Alliance for Digital Equality moving forward in 2010
The Alliance for Digital Equality, a Speedmatters partner, has appointed former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as Senior Adviser and announced another Digital Empowerment Summit.
Franklin will be responsible for advising the Chairman and strengthening the organization's programs to ensure equal access to technology in un-served and underserved communities.
The first female mayor of Atlanta — and the first African American woman to serve as major of a major Southern city — Franklin served two terms in office ending in January 2010.
ADE also announced that on Friday, April 23, it will be bringing policymakers, thought leaders and the media together for the Newark Digital Empowerment Summit entitled, "Broadband: Closing The Economic Divide." The event will feature Newark Mayor Corey Booker, a rising political star. More details can be found on ADE's website.
ADE Chairman Julius Hollis noted the importance of Franklin's appointment:
At this critical time in the telecommunications industry, we are especially pleased to have Shirley on board. As we look forward to the ways that we can work with Congress and the FCC to achieve President Obama's goal of universal broadband access, I am confident that Shirley will be a tremendous asset in ensuring that America's communities of color are empowered on a variety of policy, economic and cultural issues during one of the most significant transformative periods in our society fueled by the Digital Revolution.
Franklin currently holds the position of William and Camille Cosby Professorship at Spelman College in Atlanta and serves on the board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
ADE strives to act as a bridge between policymakers in Washington and underserved communities on forming legislation that helps to bring new technology, such as high-speed Internet, to all Americans.
Alliance for Digital Equality Selects Former Mayor Shirley Franklin as Senior Advisor (ADE)
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