ELIMINATING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN THE CAROLINAS
WHAT IS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE?
The digital divide is the opportunity gap between those who have ready-access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. In this day and age, one cannot prosper without full access to online resources.
WHAT DOES E2D DO?
E2D collects used laptops from generous corporations, refurbishes them in student-led technology labs, and distributes them to student families who don't have a computer at home.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
As with most non-profit enterprises, financial support is a critical element of our operations. However, first and foremost, we need laptops! If your company retires its used laptops, please ask your IT department to donate them to E2D. We will pick them up, take them to our lab, refurbish them and redistribute them to families in our community with distinct needs.
By donating used corporate laptops to E2D, you will be in good company with 90 other corporate donors that have made eliminating the digital divide a priority.
FEATURED RELATIONSHIP:
DUKE ENERGY
Charlotte’s Corporate leadership has truly transformed our community through its generosity and commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion, particularly through its profound and intentional work on digital inclusion. Duke Energy has quickly stepped forward to the front lines of this work!
E2D, in conjunction with tremendous regional corporate support, local community efforts such as the Center for Digital Equity, and the leadership of the State’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Office, has placed over 43,000 laptops into homes since 2013. With Duke’s commitment to donating laptops and volunteer hours, E2D will be bridging the digital divide for several residents across North Carolina.
We are incredibly grateful for the support from our friends at Duke Energy. We are so lucky to have an incredible board member from the Duke Energy Foundation, Dominique Johnson, who has been integral in our success in building our relationship with Duke Energy over the last several years to where it is today. We cannot wait to see how our partnership continues to grow and develop in the future!
OUR MISSION
E2D's mission is to provide affordable access to essential at-home technology and digital skills for all North Carolina families. Our goals are to support academic success for students, preparing them for college, careers, and beyond as well as contribute to job creation and retention for adult members of households.
OUR CHALLENGE
There are still an estimated 26,000 households in Mecklenburg County that lack home-based, connected computers. This number is well over 328,000 for the entire State of North Carolina.
Our Vision:
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Every home must have a computer in it.
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Every home must have access to fast, reliable, and affordable digital broadband.
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Every person in the home needs to know how to use these devices effectively to be successful in school and in jobs, raising their family’s productivity and prosperity.
OUR SOLUTIONS
Our ability to maximize impact in the community is only as strong as our collaborations with many partners:
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Corporations that provide the supply of laptops
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CMS: most of our distributions happen through the school system, which identifies the families in need.
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Community organizations that provide digital literacy training, affordable broadband access, and tech support.
FUTURE PLANS
NORTH CAROLINA AND BEYOND
E2D initially focused on the digital divide in Davidson NC and resolved that gap completely. Since then we quickly expanded to the greater Charlotte Region and have helped our community shrink its digital gap from 30%+ to less than 8%. There is still much work to be done in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, but we are also now committed to tackling the digital divide throughout the Carolinas. Our model has succeeded effectively and we are thrilled to continue to expand the footprint of our work.