TECHNOLOGY
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Detroit is the longtime home of GM's headquarters and we are deeply invested in its continued renaissance. This work is often focused on education and workforce development, but also digs deep to address root causes of inequity and gaps in achievement for children and adults.
A prime example is a project between GM and L.A.-based nonprofit human-I-T to help address Detroit’s digital divide. The digital divide is the disconnect between those who have access to computers and the internet and those who do not. human-I-T provides low-income individuals and nonprofits with technology, internet, and digital training.
In 2019, it was estimated that Detroit was the least connected city in the U.S. with greater than 100,000 households. Using this data, Connect 313, a cross-sector collaborative led by Detroit’s Office of Innovation and Technology began developing a strategy to address the gaps and introduced GM to the team at human-I-T.
GM provided a $500,000 grant to human-I-T to launch Detroit operations and sign a lease for a Focus: HOPE-owned warehouse. Two weeks later, COVID-19 forced the world to go remote, and the digital divide in the city of Detroit was thrust to the forefront.
“The launch of human-I-T’s Detroit warehouse could not have come to the city at a better time as the pandemic showed us just how important it is to be connected,” said Lori Wingerter, Chief Philanthropy Officer at General Motors and Connect 313 board member.
Through quick collaboration between the school district, the city and several business and philanthropic organizations, Connected Futures, a public school-based initiative, and Connect 313, a city-wide initiative, were formalized and structured to help address this emergency issue to keep kids learning and adults connected to resources.
With this, GM invested an additional $750,000 to support human-I-T in providing tech support and guidance for 44,000 student households through Connected Futures.
human-I-T has since hired a staff of 36 team members at its Detroit warehouse and plans on scaling that number. human-I-T is also working on expanding its offerings to Detroit residents, including low-cost devices and tech support. Additionally, the organization is establishing a network of Detroit businesses to provide e-waste repurposing and recycling.
Most recently, GM and human-I-T collaborated to donate 100 laptops to Detroit nonprofit Southwest Solutions, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life, success and self-sufficiency of individuals and families in Detroit.
Technology is at the center of opportunity and will continue to be a tool for economic independence and success across the U.S. Addressing the digital divide in Detroit now will help impact generations to come.
