When was growing up in East St. Louis, having home internet access wasn’t even on people’s radar yet.
But today, it’s an essential element of the level playing field that Joyner-Kersee has spent her post track-and-field career advocating for through her many philanthropic efforts.
“All I ever wanted was a level playing field. We talk about races, we talk about running against one another and being competitive,” Joyner-Kersee, 54, said. “That’s what Internet Essentials means to me — it’s giving our people access to have the opportunity so you can be in the race.”
Joyner-Kersee was in Denver on Tuesday to celebrate the to all families and individuals who receive public housing assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Earlier this summer, the retired track star was named the , the largest broadband adoption program in the country.
In Colorado, Internet Essentials’ expansion will impact upwards of 50,000 households — with or without school-age children. When it , the discounted Comcast internet was only available to families with a child who qualified for the . To date, 33,000 families in Colorado and 750,000 nationwide have signed up for the low-cost internet service, Comcast said.
Comcast on Tuesday also announced a $100,000 grant to Denver Housing Authority to create fully-equipped technology hubs at five DHA opportunity centers across the city. The grant will supply computers, smart boards, software, video conferencing equipment and printers, as well as support training sessions for people of all ages.
“This is so far beyond a computer lab,” Comcast’s chief diversity officer David Cohen said. “It is really a driver of digital awareness, digital education and digital inclusion. We’re proud to accelerate that program and accelerate the construction and roll-out of those hubs around the city of Denver.”
Upcoming classes at Mulroy Opportunity Center — the first technology hub to be completed — will cover everything from e-mail etiquette and internet safety to using Google Drive and Mint, a money managing website.
During an event at Mulroy, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock presented both Joyner-Kersee and Cohen with Denver’s challenge coin, a rare honor previously given to high-profile dignitaries including presidents and “Lone Survivor” .
“We know today that without the internet, you can’t find a job, you can’t access essential services, you can’t really properly bank, you can’t get health care. Our young children are severely handicapped to be academically competitive,” Hancock said. “There are still too many Americans who are disconnected.”
