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The Alliance for Digital Equality Hosts "A Gridiron Toast to Excellence"

Miami Heat superstar and philanthropist Alonzo Mourning and Julius Hollis, Chairman of The Alliance for Digital Equality at "A Gridiron Toast to Excellence," on February 5th in Miami, Florida.

The Alliance for Digital Equality Celebrates Super Bowl XLIV In Style As They Host "A Gridiron Toast to Excellence"

Honorees Included Congressmen James E. Clyburn, Tom Joyner, Debra Lee, Alonzo Mourning, Vicki Palmer, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan

MIAMI (February 8, 2010) – Julius Hollis, Earl Cummings, Sean Pittman, Daniel Halpern, Robert Shumake, Sen. Rodney Ellis, David Rivers and Art Collins, in support of The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), kicked off Super Bowl XLIV weekend in style, as they hosted a private celebration, “A Gridiron Toast to Excellence,” at the lush Mia at Biscayne on Friday, February 5, 2010. The lavish event primarily served to honor well-respected luminaries who excel in their respective fields of practice, consistently enriching the communities in which they live and work.

In the field of politics, the ADE honored U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip (SC-Dem), Congressman James E. Clyburn; in the field of media, honorees included nationally syndicated radio personality and philanthropist, Tom Joyner, as well as Chairman and CEO of BET Holdings, Debra Lee; in the field of sports/philanthropy, Miami Heat superstar and Chairman Emeritus of Alonzo Mourning Charities, Alonzo Mourning was honored; in the field of business, retired Executive Vice President of Coca-Cola, Vicki Palmer was recognized; and Miami legends, Gloria and Emilio Estefan were recognized in the field of entertainment/philanthropy.

Julius Hollis and Honoree BET CEO Debra Lee

Julius Hollis, Chairman of The Alliance for Digital Equality, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to bridge the technology divide between underserved ethnic and minority communities within the United States and the technology advanced marketplace, has staged this event since 1993 with past honorees including Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin; former Mayor of Houston, Lee P. Brown; music business pioneer and chief executive, Clarence Avant; Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, Harold Ford, Jr., real estate magnate, R. Donahue Peebles; and Ernie Greene to name only a few.

Earlier during the day of the event, ADE along with Tom Joyner and Alonzo Mourning made made a donation of 50 computers to Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City, 50 computers to Maya Angelou Elementary School in Allapattah and 100 computers to the Overtown Youth Center in Overtown.


Tracy and Alonzo Mourning; Miami Gardens mayor Shirley Gibson and Debra Lee

“I was extremely proud and honored to have been able to recognize these individuals during our 17th Annual Pre-Super Bowl celebration. It is men and women like Congressman Clyburn, Mr. Joyner, Ms. Lee, Mr. Mourning, Ms. Palmer and Mr. & Mrs. Estefan that lift up the African-American and Hispanic communities with their tireless philanthropic efforts,” stated Julius Hollis, chairman of the Alliance for Digital Equality.

Seeking to end the ever-increasing “digital divide,” the ADE is becoming the leading voice of underserved communities on matters that not only pertain to technology, but to telecommunications reform and product awareness as well. By establishing “digital empowerment councils” in cities as diverse as Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Charleston, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and Los Angeles, actively involved citizens (with sponsorship from the ADE) are able to establish local policies in regards to broadband initiatives, making sure that those living in underserved communities stay on par with technological advancements.

Former VP of Coca Cola Vicki Palmer, Debra Lee, Alonzo Mourning, Tom Joyner, and Julius Hollis

For information on The Alliance for Digital Equality, visit www.alliancefordigitalequality.org.

Source and photos: Circle of One Marketing

Legislators of Color Urge Action on Digital Divide

WASHINGTON, DC -- In conjunction with caucuses representing communities of color from several state legislatures, the Hispanic Institute has released a new report that urges lawmakers at all levels of government to expand access to high-speed internet for all Americans.

"Broadband is the best opportunity for people of color to advance in the areas of education, health care, and economic development," said Gus West, Board Chair of the Hispanic Institute. "It is imperative that leaders in these communities have a seat at the technology and telecommunications policymaking table."

The report -- "Towards Access, Adoption & Inclusion: A Call for Digital Equality and Broadband Opportunity" -- notes the persistence of a digital divide that separates people of color and low wage-earning groups from more affluent Americans. Such a divide "threatens the future sustainability of our communities and our country," the report concludes.

"Broadband can and must be a vehicle for expanded opportunity for all Americans," said study co-author Dr. Nicole Turner Lee, VP and Director, Media and Technology Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "But if we tolerate a status quo in which some Americans have broadband and some don't, the gaps that separate one American from another will become institutionalized."

According to the report, many Americans, particularly people of color, do not have access to affordable broadband options. "Policymakers must address affordability problems head-on through a combination of government initiatives, programmatic reforms, incentives for private-sector investment in broadband deployment, and public-private partnerships," said West.

"Toward Access" also warned against policies that might shift costs to the poor or over-burden low-volume broadband users with the costs of maintaining services for high-volume users.

"Ubiquitous broadband access, adoption, and use stand to be great equalizers in our society," concluded West. "Lawmakers should work to make affordable broadband access a reality nationwide."

"Towards Access, Adoption & Inclusion: A Call for Digital Equality and Broadband Opportunity" was released jointly by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, The National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, and the National Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators. The Hispanic Institute and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies provided substantive data for the report. To download a copy of the report, visit HERE.

The Hispanic Institute is a 501 (c) 3 designated nonprofit organization. The Hispanic Institute's mission is sharply focused: THI provides an effective education forum for an informed and empowered Hispanic America. The Hispanic Institute manages ongoing projects including the study of Hispanic economic contributions; media monitoring; consumer fraud protection; citizenship education; and technology and telecommunication research. www.thehispanicinstitute.net.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. The Joint Center will mark its 40th Anniversary of service in 2010. To learn more, please visit www.jointcenter.org.


Source: The Hispanic Institute