Last week, El Puente, a community based arts and human rights organization serving the Brooklyn communities of Williamsburg’s Southside and Bushwick, opened the doors to the very first Community Tech Lab in New York City, in partnership with Community Tech NY (CTNY).
El Puente and CTNY celebrated the launch of the Community Tech Lab with a soft opening event for local community members, students, and staff.
Community members of all ages were invited to tour the new space and engage in a variety of tech training and skill building exercises. They were joined by local elected officials and representatives from the offices of Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Councilmember Jen Gutierrez, , and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. The elected officials were joined by Jodia Vanel, the Federal Program Officer for New York from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). Each representative spoke about the roles policymakers and communities have in bridging the digital divide and the importance of amplifying local voices for large scale policy change.
Watch the Univision coverage of the Lab (in Spanish) or read more about the launch here.
In addition to the presentation and activities, information was shared about the Digital Stewards program, which will be launching soon in the Lab. This program will train and build capacity within the community and youth members to design and build their own internet networks, and engage in community organizing around digital justice. Local residents of Williamsburg and Bushwick, Brooklyn who are interested in building their community’s digital future can sign up to be a Digital Steward at the following link:
Any questions about the Digital Stewards program at El Puente can be directed to info@elpuente.us.
The Community Tech Lab is a partnership between Community Tech NY and El Puente, and is made possible with support from The New York Community Trust.
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