|
|
Invest in MMTC and Help
U
s Train the
Next Generation
Leaders, Workers, and Entrepreneurs!
|
Message from
MMTC President & CEO Maurita Coley on COVID-19
|
 |
Dear MMTC Family and Friends:
We hope that you and your families are safe and well.
MMTC has transitioned into a virtual office and adjusted our scheduled undertakings in
response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we remain fully committed to our vision of "a fully connected, educated, healthy, and empowered society in which all communities thrive," by bridging the digital divide, and improving the overall well-being of our most vulnerable students, workers, families, and communities.
- Connecting the Disconnected: Some of us can continue to maintain our livelihoods by exercising the telework privilege during COVID-19. But many millions of Americans who work in jobs that do not allow them to telework have been thrust into economic chaos. Over 3.3 million have had to file for unemployment benefits, and it is anticipated that 8.4 million people will lose their jobs over the next few months. Some students who must now attend school from home don't have home internet access, or they have limited internet access. During this time, we have the opportunity, and the duty, to make every effort to assist low-income families in urban and rural communities, families of the incarcerated, seniors, and the disabled, each of whom are among the "hard to reach" groups that frame our mission.
- MMTC Goes Virtual: MMTC will increase our online efforts through written thought leadership via blogs, podcasts, webinars, social media, and other creative, collaborative platforms. Being respectful of the need for social distancing, we pivoted and quickly transformed our March 12th in-person forum on licensed and unlicensed spectrum into a teleconference, and we will continue to use digital platforms. "Spectrum Deep Dive Part 2" proceeded as planned, and featured speakers from CTIA, NCTA, NAB, and the National Urban League. In case you missed it, listen to Part 2 of the Spectrum convening online.
- MMTC's COVID-19 Portal:We are grateful for the efforts of our fellow nonprofits who have reached out to the most vulnerable communities. We also are proud of the FCC and many of our industry partners who committed to ease the burdens on low-income and other vulnerable families by signing Chairman Pai's "Keep Americans Connected" pledge, or by doing many other kindnesses that help to soften the impact of this Coronavirus on our neighbors. MMTC created a web portal and Wakelet blog that captures the FCC's COVID-19 response and commitments.
-
Prioritizing Each Other:
The COVID-19 crisis has shined a bright light on our most important priorities, and vulnerabilities; I know we will continue to support each other during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Maurita K. Coley
President and CEO, MMTC
|
MMTC Pays Tribute to Former and Current
FCC Commissioners During
Women's History Month
|
In honor of Women's History Month, join MMTC in celebrating the 15 former and current FCC Commissioners for making women's history at the FCC since 1948 (photos organized left to right):
- Hon. Jessica Rosenworcel (2012-2017, 2018-present)
- Hon. Mignon Clyburn (2009-2018 - first African American FCC Commissioner & Acting Chairwoman)
- Hon. J. Frieda Hennock (1948-1955)
- Hon. Charlotte T. Reid (1971-1976)
- Hon. Margita White (1976-1979)
- Hon. Anne P. Jones (1979-1983)
- Hon. Mimi Weyforth Dawson (1981-1987)
- Hon. Patricia Diaz Dennis (1986-1989)
- Hon. Sherrie P. Marshall (1989-1993, no photo)
- Hon. Susan Ness (1994-2001)
- Hon. Rachelle B. Chong (1994-1997)
- Hon. Gloria Tristani (1997-2001)
- Hon. Kathleen Q. Abernathy (2001-2005)
- Hon. Deborah Taylor Tate (2006-2009)
- Hon. Meredith Attwell Baker (2009-2011)
Read more about them here.
|
MMTC Hosts Digital Equity Roundtable Convening and Tele-Panel on
Licensed and Unlicensed Spectrum
|
 |
|
MMTC held Part I of its "All Things Spectrum" Digital Equity Roundtable on February 19th. The briefing covered the role of spectrum in both licensed and unlicensed applications for wired and wireless technologies. Dr. Rikin Thakker, MMTC Vice President of Telecommunications and Spectrum Policy, provided an overview of how different bands' unique properties make them suitable for certain applications, and how FCC's spectrum reallocation efforts can impact our nation's wired and wireless telecommunications future. Dr. Thakker specifically provided updates on where each frequency band stands at the FCC and how it could impact urban and rural communities.
MMTC held Part II of its "All Things Spectrum" convening as a virtual panel focusing on potential licensed and unlicensed uses of 6GHz. The panel featured guest speakers from CTIA, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, the National Urban League, and the National Association of Broadcasters. Moderated by Dr. Thakker, the discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities of mid-band spectrum, in particular 6 GHz, and how the allocation of unlicensed vs. licensed portion would affect the underserved communities and help bridge the digital divide.
Listen to the audio recording here.
|
MMTC Finds FCC Diverse Broadcast Ownership Report Results 'Alarming'; Urges Commission to Reprioritize Ownership Diversity
|
In February, the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report on its biennial collection of broadcast ownership diversity, affirming a significant void in ownership diversity across all measures. MMTC found the results of this long-awaited report alarming. MMTC urges the Commission to reaffirm and reprioritize its commitment to women and minority broadcast ownership.
Read the full press statement here.
|
MMTC Policy Committee Chair Deborah Lathen Speaks on '
Hot Topics in
Communications
Policy' at Free State Foundation's
12th Annual Telecom Policy Conference
|
 |
On March 10, 2020, Deborah Lathen, Chair of the MMTC Board's Policy Committee, Former Chief of the FCC Cable Services Bureau, and President of Lathen Consulting LLC, served as a panelist for the "Hot Topics in Communications Policy" panel at the Free State Foundation's 12th Annual Telecom Policy Conference. Lathen's co-panelists included James Assey, Executive Vice President, NCTA - The Internet & Television Association; Mary Brown, Senior Director for Technology and Spectrum Policy, Cisco; and James Cicconi, Senior Executive Vice President, AT&T. Seth Cooper, Director of Policy Studies and Senior Fellow, The Free State Foundation; and Andrew Long, Senior Fellow, The Free State Foundation, moderated the panel.
During the panel, Lathen
addressed three key policy areas relevant to MMTC's mission: Spectrum and Infrastructure, Consumer Online Privacy, and Universal Service.
Read MMTC's full post on the panel here.
|
MMTC Speaks on Disinformation and the 2020 Elections at LULAC Advocacy Day on Capital Hill as Part of Its 2020 Emerge Latino Conference
|
On February 27th, MMTC Director of Communications and Policy Research Marcella Gadson joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) for its Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill as part of LULAC's "State of Latino America: New Tech and the Latino Community" during its 2020 Emerge Latino Conference. Gadson discussed "Disinformation and the 2020 Elections," along with panelists from HTTP the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Free Press, and POLITICO Technology Reporter Cristiano Lima, who served as Moderator.
LULAC's Advocacy Day also included impassioned remarks from Senator Jacky Rosen on the importance of STEM for a 21st century education.
LULAC concluded its Emerge 2020 Conference with its annual gala celebrating its 91st anniversary.
Read MMTC's full post on the conference here.
|
FCC Commissioner Starks Holds
Future of Work Roundtable and Workshop;
NUL Highlights Partnership with MMTC to Diversify Apprenticeship
|
 |
On February 11, 2020, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks hosted a roundtable discussion on the "Future of Work." The event convened a group from civil society, academia, and industry to orient the FCC's role in the Future of Work conversation. The National Urban League (NUL), MMTC's partner in creating and diversifying Registered Apprenticeships under a U.S. Department of Labor initiative through NUL's Urban Apprenticeship Jobs Program, was represented by NUL Washington Bureau Executive Director Clint Odom.
View the recording of the roundtable here.
NUL's UAJP project has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal Funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Contract Number DOL-ETA-16-C-0126. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
|
MMTC Speaks on Consumer Privacy and Voter Disenfranchisement in the 2020 Elections at
Black Women's Roundtable's Technology
Policy Lunch Series
|
|
On February 11th, Marcella Gadson, MMTC Director of Communications, served as a panelist for the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation's Black Women's Roundtable's Technology Policy Lunch Series: Centering Women of Color's Leadership, Civil Rights & Election Security into the Data Privacy Debate panel.
The roundtable explored 1) the issues and possible solutions surrounding the civil rights violations that people of color experience when engaging online and 2) the cyber vulnerabilities facing the 2020 elections, and ways to protect our democratic elections.
Watch the full video of the event here.
|
MMTC's
Ronald Johnson and Maurita Coley Re-Appointed As Members of FCC's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment's
Working Group
|
The FCC selected MMTC President and CEO
Maurita Coley
and Board Chair Ronald Johnson (representing the Wireless Infrastructure Association) to serve as members of the Advisory Committee on Diversity and
Digital Empowerment's
Diversity
in the
Tech
Sector Working Group.
Read the FCC Public Notice here.
|
|
On February 17, 2020,
Radio World
published "20/20 Vision: Prospective From Two Seasoned Media Brokers"
by Suzanne Gougherty, Director of MMTC Media and Telecom Brokers, f
eaturing an interview with Mark Jorgenson, President and Owner of
Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage,
and Eddie Esserman, Managing Director of
Media Services Group
.
In the interview, Gougherty discusses digital AM, the radio business environment, and the role of the media broker with Jorgenson and Esserman.
For more information, contact Suzanne Gougherty at sgougherty@mmtconline.org.
Read the full article here.
|
MMTC Alumni and Fellows News
|
MMTC Alumni and Former Earle K. Moore Fellows on the Move
|
Danielle Davis, a former MMTC 2018 Earle K. Moore fellow and a graduate of B
arry University - Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law (2018), recently
accepted a position as the Tech and Telecom Policy Fellow at the National Urban League. Previously, Davis served as the Tech and Telecom Fellow at the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Julian Harrison, a former MMTC 2016 Earle K. Moore fellow and a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law (2018), has accepted a position as the Tech Fellow at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF). Prior to joining the CBCF, Harrison worked as an associate for
Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP.
|
Calling All MMTC Alumni and Fellows!
We Need Your Help in 2020!
|
|
Please share your updated contact information and career news with Dorrissa Griffin, MMTC Chief of Staff, at dgriffin@mmtconline.org.
|
Davis Wright Tremaine Hosts Black Influencers in Tech & Telecom Fireside Chat with FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
|
Majority Whip James Clyburn Discusses Rural Broadband Task Force at USTelecom
|
|
On February 11th, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) discussed his Rural Broadband Task Force with USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter at the company's rural 5G event.
During the conversation, Majority Whip Clyburn stressed the need for broadband access and adoption, comparing Clarendon County, SC, of 1954 when students had to walk miles to school to the Clarendon County of 2020, where only 34% of homes have internet and students must travel to parking lots for broadband access to do homework. He charged the attendees and America with a pledge that aligns with the goals of his Task Force: "Make America's greatness affordable and accessible for all."
Read MMTC's post on the full discussion and Majority Whip Clyburn's Task Force here.
|
MMTC 2020 Census Resources
|
|
This year, MMTC is continuing its commitment to close the digital divide by helping communities of color prepare for, understand, and participate in the first-ever digital 2020 Decennial Census with census resources published on our website.
Go
here
to access MMTC's 2020 Census Resources.
|
|
Download, Share, and Support
MMTC's
Jumpstart Tech
Career and Business Guides
|
|
|
MMTC created the
Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide
and Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide to support those who are looking to start or strengthen their careers and businesses in the tech industry.
The
MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide
provides a four-step process along with resources to help you develop and execute your tech job search strategy. The four steps include:
- Step 1: Do relevant work.
- Step 2: Listen to the buzz.
- Step 3: Start applying.
- Step 4: Identify conferences and tech weeks to attend for training, resources, information sharing, and networking.
Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or a mid-level or seasoned professional exploring tech entrepreneurship, the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide provides a five-step process along with resources to help you develop and execute a strategy to launch your business. The five steps include:
- Step 1: Launch Your Tech Business
- Step 2: Fund Your Tech Business
- Step 3: Target Funders Who Support Diversity
- Step 4: Partner with Corporate Supplier Diversity Programs
- Step 5: Identify Peer Groups, Continuing Education Opportunities, Conferences and Events
Download the FREE guides and share then with your network.
- Go here to get a copy of the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide
- Go here to get a copy of the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide
Help MMTC expand the guides with a donation. Go here to donate.
|
Have you seen
MMTC TV yet? Go
here to watch videos of MMTC's Broadband and Social Justice Summits and Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conferences.
|
MMTC's February Social Media
Learn more about MMTC's work by visiting our Wakelet Blog:
|
Help Expand MMTC's Work in Tech, Media & Telecom!
With our nonpartisan values of diversity and inclusion, MMTC continues to pursue our work with great determination notwithstanding our modest resources.
We
offer our sincere appreciation for support in helping us deliver our world-class advocacy, convenings, and policy leadership in industries regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
TO SUPPORT MMTC, YOU CAN DONATE IN TWO WAYS:
- Fellowship: Help the next generation of media and telecom lawyers and policy professionals to advocate on behalf of our nation's multicultural, women, and underserved communities by investing in the new Henry M. Rivera Fellowship. Other fellowships you are invited to support are the Cathy Hughes and Earle K. Moore fellowships.
- General: Make a donation to general support.
MMTC is recognized by the IRS under 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.
Your support makes it possible for MMTC to serve as an advocate for diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the nation's most important industries.
Thank You!
|
|
The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) is a non-partisan, national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity in the tech, media, and telecom industries, and closing the digital divide. MMTC is generally recognized as the nation's leading advocate for multicultural advancement in communications. We strongly believe that the breathtaking changes in communications technology and the new global forms of media partnerships must enhance diversity in the 21st century.
About MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers
As the nation's only nonprofit media and telecom brokerage, we invest time and effort in training a new generation of media and telecom entrepreneurs. Our brokerage services have expanded to include consulting. So please think of us if you have a client or a friend looking to enter the broadcast business that needs a seasoned brokerage firm. We are dedicated to our cause of promoting diverse broadcast ownership in media, telecom, and tech.
Want to learn more about MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers? Contact Suzanne Gougherty at
sgougherty@mmtconline.org or David Honig at dhonig@mmtconline.org.
|
|
