In California, the divide in opportunities within the technology industry is a prevalent issue that Comcast is actively working to solve. In an effort to help close the divide, Comcast granted BRIDGEGOOD with a $50,000 cash contribution to support a new initiative ‘Empower Creative Talent’ aimed at scaling their workforce development efforts in the Bay Area and beyond.
BRIDGEGOOD directly impacts BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) student designers, who face employment barriers to entering and succeeding in the competitive design industry. A 2020 report by the Kapor Center found that Black and Latinx individuals are underrepresented in leadership positions in the tech industry, with only 2% of executive or senior-level roles held by Black individuals and 4% held by Latinx individuals.
Additionally, a 2019 report from Adobe found that while 67% of U.S. designers believe that diversity and inclusion are important for the creative industry, only 33% believe that the industry is doing enough to address these problems. BRIDGEGOOD combats these challenges by providing programs and apprenticeships, such as the Inspire Oakland Design Challenge, Tech Career Incubator, UX Design Apprenticeship, and Community Studio. Each of these initiatives supports BIPOC student designers and increases their access to opportunities in the industry. With Comcast’s contribution and support, BRIDGEGOOD is creating a more inclusive and equitable design industry that better reflects the diversity of our society.
“We believe the combination of technology and creativity is changing the world, and I’m thrilled that Comcast shares a similar ethos by providing the tools and information necessary to close the opportunity gap,” said Shaun Tai, Executive Director & CEO of BRIDGEGOOD. “The resources provided by Comcast to our design students will have a direct impact on their career trajectory and most importantly, the consistent and ongoing support required to enter and flourish in the technology sector.”
“Closing the digital divide and addressing digital equity remain two of Comcast’s top priorities here in the Bay Area and across the nation,” said Ken Maxey, Comcast Corporation. “Organizations like BRIDGEGOOD and their User Experience (UX) programs provide digital and tech literacy resources that are helping to level the playing field and make sure design education is available to everyone who needs it.”
Through Project UP, Comcast is committed to reaching millions of people with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. The Comcast Lift Zones program complements the Internet Essentials program, which since 2011, has helped connect more than 10 million low-income people to the Internet at home. In California, Comcast has connected more than 1.7 million residents, making it the number one state in terms of overall participation in the Internet Essentials program.
Comcast continues to be an avid participant in the Federal Government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible people up to a $30/per month credit toward their Internet and mobile services. New and existing Xfinity Internet or Internet Essentials customers can learn more about the program and sign up by visiting: https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/acp/free-internet.
