Leaders in Literacy | durhamliteracy

The Durham Literacy Center hosted the 2021 e-Leaders in Literacy Breakfast, a virtual fundraising event, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 8:00-9:00 a.m.

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Featuring:

A celebration of the resilience and achievements of DLC’s students and our impact during the pandemic
A discussion of digital equity and inclusion disparities within our community and how these gaps impact learning in the 21st Century
An update on remote instruction during COVID-19 and the DLC’s pandemic response
Recognition of this year’s Leader in Literacy Award winner, Dr. Bart Ehrman

The Durham Literacy Center has provided tuition-free instruction to over 18,000 adults in Durham since 1985. Our programs help adults ages 16+ improve their reading, writing, math, and English language skills, and gain the credentials they need to move on to the next stages of their educational and career journeys. Over the last year, all our programs have shifted to remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in our organization’s 35-year history.

Watch the recording to learn more about how we plan to build on the successes of the last year to meet increased need and help our students and community get back on their feet post-pandemic.

Panel Discussion: Digital Equity & Inclusion

How do digital inclusion and racial equity intersect? What digital access gaps exist locally, and how do these gaps impact low-income communities and communities of color? How has the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the “digital divide?” And how can we work together as a community to close these gaps?

Moderator: Gwenn Weaver

Gwenn Weaver serves on the boards of the Durham Literacy Center and the National Coalition for Literacy, works with Digital Durham, acts as an advisor to the North Carolina Digital Equity and Inclusion Collaborative and participates in a state-wide project devoted to digital skill building. Since retiring from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), she performed work as an independent consultant for the Digital US Coalition, American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), and other organizations. She continues to work with the Committee on Literacy of ALA, and is a member of the steering committee of the Open Door Collective (ODC).

Speaker: Amy Huffman

Amy Huffman is a public servant, systems thinker, innovative policy expert and a storyteller with a passion for closing the digital divide and ensuring all Americans can thrive in the 21st century’s digital world. Amy has studied and worked in the digital inclusion field for ten years and currently serves as Policy Director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Prior to joining NDIA, Amy served as the State of North Carolina’s first digital inclusion and policy manager for the Broadband Infrastructure Office, a Division of the Department of Information Technology. Amy’s interest in technology spans beyond broadband, for several years she was a freelance writer and consultant, contributing to tech-focused publications where she covered North Carolina’s startup ecosystem and the startups, people, and organizations that contribute to it. Amy holds a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Speaker: Kweli Rashied-Henry

Kweli Rashied-Henry (she, her) is the Racial Equity Officer for Durham County Government. In this inaugural role, she works to advance racial equity by upholding principles of equity across all facets of local government. Kweli has served under-resourced communities for over 20 years using intergenerational practices of well-being to drive impact in academia, community-based organizations, healthcare organizations and government. Kweli holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Bennett College, a Master of Public Health from Emory University and is a candidate for the Doctor of Public Health from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Speaker: Seth Ervin

Seth Ervin is the Chief Innovation Officer for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. He leads the Innovation activities for the Library in his role, seeking to pioneer new avenues for the library to remain essential within the digital information ecosystem of the Charlotte community. Interests and focuses include digital equity, local/community journalism, customer and community engagement, service design, and disruptive technologies. In addition, Seth serves as the current convenor of the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance (CDIA). The CDIA is a volunteer coalition of institutions and non-profit organizations committed to eliminating the digital divide in Mecklenburg County.