Community Connected Through The AB617 Community Forums Series
- akinahuey
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Over the past few months, Tech Exchange in partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), RCF Connects, and Youth Uprising co-hosted three (3) community forums bringing together residents, local leaders, and advocates to confront a critical but often overlooked form of injustice: the digital divide.
Held across Richmond, East Oakland, and West Oakland, these gatherings spotlighted the urgent need for equitable broadband access, affordable devices, and digital skills training. For many families, the absence of reliable broadband or a working device is not just an inconvenience, it’s a barrier to upward mobility and basic quality of life.
What is the AB617 Communities Empowerment Project?
The AB617 Communities Empowerment Project is an initiative that combines environmental justice and digital equity. Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission and led by the CETF, the project brings affordable internet access and free digital literacy training to communities that need it most -all while supporting air quality and environmental goals.
Did You Know?
According to the CETF 2023 Statewide Survey, approximately 13% of households in AB617 Communities (like Richmond, East Oakland, and West Oakland) remain unconnected. But what does that really mean?
Being “unconnected” means more than lacking Wi-Fi - it means being cut off from opportunities for education, employment, telehealth, civic engagement, and more.
The AB617 Communities Empowerment Project exists to change that. By providing affordable broadband options, digital literacy training, and local tech support, we’re working together to ensure every household has the tools to thrive in a connected world.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Key Note Speakers And Panelist
We were honored to be joined by a powerful lineup of local leaders who used their platforms to amplify the urgent need for digital equity and community-driven solutions.
We thank them for speaking boldly and supporting the mission to connect underserved communities with the resources they need to thrive. Their commitment to equity, innovation, and community empowerment sets the tone for the work ahead.
Raffle Winners
One of the highlights of each forum was seeing raffle winners walk away with refurbished chromebooks and a TV! These giveaways weren’t just prizes, they were pathways to connection, education, and empowerment. Congratulations to all our raffle winners!
Why These Conversations Matter
These forums weren’t just about raising awareness, they were about listening, responding, and building pathways forward. In response, community-based organizations, policymakers, and tech advocates came together to strategize around infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy.
Tech Exchange's Ongoing Commitment
At every event, Tech Exchange shared vital information about low-cost internet programs and free digital literacy training.
We are committed to:
Expanding access to affordable, high-speed broadband
Getting devices into the homes of those who need them most
Providing culturally responsive digital literacy training
Collaborating with community partners to deliver lasting impact
Our mission is grounded in the belief that technology is a right, not a privilege, and that every person deserves the tools to learn, work, and lead in today’s digital society.
Moving Forward
We’re incredibly grateful to our partners - CETF, RCF Connects, and Youth Uprising, for helping make these forums possible and for being unwavering champions of digital equity. Together, we’re creating stronger, more connected communities.
To our keynote speakers, volunteers, forum attendees, and community leaders: thank you for showing up, speaking up, and continuing the fight for digital justice.
The community forums were just the beginning. In the next several months, Tech Exchange and CETF will work closely to train and work with Digital navigators in the Oakland and Richmond Communities to get unconnected households connected to the internet. Stay tuned for updates!
To learn more about digital equity and resources like digital literacy training or assistance with enrolling in an Internet Service Plan from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), click here.
With gratitude,
The Tech Exchange Team
