Advocacy

Since January, 2024, when DEPO-KC was formed, to the present, Esselman and DEPO-KC have taken a lead role, alongside host organization the Kansas City Public Library, in facilitating the monthly Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion meetings in accordance with the Five A strategy:  expanding the awareness of the Coalition, its network of resources, and ensuring that smaller, underrepresented community organizations have a seat at the table.  At the same time, DEPO-KC has taken on national policy work with both the NDIA and the Schools, Healthcare, and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) coalition, co-chairing a monthly policy group called Anchors for Digital Opportunity.  The activities DEPO-KC brings to the community allow smaller organizations to have influence over policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.  Given the constraints placed on resources for any DEI-related work, it has become more important than ever to socialize and support the work of the local practitioners who rely on the internet, computers, and digital skills to serve low-income communities of color and rural areas.