IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration)

Hi, let us re-introduce ourselves. ?? You’ve known us all this time as the Digital Equity Institute – but that’s about to change. Starting today, we are officially IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration)! This is a big stride in growing our organization and impact. We’re building on the solid foundation we’ve built across communities while looking ahead with a clearer, more cohesive vision of who we are. In addition to the new name, our brand update includes: ? A new logo, which illustrates our community-centered approach with open circles and pathways. ? An updated color palette that reflects the vibrant and diverse community we serve. ? A new boilerplate description to clearly articulate our mission and vision. ? A drastically improved website serving as the central hub for everything we do. We look forward to continuing our work with a refreshed identity that truly represents who we are and what we stand for. Thank you for being part of our journey to a more digitally inclusive future! Explore our new website and learn more about our changes: https://lnkd.in/gVCpbG-q

We had such a great time at the Festival in Superior this weekend with Moxie, our Mobile Hive! It was the perfect chance to hang out with the community, celebrate, and invite everyone to check out the new Hive location just up the street. It was great to hear so many stories from folks already using the space—older adults loving the VR, kids (and adults!) learning the software and building cool stuff on the 3D printers, people coding, and others using the tech and internet for everyday things. The energy was real, the food was delicious, and it’s so clear how much this space already means to the community. One of my favorite parts of the day was meeting an 84 year-old gentleman named Bill. He took his last programming class in 1986. He went on to open an appliance store and do a variety of work but yesterday was the first time since then he’d used robotics and coding! Thanks, Superior, for making us feel so welcome. We’re excited to keep showing up and building with you! IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) Superior Enterprise Center Mila Besich Arlynn Godinez @manny Derek Masseth Diana M. Bowman Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Luis Angel Morfin Angel Preciado Nick Orciuolo Jay Carr @daniel bowman #impact #tech #connectivity #skills #community #education #workforce #collaboration

Our team had an incredible time at Connected this week! We loved the opportunity to bring Moxie out to meet with city and state leaders and showcase what’s possible when technology, creativity, and community come together. One of the highlights? Helping Mayor Kate Gallego fine-tune her robotics skills—and score her very first tech soccer goal! We’re grateful to be part of building a more connected, inclusive, and innovative future for Arizona. Diana M. Bowman Derek Masseth Beatriz Rivera @alejandra trujillo Dean Duncan Ben Williams Luis Angel Morfin Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Michael Hammett Steen Hambric Richard McHattie Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) #DigitalInclusion #TechForGood #ConnectedAZ #IDIA #CommunityTech #MoxieInAction #InnovationForAll #navigators #digitalinclusion #tech #skills #workforce

This was one of those amazing weeks. It felt like it was moving at the speed of light. We ran Changemaker Camp across our Hive ecosystem inviting kids from each of the neighborhoods we serve to come in and spend a week exploring technology and bringing their big ideas to life. It was an incredible success and the team loved every minute. We can’t wait to run it again in summer. ?? While our brilliant digital navigators were hard at work, the rest of the team was getting ready to open another Hive!!! Next week, we stand up our newest location in Mesa. I’m from Mesa so that one feels a little bit like coming home. Because we’re huge fans of doing ALL the things- this week we also held a huge device distribution and online safely class in Avondale, had Moxie out for 2 days at a festival, enrolled 45 kiddos in our behavioral telehealth program, and ran the 2nd of three telehealth classes for seniors at CASS. We helped multiple people get jobs and earn certificates. ? It was our first full week of operations in Superior. The site was busy every day- so busy that they are installing a bike rack for all the kids who are riding their bikes to the site. We learned we are a finalist for an IDC award and this week alone, we reached nearly 15k people. As we head into the weekend, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you. This is digital inclusion. People are accessing, participating, and benefiting from education, workforce opportunities, and healthcare. This work is the most beautiful and rewarding chaos, and I am tremendously grateful for my team, our partners, and the community we have the privilege of serving. IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) Derek Masseth Diana M. Bowman Annissa Furr Ph.D. Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Luis Angel Morfin Josh Thompson Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA Francisco Esteves Lhamo C.M. @Robert Richardson Tyle Clement Nick Orciuolo Manwe Castro Beatriz Rivera Austin Villas Kenjie Zorilla Kayzel Zorilla @Alejandra Trujillo Jay Carr Cristian Jeffries Angel Preciado Isaac Rodriguez Hunter Amerine Gloria Marquez @sammie Gutierrez #impact #tech #skills #education #workforce #connectivity #rural #community #collaboration

It was great to celebrate the opening of The Hive by IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) and its partnership with Child Crisis Arizona. They offer free, high-speed Internet, virtual reality, 3-D printers, podcasting, equipment, robotics, and Apple devices. Free workshops for all ages and skill levels. No reservations needed. Maricopa County is extremely proud to invest in this amazing venture. It was great to see Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Congrats to these great leaders, Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D., Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA, Torrie Taj, CFRE.

BREAKING: Arizona’s most innovative vehicle is not a self-driving car… it’s a public service powerhouse on wheels. (Juuust kidding my Waymo friends!) That’s right, IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration)’s Mobile Hive is revving up for CONNECTED 2025 on March 27th at Venture Café Phoenix, and we’re bringing the digital heat. This isn’t just a van. It’s a WiFi-wielding, resume-boosting, skills-training beast built to close the digital divide one community at a time. It’s got more impact than your group chat and better bandwidth than your office Zoom call. We’ll be showcasing it alongside an all-star lineup of city leaders and civic innovators (aka all my brilliant friends) who are proving that local government knows how to get things done...and have fun doing it. So if you're curious what happens when a tech lab meets a tour bus, and you're in the mood for bold ideas, caffeinated conversation, and a sneak peek into the future of digital access...come check out the Mobile Hive in action. It’s part innovation, part inspiration, and all about impact. ?? March 27th ?? Venture Café Phoenix ?? 3:30 – 7:00 PM ?? https://lnkd.in/ep7HyNKd See you there! Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Luis Angel Morfin Steen Hambric Richard McHattie Michael Hammett Kerstin Nold, MBA, PMP Eugene Mejia Harry Meier Brent Stockwell Bianca Lochner, Ph.D. Jared Morris Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD Justin Fair Ben Williams Dean Duncan Jacob Taylor Daver Malik C.M., ACE #SmartRegions #DigitalInclusion #SmartCities #Connected2025 #FutureofWork #WorkforceDevelopment

We were back at it last night with our friends from AMS for a family device distribution! I love seeing the smiles on the kiddos faces! Diana M. Bowman Derek Masseth Luis Angel Morfin Annissa Furr Ph.D. Beatriz Rivera @Alejandra Trujillo #impact #inlcusion #education #tech #skills

Exciting News: The Hive at CCAZ Mesa is Open! ?? Today marks a huge milestone as we officially open the doors to the #Hive at?CCAZ Mesa, our newest location, right in the heart of the city! Embedded in the?Child Crisis Arizona Family and Wellness Center, this space is more than just a tech hub—it’s a place where opportunities take shape and futures are built. At?CCAZ Mesa, the community has access to everything IDIA offers: ?? Access the latest tech ?? Learn and grow digital skills ?? Update your resume, search for jobs, access pathways ?? Create digital art, make music, film a commercial, or even start a podcast ?? Launch your entrepreneurial journey ?? Finish homework, earn a credential, take a training ?? Access healthcare resources ?? Use high-speed and reliable internet ?? Get tech support and help finding critical resources …and so much more! At CCAZ, we join a cadre of organizations working collectively to make life better for the community. We are excited to be part of the team. A huge?thank you?to?Torrie Taj, CFRE, CEO of Child Crisis Arizona, Thomas Galvin Chairman from Maricopa County, and Mayor Mark Freeman from the City of Mesa?for joining us last night to celebrate and cut the ribbon. Your leadership and commitment to the community make spaces like this possible! Doors are open?starting today—stop by, explore, and be part of something truly transformational! ?? #CCAZMesa #DigitalInclusion #FutureReady #CommunityTech #TheHive #MesaAZ #workforcedevelopment #impact #tech #skills Derek Masseth Diana M. Bowman Lev Gonick Richard McHattie Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Annissa Furr Ph.D. Josh Thompson Luis Angel Morfin EJ Hughes Rolando Alvarez Francisco Esteves Lhamo C.M. @Robert Richardson Austin Villas Jay Carr Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA Will Novak IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) Maricopa County City of Mesa Sun Corridor Network Technology at Arizona State University

The Hive network is buzzing! ?? Our next stop is the City of Mesa, home to over 500,000 people and the third-largest city in Arizona. Today, we’re cutting the ribbon at this brand-new Hive located at Child Crisis Arizona. This will be our seventh permanent location and, like all other Hives, fully equipped for digital access, learning, and innovation. The Mesa Hive will serve community members of all ages with access to high-speed internet, 3D printing, virtual reality, podcasting tools, and more. Visitors will have hands-on opportunities to build skills and receive technology support from Digital Navigators as they explore new tools and connect with opportunities for economic mobility. Come see us at the grand opening ceremony! ?? ?? Location: Child Crisis Arizona Center for Child & Family Wellness (424 W. Rio Salado Parkway) ? Time: 4:30 - 6:00 PM MST (Doors open at 4:00 PM) ??? All ages welcome | Free event | Free parking Learn more: https://lnkd.in/guHAWnwH #DigitalInclusion #CommunityImpact #DigitalEquity Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. Diana M. Bowman Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA

This was one of those amazing weeks. It felt like it was moving at the speed of light. We ran Changemaker Camp across our Hive ecosystem inviting kids from each of the neighborhoods we serve to come in and spend a week exploring technology and bringing their big ideas to life. It was an incredible success and the team loved every minute. We can’t wait to run it again in summer. ?? While our brilliant digital navigators were hard at work, the rest of the team was getting ready to open another Hive!!! Next week, we stand up our newest location in Mesa. I’m from Mesa so that one feels a little bit like coming home. Because we’re huge fans of doing ALL the things- this week we also held a huge device distribution and online safely class in Avondale, had Moxie out for 2 days at a festival, enrolled 45 kiddos in our behavioral telehealth program, and ran the 2nd of three telehealth classes for seniors at CASS. We helped multiple people get jobs and earn certificates. ? It was our first full week of operations in Superior. The site was busy every day- so busy that they are installing a bike rack for all the kids who are riding their bikes to the site. We learned we are a finalist for an IDC award and this week alone, we reached nearly 15k people. As we head into the weekend, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you. This is digital inclusion. People are accessing, participating, and benefiting from education, workforce opportunities, and healthcare. This work is the most beautiful and rewarding chaos, and I am tremendously grateful for my team, our partners, and the community we have the privilege of serving. IDIA (Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration) Derek Masseth Diana M. Bowman Annissa Furr Ph.D. Stephanie LaBorde Dreux Luis Angel Morfin Josh Thompson Dominic Papa, Esq., MPA Francisco Esteves Lhamo C.M. @Robert Richardson Tyle Clement Nick Orciuolo Manwe Castro Beatriz Rivera Austin Villas Kenjie Zorilla Kayzel Zorilla @Alejandra Trujillo Jay Carr Cristian Jeffries Angel Preciado Isaac Rodriguez Hunter Amerine Gloria Marquez @sammie Gutierrez #impact #tech #skills #education #workforce #connectivity #rural #community #collaboration