Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg Partners with Comcast to Support Digital Equity and Workforce Readiness

Surprise announcements and laptop giveaways also planned

(Charleston, SC): Feb. 24, 2022 – Comcast will host a community celebration with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg to promote local digital equity and workforce readiness. The event will be held February 24^th, from 1p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Arthur Christopher Recreation Center, located at 265 Fishburne Street.

“Comcast’s investment in digital equity over the years has had an incredible impact on our region,” said Mayor Tecklenburg. “I’d like to thank Comcast for advancing future workforce readiness by connecting thousands of low-income metro Charlestonians to the internet.”

The event will highlight the 10th anniversary of Internet Essentials, Comcast’s nationwide broadband adoption program for low-income households with grammar, high school, and college students; seniors; veterans; people with disabilities; and residents enrolled in public assistance and housing assistance programs.

Since its launch in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million Americans to the Internet at home – including more than 35,000 metro Charlestonians.

Internet Essentials functions through a network of thousands of community-based organizations, libraries, schools, and nonprofit partners who raise awareness about the importance of internet for schoolwork and employment, as well as skills training to prepare people for the digital economy.

Local Internet Essentials partners who have received digital literacy grants and training include the Charleston Area Urban League, Charleston Digital Corridor, Communities in Schools of the Charleston Area, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Area Urban League, and the Charleston Chapter of National Society of Black Engineers, among others.

“Advancing digital equity and closing the digital divide are top priorities for Comcast,” said Comcast Regional SVP Jason Gumbs. “We are proud to have the support of Mayor Tecklenburg and our community partners in Charleston as we continue to address digital inequity.”

Today’s announcement by Comcast is part of Project UP, a comprehensive initiative aimed at advancing digital equity in Charleston and across the nation.