National Urban League Policy on Telecommunications

Policy Statement: Telecommunications

The National Urban League advocates the following position on telecommunications:

While the broadband adoption gap between blacks and whites is narrowing, more than one-third of African American households do not have access to broadband service. Increasingly, the key to jobs, and upward mobility, economic development and entrepreneurship opportunities lies in digital literacy and access to broadband.

A technologically competent workforce, digital literacy and the importance of STEM education and engagement by young people are critical to economic development in a broadband economy. Indeed, the number of jobs requiring technology skills is expected to grow as much as 75% in the next decade.

Significant gaps in broadband adoption continue to exist and African Americans are underrepresented in employment and business ownership in sectors that depend on broadband connectivity. From enabling communication between parents and educators, to promoting B2B activities to creating job opportunities, technology and access to broadband have become necessities in today’s high-tech society.

Through its participation in stakeholder coalitions, on federal diversity committees and other civil rights groups, the Washington Bureau works to identify solutions sector-by-sector to fit the needs of local communities and businesses and to ensure that urban communities are able to fully participate in the innovation economy.

Recent National Urban League Policies
Sep 19 2013 Broadband Adoption Gap Between Blacks and Whites is Narrowing   While the broadband adoption gap between blacks and whites is narrowing, more than one-third of African American households do not have access to broadband service. Increasingly, the key to jobs, and upward mobility, economic development and entrepreneurship opportunities lies in digital literacy... Read
Sep 18 2013 Telecommunications Through its participation in stakeholder coalitions, on federal diversity committees and other civil rights groups, the Washington Bureau works to identify solutions sector-by-sector to fit the needs of local communities and businesses and to ensure that urban communities are able to fully... Read
Sep 14 2013 Jobs and Workforce Development To achieve economic equality, the National Urban League advances policies that will close the existing racial gaps in employment, income and wealth.
Sep 14 2013 21st Century Agenda for Jobs and Freedom Background of the 21st Century Agenda for Jobs and Freedom
Sep 13 2013 Education The National Urban League believes that educational opportunity and economic empowerment are inextricably linked. A child that receives an excellent education is better prepared to attend college, enter the workforce and contribute to society.