As of late May, the Digital JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Consortium’s Digital Navigators (DNs) have served 3,254 community members and responded to 8,289 service requests since launching in 2023 with funding from the Mass Broadband Institute (MBI).
The consortium works to close digital equity gaps in workforce and career development for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrant, and low-income communities across Metro North and the North Shore by expanding access to digital support, device distribution, and digital literacy training.
The Consortium has supported 1,165 basic, 427 intermediate, and 149 advanced digital literacy graduates, with courses including Windows/Office 101, Advanced Excel, IT support, UI/UX design, and Front-End Web Development. Thanks to our partner La Colaborativa in Chelsea, MNWB recently hosted the JEDI Digital Inclusion Solutionsevent, recognizing the partners driving this work and challenging Digital Navigators to identify digital inclusion gaps, design solutions, and pitch their ideas to a live audience.
The DNs presented the following solutions:
- InterGen Nexus: A trusted intergenerational support network pairing Everett seniors who need digital assistance with vetted high school volunteers. Presenters: Destiny Martinez & Gustavo Aguiar (City of Everett)
Presenters: Destiny Martinez & Gustavo Aguiar
- La Colaborativa Te Conecta: A mobile application where community members can access information from all departments in one centralized location. Through the app, residents would be able to learn about programs, check event dates, register for classes and workshops, and connect to departments like economic mobility, food & nutrition, youth services, health equity, civic engagement, and triage. Presenters: Nelson Josue Montesinos & Catherine Torres (La Colaborativa)
Presenters: Nelson Montesinos & Catherine Torres
- Interprivo: An AI-powered social impact platform where attendees scan a QR code, select their preferred language, and instantly receive real-time audio interpretation and text captions through their own devices and earbuds.Presenter: Andres Martinez Chavez (Pathways, Inc.)
Presenter: Andres Martinez Chavez
- Flex Digital Hub: A flexible learning platform that makes digital education simple, welcoming, and accessible. Learners can study at their own pace, access multilingual content, attend remote or hybrid sessions, and receive support from Digital Navigators as needed. Presenter: Otto Hernandez (Wellspring House)
Presenter: Otto Hernandez
- Silver Browse: A senior-friendly browser extension designed for accessibility and clarity. It simplifies confusing websites, offers customizable settings, and supports independent online navigation. Presenters: Devin Renderos & Durwin Wongwajarachot (City of Revere)
Presenters: Devin Renderos & Durwin Wongwajarachot
- Digital Skill Check: A simple 20-minute assessment tool designed to evaluate learners’ digital skills and place them at the most appropriate class level. Presenters: Clifford Lerebours & Nixon Laplante (Somerville Community Corporation (SCC))
Presenters: Clifford Lerebours & Nixon Laplante
- Cambridge Reach: A citywide partnership with the African Bridge Network, Inc. (ABN), supported by a credential-matching platform through Find It Cambridge. ABN offers multiple programs to help highly educated immigrants regain recognition of their credentials. Presenters: khalida Griffin-Shepherd, Dana Grotenstein, & Eden Wagayehu (City of Cambridge)
Presenters: Khalida Griffin, Dana Grotenstein, & Eden Wagayehu
Audience members voted on their favorite solutions, with La Colaborativa Te Conecta mobile application winning. Tied for second place were Cambridge Reach and Silver Browse.
Rachid Moukhabir (MACIR), Nelson Montesinos & Catherine Torres (La Colaborativa), Brahim Aswald
Rachid Moukhabir (MACIR), Khalida Griffin, Dana Grotenstein, & Eden Wagayehu (City of Cambridge), Devin Renderos & Durwin Wongwajarachot (City of Revere), Brahim Aswald
We look forward to seeing these innovative ideas continue to revolve and positively impact our communities.
We are grateful to all our partners, Digital Navigators, the Mass Broadband Institute (Massachusetts Technology Collaborative), MACIR for training the DNs and managing service requests (Rachid Moukhabir, MBA, PMP), and MassHire staff (Brahim Aswald) for their commitment to advancing digital equity.