Saluting Military Veterans and Local Heroes Serving our Communities
Sandeep Taxali
25+ years in designing and implementing large-scale programs and initiatives that bring together federal/state governments, NGOs, industry & IGOs to foster socioeconomic development (focus on bridging the digital divide)
On most Sunday mornings, I watch the news shows. Guests on yesterday's Face the Nation included Representatives Rep. Mike Waltz (R) and Rep. Pat Ryan?(D), two former combat veterans whom I salute for their honorable service, along with all our past and living veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The elected members of Congress discussed several themes, including programs to support veterans. They also discussed the need for greater leadership in Congress, which they noted can be heightened by military and other such types of national service – e.g., working with national parks, inner city tutoring, elderly care, etc. I especially respect these two combat veterans for highlighting other forms of service, which cannot compare to military service in terms of the dangers, loss of life, and physical and mental wounds that contribute to thousands of suicides each year. Nevertheless, such forms of service are noble and warrant our respect and attention.
During their discussion, I thought about Dwaine Venton and Pamesha Robinson, two Digital Community Navigators whom I met a few weeks ago in Chicago. They are part of a federal grant-funded pilot program that aims to increase broadband adoption for vulnerable, low-income population segments that lack home connectivity, devices (laptops/tablets), and/or digital skills to engage in meaningful usage. Targeted segments include returning citizens, migrants, single parents, unemployed mid-career professionals, and small businesses lacking an online presence -- across several Chicago neighborhoods on the west and south sides.
The Navigators foster household broadband adoption through advancing four critical skills: a) basic digital literacy (e.g., introduction to devices, broadband technologies, and popular applications); b) digital citizenship (e.g., online safety, privacy management, responsible social media practices, etc.); c) online resources and tools (e.g., food support, education, employment, food support, healthcare, childcare, government benefits, etc.); d) Internet subscription/enrollment and device purchase (e.g., introduction to service plans, government subsidy programs, community resources, and enrollment support). In addition, the Navigators will help local small businesses develop online commerce literacy (e.g., using social media to promote awareness).
I am incredibly proud of this program for several reasons. First, it takes place in my original hometown, where I was also born— Chicago. Second, I had the privilege to co-lead a tiger team to develop the grant proposal that funded Mr. Venton, Ms. Robinson, and about a dozen such navigators -- back in October/November 2021.
The grant stems from the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Program?at NTIA. The project, which we titled “The ABELINC Community Navigator program,” involves hiring full-time navigators and student navigators affiliated with Chicago State University and Northeastern University.?
Since 2020, I have been working with the Illinois Office of Broadband (and remain engaged), where I help design and launch broadband funding programs for infrastructure investment. Nevertheless, my prior career at NTIA enabled me to develop a compelling strategy to foster adoption and meaningful usage – especially for returning citizens (a group that I ensured received attention during my development of the National Research Agenda for Broadband - https://www.ntia.gov/report/2017/national-broadband-research-agenda-key-priorities-broadband-research-and-data).
Moreover, my role in this CMC grant proposal involved strategic planning, project management, interpretation of complex NTIA rules, drafting several sections of the proposal, and integrating feedback and substance from the broader team. Our team included experts across academia, non-profit, and government.
The project received a $3.2 million award in February 2023 and started recruiting navigators earlier this year. These everyday heroes wake up each morning to make a difference in households facing all sorts of social and economic distress in neighborhoods rife with crime and poverty.
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I thank Matt Schmit and Jeannette Tamayo for inviting me to join that amazing team and for providing valuable leadership throughout the process. I salute my fellow co-lead, Tom Suzinksi, who provided deep technical expertise regarding the curriculum and anticipated outcomes of this project. It was a labor of love and one of several professional highlights of my career.
I have been involved in telecom/media policy since I attended the Kennedy School and my early career at the FCC. After a decade in telecom corporate strategy, I joined the NTIA (2009-2017) to set up the BTOP program, which encompassed the single largest programs for broadband infrastructure, public computer centers, and sustainable broadband adoption -- at the time. After 2.5 years in the LEO satellite sector, I have mostly been involved with the broadband offices in New Mexico and Illinois since 2020. I have designed and launched grant programs to enable rural deployment of broadband infrastructure supported by over $500 million in public funding and leveraged by $150+ million in private funding. I have also supported UNICEF's efforts around the GIGA-school initiative, and supported other organizations (domestic and international) to jumpstart Internet access to the most rural communities.
While many debate the role of government in industry and society, it cannot be disputed that investments in broadband infrastructure, digital training programs, and price subsidy support programs advance social and economic progress. The debate should focus on how to most effectively design and implement complex programs.
On that point, I helped prepare the Three-Year Strategic Plan in New Mexico over the last two years. The cover letter to that Plan, which I helped draft along with our Acting Broadband Director in New Mexico, Drew Lovelace, emphasized the imperative to shift the debate from “what is the role of government” to “how government can efficiently and effectively work with stakeholders to drive impactful, sustainable change.”
Dwaine Venton and Pamesha Robinson, and their daily community service, constitute the best living examples of the latter.
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