Charter Communications, Inc., the company behind Spectrum, has awarded $75,000 in Spectrum Digital Education grants to five Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations. The funding is part of the company’s ongoing effort to expand digital literacy and improve educational access in underserved communities.

Since the program’s launch in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $11 million to nonprofits across its 41-state service area. The initiative promotes digital inclusion through training, equipment and educational support.

“Connectivity is the foundation for meaningful learning, professional growth and human connection,” said John Higgins, Regional Vice President for Spectrum. “Spectrum Digital Education supports programs that empower community members to enhance their lives with connectivity.”

This year, 66 organizations nationwide received a 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant, including five in Northeast Ohio:

Louisville Urban League Young Professionals (Louisville, KY) hosted a workshop to introduce students to Black tech professionals.

Students, young adults and parents gathered on Saturday, May 10 for the Future Forward: Tech Career Pop-Up. It’s also been dubbed a ‘miracle territory.’

“That was the word of today, which is where you take the opportunity to put yourself in a room that’s going to introduce you to people that could transform the trajectory of your life,” said Gregory Mitchell, the vice president of Louisville Urban League Young Professionals.

Two tech professionals were invited to the event to share their journeys, discuss their ventures and give advice. One of them was Louisville native Ricky Mason, the CEO of BrainSTEM and Kentucky Agritech.

“Today’s event was awesome,” Mason said. “It’s amazing whenever I get the chance to talk to young people about their career, their purpose and being intentional about their lives.”

The Urban League of Greater Madison (Madison, WI) held its 14th annual Excellence in Workforce and Economic Development May 6 at the Monona Community and Convention Center.

The summit is a day-long venture that bridges attendees with speakers and workshops in issues in economics, workforce and community development. Its larger goal is to push a collective effort to advance talent, opportunity and growth through experts in various careers like business, tech, human resources, consulting and many more.

“The energy in the room, the exchange of ideas and the collective commitment to making a difference, has truly been uplifting. This has just been a very impactful day,” said Dr. Ruben Anthony, CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison. “These types of gatherings remind us of our shared vision and our collective strengths that we bring to the table. There were so many good things brought out today that I think we can take away with us.

We appreciate you! This Mother’s Day, we celebrate all moms + mother figures whose love, support, and wisdom help uplift our communities. | Black history cannot be erased. See how our upcoming Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem defies Trump’s crusade to rewrite American history. | Remembering George Floyd. Join us virtually as we release a new report about where we stand today after the mass racial uprisings of 2020. | A high honor. Congratulations to our President & CEO Marc H. Morial, who received the Visionary of Tomorrow Award from the Wall Street Alphas in NYC! | Hands Off Our History! The Blacksonian is too valuable to lose—that’s why we took action with the Freedom to Learn coalition. See how we united to protect it. | The power of Black women. Come learn from advocate and strategist Jotaka Eaddy, who is an unstoppable force in our shared fight for justice & opportunity. | Remembering Pope Francis. With a new Pope selected, reflect on how Pope Francis’ advocacy for social & economic justice positively impacted people. | A career in construction. Read more about our participants in the Urban Construction Jobs Program and their journeys into apprenticeships.

With a new Pope selected, reflect on how Pope Francis’ advocacy for social & economic justice positively impacted people.