Date: February 22, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM ET
Location: Room 6+7, Together SC Summit
Speakers: Quinetha Frasier, Ericka Plater, Ryan Wilcox
On February 22, 2024, between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM ET, the Together SC Summit will showcase a session with Quinetha Frasier, Co-Manager of the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition (LDEC), and Ryan Wilcox, a member of LDEC and Regional Economic Development Specialist for the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments. Attendees will gain insights into building a regional digital equity coalition and learn from the success of the LDEC in addressing the digital divide.
Ms. Frasier reflected on the inception of LDEC, remarking, “Birthed out a commitment to students and families to return back to school and work ‘better than before’ after the COVID pandemic, since 2020, LDEC has convened practitioners, policymakers, educators and community influencers, to decide how we use broadband internet as a tool for resiliency and economic mobility.”
The session will focus on understanding the process and tactics used by the LDEC to establish shared local priorities, based on needs identified by the community. Attendees will learn how the coalition brought together diverse stakeholders from private, public, and nonprofit sectors to create an inclusive, unified voice of advocacy supporting post-pandemic community resiliency efforts.
“By bringing a diverse group of organizations together and asking them to focus on specific issues, the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition was able to foster an environment that rapidly turned ideas into action, creating positive impacts,” says Mr. Wilcox.
The session promises to equip attendees with actionable strategies and insights on how to build a coalition focused on eliminating the digital divide in their respective regions.
For more information or to register for the Together SC Summit, please visit: https://www.togethersc.org/events/2024-nonprofit-summit
Quinetha “Que” Frasier, a daughter of the U.S. South, is a global management consultant, environmentalist, and philanthropist dedicated to fostering economic mobility for the children of women in the Gullah Geechee Corridor. As co-founder of the Southern Equity Collective (SEq) and CEO of her US-based nonprofit organization, she leads initiatives in diversity, inclusion, and equity consulting. Additionally, Ms. Fraiser co-manages the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition (LDEC), which promotes digital inclusion across the Charleston/North Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area. She is also the founder of the Global Foundation for Education and Economic Mobility, Inc. (GFEEM), focusing on supporting women and children of color in Kenya and the Gullah-Geechee Cooridor of the Southeastern United States. Ms. Fraiser’s extensive involvement includes serving on various boards such as the S.C. Community Loan Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Palmetto Project, and The Links, Incorporated.
Ryan Wilcox, a founding member of LDEC, serves as the Regional Economic Development Specialist at the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG). Committed to fostering equitable and sustainable economic growth across the region, Mr. Wilcox oversees initiatives aimed at driving prosperity for all residents. BCDCOG plays a crucial role in the region’s economic development landscape, serving as the Economic Development District designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Local Development District designated by the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. Additionally, BCDCOG administers a Revolving Loan Fund, assists with Community Development Block Grants, and serves as a Joint Venture Partner of One Region, where Mr. Wilcox serves as the Managing Director. Through these multifaceted roles, BCDCOG endeavors to create opportunities that ensure a prosperous future for the entire community.
Contact:
Quinetha Frasier
Co-Manager, Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition
Email: Quinetha@tricountycradletocareer.org
Direct: 843-276-2458
Ryan Wilcox
Regional Economic Development Specialist, BCDCOG
Email: ryanw@bcdcog.com
Phone: 843-529-2709
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