IN THE MEDIA

Tom Esselman, Executive Director DPO-KC was a guest on Community Broadband Networks Podcast.

In this episode of the podcast, Chris sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.