations including MMTC submitted a letter urging Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Acting NTIA Administrator Adam Cassady to reinstate the Digital Equity Act Programs. Read NDIA's blog here.
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MMTC issued a statement in support of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund.
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On February 25, 2025, MMTC, ALLvanza, LGBT Tech, and OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates hosted the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration: Expectations and Perspectives discussion at at the offices of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, President and CEO of the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, delivered opening remarks. Speakers included Ronald Busby of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., Larry Gonzales of the Raben Group, Allen Gutierrez of The MCA Group, Brent Wilkes of Hispanic Federation, and Grace Koh of Ciena (moderator). Watch the replay video here.
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During Women's "Her-Story" in March, MMTC paid tribute to former and current FCC Chairs and Commissioners. Read e-blast here.
- On April 3 and 4, 2025, MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson attended the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.
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On May 20, 2025, MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson participated in a panel discussion on workforce and infrastructure strategies for expanding digital access at the Network X Americas in Dallas, Texas.
- On June 11, 2025, MMTC Policy Counsel Kenley Joseph, Virginia House of Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado, and National League of Cities Legislative Director Angelina Panettieri participated in the Beyond the ACP: Expanding Access and Building Digital Pathways for the Future panel discussion on at HTTP's Digital Innovation Summit that was held at the Pendry Hotel in Washington, DC. Brent Wilkes of the Hispanic Federation moderated the discussion.
- On June 24, 2025, MMTC Policy Counsel spoke about AI policy at the intersection of energy and telecommunications at the American Association of Blacks in Energy's Legislative Issues and Public Policy Committee meeting.
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MMTC Fellows Share Research on
Technology, Media, and Telecommunications
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MMTC legal fellows conduct research and write legal memoranda on technology, media, and telecommunications issues.
MMTC 2024 Cathy Hughes Fellow Thalia Etienne researched and wrote a memorandum that discusses the potential impact of The Loper Bright decision on telecommunications policy. Read it here.
Go here to read MMTC 2024 Henry Rivera fellow Davis Bowen's memorandum that discusses the impact of the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program and the possibility of Universal Service Fund Reform.
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1) The Algorithmic Justice League featured MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson as one of its Black History Month pioneers who are helping to create a tech future that works for all, not just the privileged few. Read more here.
2) In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, the Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation's published its inaugural (un)Hidden Figures list that celebrates women who are creating technical, research, and policy breakthroughs in AI. The list categorizes these leaders into three groups: AI Liberators, AI Griots, and AI Policy Influencers.
MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson was named an AI Griot. An AI Griot carries on the tradition of storytelling by leveraging their research and policy expertise to create narratives of AI use along a continuum of use cases, including AI use by global majority countries or the linguistic nuances in large language models. Read more here.
3) In March, The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. honored MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson as one of their 2025 Power 50 Women of Influence (see photo of Dr. Wilson and Ronald Busby, President, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.) Read more here.
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MMTC Fellow & Staff Alumni News | | |
Former MMTC Tech & Telecom Policy Counsel Danielle A. Davis, Director of Technology Policy at Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, recently completed the AI and the Law: Navigating the New Legal Landscape Executive Education Program at Harvard Law School. Davis also served as an MMTC 2018-2019 Earle K. Moore fellow.
In June, she convened a salon dinner hosted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, that brought scholars, advocates, and industry leaders together to discuss Section 230 and what’s at stake for Black communities.
Make sure you tune into her new podcast, The Miseducation of Technology. In the debut episode, she gives an overview of how AI systems, social media platforms, and internet infrastructure are not just flawed, but are shaped by flawed data and human decisions. Listen here.
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Julian Harrison, former MMTC 2016 Earle K. Moore fellow, recently received the Volunteer Recognition Award at the Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation's annual luncheon. Currently, Harrison works as a Senior Policy Counsel at Tencent America.
| | Learn About Recent Initiatives by Charter Communications, Comcast, CTIA, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, T-Mobile, and Verizon | |
Click here to read Charter Communications' blog, St. Louis Arc Connects Adaptive Technology Through Spectrum Digital Education.
Go here to read new research from Urban Institute's study, "Expanding Digital Opportunity: Charting a Path toward Full Inclusion,” that is supported by Comcast.
CTIA recently held its 2025 5G Summit that fostered discussion of how continued 5G leadership, and a pipeline of full-power, licensed spectrum is key to America’s ongoing innovation leadership, and economic competitiveness. Watch the video recordings here.
Go here to read NCTA - The Internet & Television Association's blog, Broadband Stats: Celebrating Wi-Fi with the World.
Starting July 17th, high schools in towns less than 150,000 population will have the chance to win $5,000 every week through T-Mobile's $5K Friday. Learn more here.
Verizon recently announced a $5 billion commitment to continue investing in America and supporting small businesses. Learn more here.
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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 tech, media, and telecom (TMT) industries, and closing the digital divide on behalf of its members and constituents, including owners of radio and television broadcast stations, programmers, prospective station owners, and others involved in the TMT industries.
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.
About MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers
MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers was founded in 1997 by communications lawyer David Honig. He is also one of the co-founders of our parent organization, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC).
MMTC Brokers is the nation's only minority owned brokerage firm. Our goal is to open up opportunity for media ownership for all minorities. We have been working in the media brokerage space for more than 23 years and are involved in all aspects of radio, television, towers & telecom. We are widely recognized for our work on behalf of minorities and women to gain ownership. Our commitment to this cause includes every aspect of a transaction, including:
- Business planning
- Coaching new entrants
- Market research
- Assisting with due diligence
- Best practices for negotiation
We pride ourselves as being the conduit that connects the buyer and the seller. Our role is to bring two parties together and assist each of them to view a potential transaction from a wider perspective. Our goal is to make is sure each party will come to terms to paper a deal and see it through to a successful closing.
For more information, contact Suzanne Gougherty at sgougherty@mmtconline.org.
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