The Innovation Station: Nick Tobier speaks on State Department sponsored panel
Nick Tobier is one of the featured speakers at this week’s upcoming panel. The Innovation Station: Motor City is the third in a series of events convened by the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of State. Nick will join Joshua Edmonds, City of Detroit’s Director of Digital Inclusion, to speak about current initiatives in Detroit focussed on creativity and technology in the COVID pandemic, including projects underway at the Brightmoor Maker Space.
This panel will examine the issue of connectivity itself. We’ll learn how Detroit is now working to increase digital inclusion and build a culture of digital empowerment that can be a model for other communities.
With more than 50% of households lacking high-speed Internet access, Detroit has been ranked as one of the least connected cities in America. Such a digital divide hinders access to information, job opportunities, and educational and health resources. These challenges have been exacerbated by the current public health situation, since reliance on Internet to go to school, attend telehealth appointments, stay connected with family, and more has increased. That’s why it is inspiring to see that Detroit has sought to tackle this challenge head-on. Both through government initiatives and at the grass-roots level, innovators across Detroit are building solutions that bridge the digital divide with infrastructure, community organizing, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, and initiatives to empower their community.