Dr, Fallon Wilson Joins MMTC as Vice President, Policy |
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Earlier this month, Dr. Fallon Wilson joined MMTC as Vice President, Policy. Dr. Wilson will lead MMTC’s work on three focus areas in the tech, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. The sectors include: Technology, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, and Civil Rights in the Digital Age; Infrastructure, Broadband Connectivity, and Digital Inclusion; and Multicultural Media Ownership and Content Diversity. “I’m so happy to join the MMTC team and help chart a new path forward for the 35-year-old organization,” said Dr. Wilson. “Given its historical prominence, I believe MMTC is in a great position to promote a liberatory tech policy and advocacy agenda at the national level, fueled by new partnerships, new coalitions, and new thought leaders of color.”
Dr. Wilson is a strategically data-conscious leader and public interest technologist with over 10 years of experience in developing, launching, and growing programs, partnerships, departments, and organizations in K thru 12th, Higher Education, and non-profit educational sectors with a strong lens of equity, tech inclusion, and workforce outcomes. Prior to joining MMTC, she launched and managed UmanityEDU, a consulting firm that builds Black tech innovation ecologies, with Black joy, research, and community-centered programming, to build a national Black tech ecosystem. She co-founded #BlackTechFutures Research Institute, a national network of city-based researchers and practitioners conducting research on sustainable local Black tech ecosystems.
Read the press statement here.
Read Dr. Wilson's staff bio here.
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Meet MMTC 2021 Spring Fellows |
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Dawn Doughty, MMTC Earle K. Moore fellow, is a third-year student at Florida International University College of Law, Dawn has earned the Dean's List recognition throughout her law school career. She currently works as the Director of Fraud Operations at Comcast Cable in Miami, Florida.
Pia-Milan Green, MMTC Cathy Hughes fellow, is a first-year student at University of Florida Levin College of Law. Pia-Milan is the recipient of the University of Florida Governor’s Scholarship Recipient. She is a member of the Black Law Students Association and serves as first-year student representative to the Caribbean Law Students Association and Student Bar Association.
DeVaughn Jones, MMTC Henry Geller fellow, is a third-year student at American University Washington College of Law (WCL). DeVaughn is a WCL Dean’s Scholar and a NAACP NextGen Graduate. His memberships include the Civil Advocacy Clinic, Black Law Students Association, International Law Review, NAACP DC, and Moot Court.
Kishel Stubbs, MMTC Henry Geller fellow, is a third-year student at Florida International University (FIU) College of Law. Kishel earned the Dean’s List recognition throughout her law school career. She is also the recipient of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association Scholarship and Caribbean Bar Association Scholarship. Currently, she is a member of FIU Law Review where she serves as a staff member and Articles Editor.
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MMTC Congratulates Interim FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel
and FCC Acting General Counsel Michele Ellison
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President Joe Biden named veteran FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Interim Chairwoman of the agency. MMTC offers FCC Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel our warm congratulations on this appointment. We have been honored to work with her during her service as an FCC staff member and, since 2012, as an FCC commissioner.
FCC Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel appointed Michele Ellison to serve as Acting General Counsel on January 25, 2021. Most recently, Ellison worked as the Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, a position she has held for most of her 25-year tenure at the FCC.
Read the MMTC press statement here.
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MMTC Will Participate in Federal Communications Bar's
Second Annual Women's Summit Series on January 29, 2021
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MMTC President Maurita Coley will participate in the “Cultivating Women’s Leadership in Corporate Governance and Finance” panel during the Federal Communications Bar Association’s Second Annual Women’s Summit Series on January 29th at 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET. Register here.
Speakers include Gwynne Shotwell, President, SpaceX; Deborah Platt Majoras, Chief Legal Officer, Procter & Gamble Co.; Amy Marmolejo, Chief Financial Officer, MediaKind; Jennifer Hightower, General Counsel, Cox Enterprises; and Kathleen Franklin, Global Ethics & Compliance Strategy Leader, Sony Group.
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MMTC Law and Policy Initiatives |
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FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment's
Virtual Summit: A Road Map to Tech Jobs
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On January 15, 2021, the FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment hosted the Virtual Summit: A Road Map to Tech Jobs. The Summit provided information and resources on obtaining employment in the tech sector to diverse high school and college students, as well as to key influencers such as guidance counselors, placement officers, and parents. MMTC President Maurita Coley moderated the Building Your Personal Brand panel. Panelists included Celeste Carrasco, Director of Public Affairs, AT&T; Donald Cravins, Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, Charter Communications; John Gibson, Vice President, External and Multicultural Affairs, Motion Picture Association; and Eric T. Gonzalez, Cloud Security Program Manager, Ridgeline.
Watch the video recording and access the resources here.
Read the Wakelet blog for social media highlights here. |
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MMTC Civil Rights Coalition Addresses
Unreasonable Pole Replacement Fees
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MMTC and a coalition of civil rights organizations filed comments supporting the FCC's action to address unreasonable pole replacement fees and help bridge the digital divide in September 2020.
Read the MMTC Fall 2020 Newsletter feature here.
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MMTC Leads Coalition of 19 Inmate Telephone Rate Control Supporters |
The American criminal justice system holds at least two million Americans behind in detention facilities. Mass incarceration has created a captive market valued at nearly $40 billion. Private companies profit from vulnerable consumers’ reliance on inmate telephone services. Last week, MMTC led the Inmate Telephone Rate Control Supporters, a coalition of 19 public interest, civil rights, and business advocacy organizations, in filing Reply Comments regarding the FCC’s policies governing rates for interstate inmate calling services. See the list of the Inmate Telephone Rate Control Supporters below.
- MMTC
- Arizona Inmate Families and Friends Association
- Arizona Justice Project
- ASPIRA Association
- Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation, Ex-Offender Reclamation Program
- Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, Prison Ministry Program
- Hispanic Federation
- Japanese American Citizens League
- LGBT Technology Partnership and Institute
- MANA, A National Latina Organization
- Metropolitan AME Church
- National Association for Equal Protection in Higher Education
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
- National Council of Negro Women
- National Organization of Black County Officials
- National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
- National Urban League
- OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates National Advocates
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MMTC and National Urban League File
Emergency Broadband Benefits (EBB) Comments
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MMTC and the National Urban League's Emergency Broadband Benefit’s (EBB) comments support universal and affordable broadband access. Both organizations see it as a critical and urgent civil rights’ issue. It is important that under-connected and disconnected people can get immediate access to wired and wireless broadband. To accomplish this, the FCC should do the following:
- Take important steps to maximize the value of EBB support and thereby reduce the digital divide.
- Define EBB eligibility broadly to maximize participation by low-income persons and people of color.
- Promote access to robust broadband services that are fully capable of meeting the needs of low-income households.
- Approve participating broadband providers on a streamlined basis and require them to promote the availability of EBB support.
- Promote transparency and accountability to ensure that participating households understand when benefits will be depleted and so program benefits can be effectively evaluated.
- Ensure that program oversight does not undermine the vital interest in widespread participation.
- The Consolidated Appropriations Act and the FCC’s existing verification processes from the Lifeline program provide ample means of preventing waste, fraud, and abuse.
- In all events, the FCC cannot allow oversight mechanisms to undermine the critical interest in maximizing participation by eligible low-income households
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides a vital opportunity to address the harmful and debilitating impacts of COVID-19 on access to broadband services for low-income people and communities of color.
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MMTC President Maurita Coley Speaks About the Impact of COVID-19
on Communities of Color at State of the Net Conference
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MMTC President Maurita Coley joined the State of the Net Conference discussion on How COVID-19 Has Impacted Communities of Color, Tribal Communities & Students Nationwide on January 27, 2021. The panelists included Matthew Rantanen, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and Evan Marwell, EducationSuperHighway. Tim Lordan, State of the Net, moderated the discussion. During the discussion, Coley shared how MMTC and the National Urban League's recently filed Emergency Broadband Benefits comments with the FCC to ensure under-connected and disconnected people can get immediate broadband access. "The Biden-Harris administration needs to set up a coordinating entity to make certain the FCC, NTIA, and USDA funding opportunities and agency jurisdiction aren't siloed," says Coley.
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MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers News |
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MMTC Brokers Close on KIQQ (AM) Radio Station
Sale to Chang Media Group
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Multicultural Media & Telecom Brokers (MMTC) recently closed on the sale of KIQQ (AM) Barstow, California radio station, to Asian American entrepreneur Jeff Chang of Chang Media Group. This transaction was made possible by Lazer Broadcasting Corp., to whom we are deeply grateful for their generosity. Donations such as this current transaction and others in the past made by other media companies to MMTC such as, Entercom, Trinity Broadcasting, and Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia, Inc.) continue to support our mission. MMTC is proud of the significant role it has taken in promoting minority and women entrepreneurship in broadcasting and appreciates that these generous donations which continue to support our cause.
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News About DeVan Hankerson Madrigal |
Former MMTC Research Director DeVan Hankerson Madrigal, Research Manager at the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) was recently featured in the CDT January newsletter. Learn more about her digital rights' career journey here.
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MMTC Talent Bank of Tech, Media, and Telecom Legal and Policy Employment Opportunities
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Calling All Employers: Feature Tech, Media, and Telecom
Legal and Policy Positions in MMTC Newsletter
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In an effort to expand and diversify the pipeline in the tech, media, and telecom industries, MMTC will feature employment, fellowship, and internship opportunities for lawyers, policy professionals, and graduate and undergraduate students in our newsletter. Send emails to media@mmtconline.org.
Career Opportunities
1) Word In Black, a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media, is seeking a smart, motivated part-time data reporter/journalist to join its editorial team.
Role and responsibilities include:
- Generate ideas for data-based and driven stories and analysis, on a range of topics, which would be suitable for visualization in legacy and new media across the collaborative
- Collaborate with Managing Director and designer to come up with original and engaging ways of visualizing this content
- Produce and write copy, as required, to accompany these visualizations
- Working on the data for output, for print and web, as required by Managing Director
- Plan and execute quantitative analyses — and interpret results — in support of investigative stories and visualization
- Assist reporters with data brainstorming, acquisition, cleaning, integrity-checking and analysis
- Validate and spot-check data work done by other journalists on the team
- Wrangle data, including FOIA requests for such data, scraping it, cleaning it, analyzing it and preparing it for publication
- Keep up on best-in-class statistical tools – and be able to present them to wider stakeholders from a non-statistical background
- Exploring and summarizing data using relational database software
- Visualizing and to find patterns in spatial data using GIS software
- Use statistical tools to identify significant data trends
- Employ skills and experience to advise on best approaches to data-led storytelling and the development and publication of data-led projects.
Required technical skills include: A good understanding of statistics and statistical analysis; a strong grasp of how to clean, parse and query data; a good knowledge of some of the following: spreadsheet software, SQL, Python and R; demonstrable experience of visualizing data, using either tools or scripts; experience of GIS or other mapping software; experience of gathering information from Freedom of Information requests.
Desirable skills include: Knowledge of basic scripting and HTML, as it might pertain to data visualization or data analysis and knowledge of several of the following; Carto, D3, QGIS, Tableau.
A bachelor's degree is required. A degree in journalism or a quantitative field is a plus. Position is remote and part-time, with potential to become full-time For more information contact Nick Charles, nick.charles@localmedia.org.
2) The Aspen Tech Policy Hub fellowship is a full-time, paid, ten-week program that teaches technology experts the policy process through an in-residence program in the Bay Area. The program is particularly well-suited to applicants who have existing tech policy ideas they wish to refine and press forward. Admitted applicants receive an $18,000 stipend to enable their participation. Apply here by February 22nd.
3) The Aspen Tech Executive Leadership Initiative is a part-time, unpaid, online, ten-week program that focuses on equipping experienced technology leaders with the skills critical to a career in government service and public policy. This free program is ideal for senior executives who are interested in future federal government service or in otherwise honing their skills to engage more effectively with governments. Apply here by February 22nd.
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News from Charter, Comcast, CTIA, Inclusive Innovation
Incubator, National Association of Broadcasters,
National Urban League, T-Mobile, USTelecom, and Verizon
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1) Read how Charter Communications will continue to work towards closing the technology divide and invest in solutions that advance broadband access, improve broadband adoption, and protect American's privacy and security online here. As a part of its continuing partnership with the National Action Network to support minority-owned small businesses through low-interest loans,
Also, Charter Communications recently announced a $1.5 million investment in Carver Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution providing access to reasonably priced loan capital and no-cost financial literacy training to aspiring Minority-and Women-owned Business Enterprises and consumers across the New York City area. Learn more here.
2) The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation's Project Innovation will award nearly $3.5 million to non-profit organizations in 11 NBC and Telemundo owned television station markets that are tackling everyday problems through innovative solutions. The application deadline is February 12th. Learn more here.
In addition, NBCUniversal News Group launched the NBCU Academy, a $6 million partnership with 12 universities and five community colleges to invest in the future of journalism. These 17 schools are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and colleges with significant Latino, Asian, Black, Indigenous and Tribal populations. Learn more here.
3) CTIA released its report, K-12 Connections: How Schools and Wireless Providers Are Partnering to Get Students Online During COVID-19 in December. The report outlines some the ways school systems, state education departments, and wireless providers collaborated to rapidly deploy hotspot connectivity solutions for students and staff during COVID-19. Read it here.
CTIA also published Building the 5G Economy, the wireless industry's plan to invest, innovate and build the 5G economy. Read it here.
4) The Inclusive Innovation Incubator has partnered with Capital One to launch its Tech-Enabled Business Bootcamp for DC entrepreneurs who have owned a business for three years or more. Apply here.
5) The National Association of Broadcasters' new Vaccine Education Toolkit provides research, sample messaging and suggested tactics to help local journalists craft vaccine education messages that will best resonate with their audiences. Learn more here.
7) T-Mobile's new initiative, the Magenta Edge helps small businesses get ahead and features a growing library of original content small business owners can use to learn and execute through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It expands T-Mobile’s $25 million pledge supporting diversity and inclusion and maintains a foundational focus on Black-Owned small businesses, who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID19, while offering educational programming, original stories, and insights for all entrepreneurs. Learn more here.
8) USTelecom's Main Street video series shows how some of our members are delivering broadband-fueled connectivity and opportunity. Watch the videos here.
9) Verizon is urging a new government approach to closing the digital divide to help make broadband connectivity affordable, adoptable, and accessible. Read the white paper for more information here.
Learn how three students of color's participation in the Verizon Innovative Learning program in middle school paved the way for their STEM college career and mentoring activities here (video included).
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Support MMTC's Fellowships
and Fundraising Campaign
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There is an urgent need for a pipeline of workers, students, and professionals to address the lack of diverse representation and thought leadership in the tech, media, and telecom (TMT) industries.
Since opening our doors in 1986, MMTC has worked tirelessly to promote and preserve equal opportunity, civil rights, and social justice in the TMT industries. Our fellowship and internship programs have directly trained more than 100 diverse students and professionals, arming them with the tools and sensitivity to advocate to ensure digital inclusion. In 2019 and 2020 alone, we have trained and mentored 28 students and young professionals for careers in tech, media, and telecom.
With your support, through our Fellowship and Social Justice and Digital Equity Policy Programs, we can increase the pipeline of diverse workers and professionals and greatly improve our impact in addressing how to support our nation’s most vulnerable communities. Our programs cover areas such as essential communications and technology access; employment and upskilling, leadership, ownership; and more.
Go here to learn more about the Fundraising Campaign.
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Support MMTC's Social Justice
and Digital Equity Policy Program
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MMTC seeks your support to officially launch MMTC’s Social Justice and Digital Equity Policy Program (DE Policy Program), a think tank comprised of innovative thought leadership and tech, media, and telecommunications (TMT) advocacy to provide a greater impact on the discussion of how to support our nation’s most vulnerable communities as they face TMT issues such as the digital divide; social justice; essential communications and technology access; employment, leadership, and ownership; and more.
Through this initiative, MMTC would like to fund the development of a think tank of experienced thought leaders in three focus areas in the TMT sectors:
- Technology, Privacy, and Civil Rights
- Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Digital Inclusion
- Media Competition and Multicultural Media Content Diversity
MMTC’s DE Policy Program will provide a forum for innovative thinking, data-driven knowledge dissemination, and consensus-building among those on multiple sides of the major TMT policy issues impacting communities of color.
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MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Career and Business Guides |
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Social Media Highlights: Learn more about MMTC's work by visiting our December Wakelet Blog here.
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Subscribe to MMTC TV: Go here to watch videos of MMTC's Broadband and Social Justice Summits and Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conferences.
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About MMTC
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
MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers was founded in 1997 by communications lawyer David Honig. He is also one of the co-founders of our parent organization, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC).
MMTC Brokers is the nation's only minority owned brokerage firm. Our goal is to open up opportunity for media ownership for all minorities. We have been working in the media brokerage space for more than 23 years and are involved in all aspects of radio, television, towers & telecom. We are widely recognized for our work on behalf of minorities and women to gain ownership. Our commitment to this cause includes every aspect of a transaction, including:
- Business planning
- Coaching new entrants
- Market research
- Assisting with due diligence
- Best practice for negotiation
We pride ourselves as being the conduit that connects the buyer and the seller. Our role is to bring two parties together, and assist each of them to view a potential transactions from a wider perspective. Our goal is to make is sure each party will come to terms to paper a deal and see it through to a successful closing.
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