According to a 2020 survey of Texas educators, one in every six Texas public school students does not have access to high-speed internet. Lack of access to high-speed internet can cause students to struggle with digital learning - an issue known as the homework gap.

Studies suggest that having greater diversity on corporate boards leads to better business outcomes. Despite these studies, there are an underrepresentation of minorities in the tech industry, and executives in corporate positions are considering apprenticeships to bridge the gap. Apprenticeships are meant to teach people the skills they need for work with little to no debt from getting a college degree.

The United States Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to impose limits upon power plant greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the Financial Times, the share of financial service employees who identify as Black has been decreasing over time. Research shows that Black individuals account for 13% of all finance staff, but in the highest level jobs in the industry, they are the only demographic whose share fell to 2.62 percent from 2.87 percent from 2018 to 2007.

Watch the featured book talk on our book of the month.

When you know better you have to speak up. Watch as our Executive Director Rudy Metayer co-moderates this event with the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas on the implications of CRT Legislation in Texas.

For all Texans, broadband is an essential part of everyday life. From students doing homework to adults looking for jobs, every aspect of our world today has been touched by the internet. The pandemic has further shown that how we work, shop, bank or attend medical appointments is dependent on broadband service. Now more than ever, it is apparent that all Texans need affordable and reliable high-speed internet.

Digital inclusion, or the effort to ensure that all communities can access and afford reliable, high-speed internet and have the technology equipment and know-how to use it, is multi-pronged. It depends not only on infrastructure deployment, but also on efforts relating to broadband affordability, digital literacy skills training, access to appropriate internet-enabled devices, and technical support. State support and local innovations based on local needs and resources are both necessary to close the divide.

Watch our discussion on the current state of broadband and computer access, adoption, and affordability in Texas, and policy responses that will help close the digital divide in our state.

On Monday, April 26th The Texas Black Caucus Foundation and The University of Texas Law School Civil Rights Clinic released their joint Planning for Digital Inclusion in Texas report. It emphasizes recommendations for the Texas Legislature and the anticipated state broadband office to prioritize digital equity and remove barriers to broadband access for not only people of color but for low income and rural communities across Texas.

When Rep. Ana Hernandez asked if I would testify on HB 2714, implicit bias CLE training for judges and lawyers in the State of Texas, not only was I honored to do so, but proud to see the reaction from Chair Leach and the entire committee to the bill.