2020 was a crazy year and so many digital inclusion activists and practitioners have gone above and beyond to keep up with the increased awareness and demand for digital inclusion knowledge. NDIA is incredibly proud and excited to announce that our Nomination Form for the 2021 Digital Equity Champions is live and awaiting your submissions!

Named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, NDIA created the awards to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity: from promoting the ideal of accessible and affordable communications technology for all Americans to crafting programs and policies that make it a reality.

NDIA will present two awards: the Digital Equity Champion Award will recognize an outstanding individual who has made a difference in the field of digital equity, while the Emerging Leader Award will acknowledge an up-and-coming digital inclusion practitioner. Awards will be presented during NDIA’s Net Inclusion webinar.

Meet the 2020 Champions

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) announced the 2020 Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award winners: City of Long Beach’s Economic and Digital Inclusion Program Manager, Rebecca F. Kauma, and Co-CEO og Tech Goes Home, Daniel Noyes.

Rebecca F. Kauma is a passionate diversity, racial equity and inclusion (DEI) professional with extensive program and project management, community engagement and strategic planning expertise. Rebecca is currently the Economic and Digital Inclusion Program Manager at The City of Long Beach. In this role, she is leading and managing the City’s Economic and Digital Inclusion Initiatives to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color in Long Beach have the opportunities, resources and power they need to thrive economically. Rebecca strives to uplift and empower communities most in need through equitable, inclusive and culturally competent programs, practices, policies and systems change efforts.

Dan has been involved with TGH since 2002 and on staff since the summer of 2010. After spending several years as a Legislative Aide to a U.S. Congressman in Washington, DC, he returned to Boston as the Technology Director at Fenway High School. In 2006, he was hired by the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester to help implement the largest middle school 1:1 laptop initiative in New England. Nothing is more important to Dan than his two adorable little girls (and the Sox winning the WS in 2004).