MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley Retires; Robert Branson, Former FCC, Industry and Bar Association Leader Takes the Reins |
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On June1, 2021, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) announced that its President and CEO, Maurita Coley, has retired. The MMTC Board of Directors has selected Robert Branson as her successor, effective June 1, 2021.
“MMTC extends our deepest appreciation and many thanks to Maurita Coley who has, since 2012, served us admirably, with unparalleled integrity and transparency, first as Chief Operating Officer, and since 2018 as President and Chief Executive Officer,” stated MMTC Board Chair and Treasurer Ronald Johnson. “Maurita has amplified our role as a respected and influential thought leader, known for our commitment to minority business, consumers, and underrepresented communities.”
One of MMTC’s co-founders and President Emeritus David Honig said “I am eternally grateful to Maurita for taking such great care of my baby – MMTC – and helping to usher it into the next 35 years of excellence. While she is stepping down from the President and CEO role, Maurita will forever be a part of the MMTC family.”
“I take great pride to have served with such a talented and committed board, advisors, investors, and staff of an impactful organization that is focused on a shared goal: advancing policies that create equal opportunities for underrepresented communities and talent,” stated Coley. “My proudest accomplishment was our completion of MMTC’s first official strategic plan and framework for the modernization of MMTC’s mission and vision, with the assistance of the Columbia University Capstone Program’s School of Nonprofit Management, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, and our staff and boards. I’m absolutely thrilled with the board’s selection of Bob Branson to lead MMTC into its 35th year, and I will support him in any way I can. I plan to take some time for my personal creative interests, but I will stay close to the MMTC family.”
Under Coley’s tenure, MMTC underwent a major streamlining and repositioning. Taking on a new voice at the intersection of technology, privacy, civil rights in the digital age, and upskilling tomorrow’s workforce, MMTC also stayed true to its core mission of achieving multicultural ownership and digital inclusion by continuing to produce MMTC’s signature Broadband and Social Justice Summit, Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conferences. Coley strengthened MMTC’s relationships with its partners and stakeholders, FCC leaders, and congressional offices; she testified on issues such as media ownership and employment diversity; she led MMTC’s filings and convenings on predatory calling rates for incarcerated persons, consumer online privacy, tech platform accountability, workforce diversity, equitable access to affordable broadband for urban and rural communities, and multicultural media content diversity. Coley served on the External Diversity and Inclusion Councils of Charter Communications and T-Mobile, and on the FCC’s Advisory Committee for Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) where she focused on promoting tech employment best practices and on building a pipeline of diverse students into the tech workforce. Under Coley’s leadership, MMTC embraced a “community-centered framework,” including faith-based outreach, and she oversaw the contract to support the National Urban League’s “Urban Apprenticeship Jobs Program.
Read the press statement here.
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Robert E. Branson, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and media and telecom industry lawyer, and former president of the Federal Communications Bar Association, has become the President and CEO of MMTC.
“We are confident that MMTC will be even stronger and more resilient than ever before under the leadership of Robert ‘Bob’ Branson, a well-known and respected public servant and telecommunications lawyer whom I greatly admire,” stated MMTC Board Chair and Treasurer Ronald Johnson. “Given President Branson’s many years of service in government and in the private sector public and private entities, he is the perfect person to lead MMTC. We extend our deepest appreciation and many thanks to Maurita Coley who has, since 2012, served us admirably, with unparalleled integrity and transparency.”
“Bob Branson is an excellent choice to take on the reins as MMTC’s fourth president and CEO in MMTC’s 35th year,” stated MMTC’s President Emeritus and co-founder, David Honig. “He has the perfect blend of government and industry experience, and a demonstrated commitment to achieving diversity in the media, telecom, and tech industries and in the communications bar. I am honored to support his leadership as MMTC’s fourth president.”
“I am thrilled to join MMTC as its President and CEO and to build on its many years of first-rate advocacy to achieve diversity in the communications industries,” stated Branson. “I have valued MMTC as an organization and have been part of the family of MMTC for many years. In fact, in 2017, I was blessed to have been honored with the Everett C. Parker Lifetime Achievement Award, MMTC’s highest honor. It is my sincere pleasure to stand on the shoulders of MMTC’s prior leaders as we celebrate our 35th anniversary year. I am ready and eager to engage with this board, our funders and supporters to lead MMTC through the challenges ahead.”
Branson, a well-respected and well-known media and telecom lawyer, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff lawyer and senior legal advisor to a commissioner, and former communications bar association president, has a wide variety of experience in communications, strategic planning, minority business advocacy, and diversity and inclusion. His areas of expertise include broadcast, cable, telecom, tech, privacy, IoT, broadband, AI, spectrum, and infrastructure. Branson brings his unique perspective to MMTC, as someone who has worked inside and outside government and who has had a lifelong commitment to diversity and social justice issues.
Immediately prior to MMTC, Branson served as Of Counsel to Empire Consulting Group, a minority-led strategic business and public policy firm serving leading technology, wireless, cable and other industry clients. Prior to that, Branson was an Associate General Counsel with Verizon Communications where his key responsibilities included the 5G rollout in the Washington, DC area, privacy regulations, and relationship building with leaders in federal and state governments. He has been the General Counsel of the Association of Local Television Stations, Chief Legal Counsel of Post-Newsweek Stations and an Assistant General Counsel at the National Association of Broadcasters. Branson also has worked at the FCC in the Mass Media Bureau and as Senior Legal Advisor to former Commissioner Andrew C. Barrett. Branson is a past president and member of the executive committee of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) where he worked closely with many of the leaders of the Congress, FCC, NTIA, FTC and other federal agencies.
Read the press statement here.
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MMTC Hosts Emergency Broadband
Benefit Black Church Panel with #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition
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On May 24, 2021, MMTC hosted the Emergency Broadband Benefit Black Church Panel with the #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition. Speakers included Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, Co-Pastor, Ray of Hope Community Church; Dr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference; Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies and Director, Center for Technology Innovation, The Brookings Institution; Bishop Leah Daughtry, Co-Founder, Black Church PAC; Maurita Coley, MMTC President and CEO; and Dr. Fallon Wilson, MMTC Vice President.
The FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program provides discounts for broadband service and devices to families struggling to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get more information here.
Go here to learn more about MMTC's #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition, a six-member group of partner organizations committed to helping close the digital divide in the Black community. The Coalition partners include the Conference of National Black Churches, The Balm In Gilead Inc., Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Black Church PAC, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, and Values Partnerships.
Watch the upcoming #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition panels on June 14th and July 12th at 7-8 p.m. ET here.
Get more information here about the Black Church Leaders meetings on June 21st and July 19th at 7-8 p.m. ET.
Watch video recording of the May 24th panel here.
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MMTC Law and Policy Initiatives |
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MMTC Participates in FCC's Tech and Communications
Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair
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On April 28, 2021, MMTC participated in the FCC's Tech and Communications Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair. The event was co-sponsored by the Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group of the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE), the Internet Association, and the FCC’s Media Bureau. MMTC's Board Chair and Treasurer Ronald Johnson serves as the Chair of the ACDDE Diversity in the Tech Sector Working Group's Supplier Diversity Subgroup. S. Jenell Trigg, a member of MMTC's Board of Advisors, is the Co-Chair for the Tech and Communications Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair Planning Committee.
The Symposium provided information, resources, and support to diverse communications businesses (DCBs), including those focused on legacy communications industries (e.g., radio, television, telecommunications, cable, and satellite), and those engaged in technology-oriented industries seeking business opportunities as vendors, suppliers, or partners with tech and communications companies or government agencies. DCBs include small businesses, minority- and ethnic-owned, women-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and disabled-owned businesses.
Speakers included FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel; Hon. Jonathan Adelstein, President & CEO, The Wireless Infrastructure Association; Jamila Bess Johnson, Designated Federal Officer, ACDDE, FCC; Anna M. Gomez, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP and representing the Hispanic National Bar Association; and Chair, Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE); S. Jenell Trigg, Member, Lerman Senter PLLC and representing the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association; and Co-Lead, Digital Empowerment Subgroup, Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group; Rudy Brioché, Vice President and Counsel, Global Public Policy Comcast Corporation, and Chair, Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group, ACDDE; Susan Au Allen, National President and CEO, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, and Co-Lead, Digital Empowerment Subgroup, Digital Empowerment & Inclusion Working Group, ACDDE; Sean Perryman, Director, Social Impact Policy and Counsel Internet Association; K. Dane Snowden, President and CEO Internet Association; Edith McCloud, Acting National Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce; Sanford S. Williams, Director, FCC Office of Communications Business Opportunities and Special Advisor, Office of FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel; Tony Crescenzo, President, Intelligent Waves, LLC, and Member of Northern Virginia Technology Council; Major L. Clark, III, Acting Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration; Joycelyn James, Tech, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development, Government of the District of Columbia; Scott D. Woods, Senior Broadband Specialist, BroadbandUSA, NTIA; Angela M. Washington, Supervisory, Business Development Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency U.S. Department of Commerce; Heather Gate, Director, Digital Inclusion Connected Nation, and Vice Chair, ACDDE; Jalayna F. Bolden, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity, Global Connection & Supplier Chain, AT&T Services, Inc.; Jesús Borboa, Supplier Diversity Manager, PayPal; Melissa Bradley, Founder and Managing Member, 1863 Ventures; Chris James, President and CEO, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development; and Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO, Hispanic Heritage Foundation.
Learn more and watch the video here.
Go here to read MMTC's Wakelet blog that features social media highlights.
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MMTC Joins Broadband Equity for All Coalition |
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In May, MMTC joined the Broadband Equity for All coalition of more than 40 leading civil rights organizations, consumer groups, and private sector leaders to ensure all Americans, no matter where they live or how much money they make, are connected to the internet.
The Broadband Equity for All coalition believes it’s time for Congress to adopt a federally-funded broadband benefit program that would be managed and administered by the FCC to provide low-income households with enhanced financial support that will be available long after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
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MMTC Discusses The Latimer Plan at
National Urban League's 18th Legislative Policy Conference
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The National Urban League’s 18th Legislative Policy Conference will feature MMTC President Maurita Coley as a speaker for "The Latimer Plan: Closing the Digital Divide" session that will be held on June 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Earlier this year, the National Urban League released its Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion – a policy prescription for closing the digital divide. The session will focus on the technology gap between the haves and have nots is as old as technology itself, but the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a startling imbalance. The plan’s authors, industry experts, civil rights leaders, and government officials will tackle multiple strategies for expanding broadband access and building tech literacy across rural and urban communities. In this new era of tech, we leave no one behind.
Learn more about the The Latimer Plan here.
Read the full agenda here.
Register for the free virtual conference here.
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Black Tech NOLA Invites MMTC to Speak About Black Tech Ecosystems |
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MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson, will join a Black Tech NOLA panel discussion on "Building Black Tech Ecosystems" presented by T-Mobile on June 29, 2021, at 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. ET. During the panel, Black tech ecosystem builders will share how they are changing the game around tech inclusion.
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MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson Participates in
Digital Entrepreneurship in Communities of Color Panel Hosted by Arizona State University Center on Technology, Data, and Society
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On April 9, 2021, Dr. Fallon Wilson, MMTC Vice President, spoke during the Digital Entrepreneurship in Communities of Color panel hosted by Arizona State University Center on Technology, Data, and Society. In her presentation, Dr. Wilson discussed Black tech ecosystems and the racial tech disparity problem. She also addressed the Black business problem and the impact of the digital divide on Black entrepreneurs. "The best way to access a city's Black Tech ecosystem is through working with tech anchor institutions including Black Tech ecosystem builders, Historically Black Colleges and universities, and Black Churches, We have to get federal agencies such as the FCC to canonize the terms, tech ecosystem builder and tech anchor institution so funding can be attached to them," says Dr. Wilson.
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MMTC Addresses Challenges Faced by Black Tech
Entrepreneurship Support Organizations During COVID-19
Pandemic at Kauffman Foundation Conference
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MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson participated in the "Supporting entrepreneurs through policy, programs & practice" panel at the Kauffman Foundation's Entrepreneurship and COVID-19: Reflections on the Past Year Conference on April 29, 2021. Dr. Wilson discussed the reason why Black tech entrepreneurship support organizations need tech policies. She also outlined the Black business problem and addressed the challenges faced by Black tech entrepreneurship support organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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MMTC, HTTP, and Kapor Center Get Word Out on
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
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On May 26, 2021, the Kapor Center hosted the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Outreach Strategies panel discussion on Instagram Live. MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson, HTTP Executive Director Alejandro Roark, and Kapor Center Chief Technology Community Officer Lili Gangas discussed the importance of broadband in African American and Latino communities and how the FCC's EBB Program can help bridge the digital divide. Dr. Wilson discussed MMTC's #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition and campaign.
Watch the Instagram Live video here.
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MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson's Public Interest Tech Work Featured in New America's The Commons |
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The Public Interest Tech team at New America published an article, "Nashville's Quest for Broadband Equity: A Q&A," that discusses the work MMTC Vice President Dr. Fallon Wilson and other women of color did to launch a citywide digital inclusion and connectivity research study in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Meet the summer fellows.
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Veronica Devries, Syracuse University College of Law
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Pia-Milan Green, University of Florida Levin College of Law
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Tamonica Jones. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law
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Tiana Loving, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law
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Mary Kate Pinto, Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
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Edward Street, Massachusetts School of Law
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MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers News |
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MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers Interviews Bustos Media President Amador Bustos About State of Radio Broadcasting in Radio World |
Radio World featured an interview written by Suzanne Gougherty, Director, MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers, about Amador Bustos, President and CEO, Bustos Media, the state of radio broadcasting, and his radio stations in Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. HIs stations mostly broadcast in Spanish, but some offer English-, Chinese-, Korean-, Russian- and Vietnamese-language programming.
Read the full article here.
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MMTC Brokers Commercial FM Station in Up-State New York |
MMTC Brokerage has a listing of WGWE 105.9 from the Seneca Nation. WGWE 105.9 is a commercial FM signal serving a large region in the southern tier of upstate New York. The offer included new transmitters and a list of other equipment and gear. For more detailed information, e-mail Suzanne Gougherty at sgougherty@mmtconline.org.
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MMTC Alumni Belen Crisp, Julian Harrison, and
Gavin Logan Make New Career Moves
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Former MMTC Cathy Hughes fellow Belen Crisp accepted a position as an associate at Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP. Prior to joining Kelley, Drye & Warren, Crisp worked as a Policy Counsel at ACT l The App Association.
Former MMTC Earle K. Moore fellow Julian Harrison was named Senior Alexa Policy Program Manager at Amazon. Prior to working at Amazon, Harrison served as an Ad Policy Manager at Tik Tok.
Former MMTC legal intern Gavin Logan joined Facebook as the Private and Public Policy Manager (Messenger). Prior to accepting his position at Facebook, Logan was an Attorney Advisor at the FCC.
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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) The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking an experienced advocate to lead CDT’s project on consumer privacy and data. The Director, Privacy & Data Project will lead a growing team of 5+ counsels focused on changing the law and business practices to protect consumers’ and workers’ privacy, prevent discriminatory uses of data, and promote responsible use of AI. The Director is a senior member of the U.S. policy team, collaborating frequently with other CDT Project Directors to develop multi-dimensional policy solutions (e.g. at the intersection of privacy and competition, or privacy and online content moderation). The Director also works closely with CDT’s Brussels office, helping to shape CDT’s advocacy on privacy, data and AI in the EU. The position is based in CDT’s Washington, DC office, with remote work currently in effect due to COVID-19. It is open until filled. Learn more here.
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AT&T, Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, T-Mobile, and
Verizon Participate in Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
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Congress created the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program to help low-income households get connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households will receive assistance of up to $50 a month on home broadband internet service. You may be eligible for EBB if your household has experienced a sudden loss of income during the pandemic, or is currently receiving federal benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, Lifeline, Pell Grants, or free and reduced-price school lunches.
Most leading broadband providers are participating in the EBB Program. Click on the names below and sign up with these leading broadband providers.
Go here for more information about the EBB Program.
Check out MMTC's #BlackChurches4Broadband Coalition's resources here.
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AT&T Summer Learning Academy Begins in July |
The AT&T Summer Learning Academy, a free online externship learning program, begins July 12th and ends July 23rd. The program is open to all high school and college students. It features training modules and live events with expert speakers who will discuss Personal Development, Business, #Technology, and insights on life at AT&T and WarnerMedia.
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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, 2020, and 2021, we have trained and mentored 35 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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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.
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Social Media Highlights: Learn more about MMTC's work by visiting our April Wakelet blog here and May 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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