The effort was honored as a Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award finalist
The winners of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring the businesses, policies, projects, and concepts that are actively engaged and deeply committed to pursuing innovation when it comes to solving health and climate crises, social injustice, or economic inequality.
The American Connection Project was selected as a finalist in the Politics & Policy and Corporate Responsibility categories as well as an honorable mention in the Pandemic Response category.
Millions of Americans go without broadband internet access -- in both rural and urban communities. The American Connection Project fosters long-term digital inclusion in support of vibrant and thriving rural communities. Efforts include raising awareness about the critical nature of connectivity; advocating for meaningful policy reform and broadband investment; and, taking decisive action to provide connectivity options where they’re needed most.
Over the past year, supporting ACP organizations have taken action, such as turning on free, public Wi-Fi at over 3,000 locations in 49 states.
The American Connection Project Policy Coalition officially launched in July 2020, a group that has now grown to more than 150 organizations, from incredibly diverse sectors of the American economy. Over the past year, this group has engaged state and federal policymakers to increase funding for broadband access, encourage stronger government coordination and more accurate reporting of broadband data, and expand telehealth access.
Just last week, we announced the launch of the new American Connection Corps (applications are open now), supported by 20 organizations and in conjunction with Lead for America. Through their proven Homecomers model, LFA will run the American Connection Corps as a separate track under their broad Fellows program. LFA will select, train and place leaders in two-year, full-time paid fellowships with local institutions (e.g. local governments, nonprofits, community foundations) to tackle tough challenges facing the community, strengthen their hometown's civic infrastructure and join a new cohort of transformational community leaders.
We’re thrilled to continue the work of connectivity through this new group of yet-to-be-selected leaders. You can find more details on this fantastic two-year opportunity on the fellowship page on Lead for America’s website.
This work is just beginning. Join us.
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Here’s message to share: Now more than ever, we must defy the #digitaldivide. It stands in the way of the one thing we ALL share -- our need to reach -- beyond what's possible, turning imagination into progress for all. Share this story. Make a difference. https://youtu.be/r8G1gPLbWhM