By Emeka Ugwu

We stand at a pivotal point. Technological advancements are transforming our world, facilitating a wealth creation potential of a staggering $7 trillion. Yet, amidst this progress, a critical question lingers: who benefits? With a mere 3.7% representation in tech roles despite making up 14% of the overall population, the Black community risks being left behind at this critical inflection point. This digital divide threatens to further widen the racial wealth gap, potentially adding $43 billion to the chasm between Black and White households in the next two decades. Alarmingly, 70% of Black Americans report feeling unprepared with digital skills, hindering their employability in the jobs of the future.

A web of systemic disadvantages fuels the digital literacy divide for Black communities. This divide encompasses three key aspects: access to the internet, ownership of computing devices, and the necessary digital skills to navigate the online world. The data paints a sobering picture – a consistent gap separates Black and White Americans across all aspects.  The chart below showcases a stark reality – a 15% gap in broadband access, and a 27% gap in digital skills proficiency between the two demographics.

At the heart of this divide lies connectivity. Broadband access, in 2024, should be considered a fundamental right, especially for K-12 students. Success in education and finance hinges on a reliable internet connection. Yet, approximately 40% of Black American households lack high-speed broadband compared to 28% of White households. The elevated cost of high speed internet (relative to global averages) and  credit-based discrimination contribute to lower adoption rates within the Black community. Furthermore, a practice known as digital redlining – where slower speeds are offered in Black communities due to underinvestment in infrastructure worsens the disparities.

The consequences extend far beyond statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly revealed the human cost of the digital divide. We saw black Americans dying at twice the rate of the white population. While these disparities were driven by multiple factors, we now understand that lack of broadband access translated to a higher risk of death during the pandemic. The world shifted rapidly towards remote and digital health care overnight, despite the great inequality in digital and online access across communities. 

Three years later, the divide persists, and efforts like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to bridge it are under threat of defunding or have been defunded already. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being rolled back across various sectors removing equitable access and hiring practices that would help to ease the gap.

Building a More Equitable Digital Landscape

The path forward demands a shift in mindset – a commitment to digital equity and inclusion in both public and private spheres. The first step is acknowledging the problem. DEI shouldn't be a mere buzzword, but a driving force behind concrete actions and programs. Developments such as the disbanding of the US house's office of diversity and inclusion should be called exactly what they are - a backlash against the progress our society has made in diversifying our major institutions. Initiatives like Maryland's plan to ensure "universal broadband to everyone, in every single corner of the state" by 2025 should serve as a national model. 

Affordability is paramount for our communities. Programs like the ACP must be preserved and expanded. Additionally, deliberate efforts must be taken to penalize discrimination in access to internet services. The latest rules from the FCC that would empower the agency to tackle instances of discrimination by broadband providers to different communities are a step toward the goal of equity..

We must also leverage emerging technologies to close these gaps. Satellite based internet technology such as Starlink could be a useful tool in closing the infrastructure gap. Generative AI and the rise of massive open online courses (MOOCs) like Coursera have the potential to democratize education, especially in key domains such as cyber security and artificial intelligence with lower barriers to entry compared to traditional universities. Notably, Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to be enrolled in online schools (23%) compared to traditional colleges (12%). However, actualizing this potential requires a concerted effort from corporations to diversify their hiring practices and move beyond traditional four-year degrees from elite universities. 

A brighter, digital Future

The digital divide stands as a formidable obstacle, but it is not insurmountable. By acknowledging the challenges, harnessing the power of technology for good, and fostering a culture of inclusion, we can bridge this gap and empower Black communities to thrive in the digital age. Together, let's unlock the full potential of technology to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.