News

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 16, 2010) – The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), a non-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to bridge the technology divide between underserved ethnic and minority communities within the United States and the technology advanced marketplace, today made an extraordinary donation of 175 computers to benefit the Los Angeles for Partnership Schools and particularly Carver Middle School in South Central LA.  Making the donation were ADE Community Affairs Consultant Monica Cabbler and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  Invited guests included the Partnership for Los Angeles School Chief Executive Officer, Marshall Tuck, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Dr. Kennon Mitchell, ADE Los Angeles Digital Empowerment Council Chairpersons California State Senators Alex Padilla and Curren Price and Entertainer, Sheila E, as well as Actor and ADE supporter, Quinton Aaron (The Blindside), elected officials, local business leaders and the media.

“Every child deserves a quality education and the quality resources to learn and get ahead,” Mayor Villaraigosa said.  “Thanks to Alliance for Digital Equality, the students at Carver Middle School are gaining access to the tools of the 21st century.  With technology at their fingertips, we are taking another step towards bridging the achievement gap and the digital divide.”

“The generous donation by the Alliance for Digital Equality is very much appreciated by Carver Middle School,” Carver Middle School Principal, Luz Cotto said. “ADE’s gift goes a long way towards creating viable opportunities to more than 1,800 students at Carver who don’t have access to computers as abundantly as other students do. The computers also serve as a critical resource for the student’s parents who come to the school for training, who otherwise do not have access to computers or Internet at home.  These families have the chance to remain competitive and access to the same information and opportunities as families from all over the United States and the world.”

Carver Middle School, which is made up predominantly of Latino students, is part of The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, an organization started by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The Partnership is one of the largest public school turnaround projects in the nation, serving nearly 20,000 students across 15 schools in some of the city’s most impoverished environments.  It is a unique collaboration between the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District to turnaround LA’s lowest performing schools and to create a model for doing so district wide.  An independent educational non-profit, the Partnership operates under an agreement with the Los Angeles Unified School District granting Partnership schools management and budgetary independence.

“The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is committed to ensuring that students have a strong foundation for academic excellence and personal success,” said The Partnership’s CEO, Marshall Tuck. “This includes providing our students the tools necessary to compete.  Our schools serve some of the highest need communities where computers are scarce, and it is our responsibility to provide our students with the technology they need to compete in today’s society.  Alliance for Digital Equity is providing that opportunity through their wonderful donation of 175 computers.  We are grateful to ADE for the work they are doing to reduce the technological divide that exists in our communities.”

ADE previously donated 25 computers to the Challengers Boys & Girls Club Learning Center, also in South Central LA. The computers are being used to enhance the members’ ability to utilize technology to help with homework, develop resumes, research colleges and prepare for standardized test-taking.

Additionally, ADE presented to nonprofit, Mothers In Action and the Lillian Mobley Manor Computer Center in Watts a donation of 10 computers.  The much needed equipment services over 60 neighborhood youth, ages 5-18 years of age enabling them to work on school activities including homework/tutorial programs, educational games, school projects and typing skills.

Seeking to end the ever-increasing “digital divide,” ADE is one of the leading voices of underserved communities on matters that not only pertain to technology, but to telecommunications reform and product awareness as well. By establishing “digital empowerment councils” in cities as diverse as Charleston, SC, Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Newark and Los Angeles, actively involved citizens are able to establish and affect local policies in regards to broadband initiatives, making sure that those living in underserved communities stay on par with technological advancements.