Milky Way Tech Hub will provide 300 laptops to low-income, underserved and underconnected individuals for free in its continued effort to tackle the digital divide.
Milky Way Tech Hub, a Milwaukee-based initiative that works to create a more equitable field for marginalized communities in tech and the founders of Wisconsin Tech Month, have partnered up with organizations to provide HP laptops to the community. Laptops given are aimed for those who wouldn’t have access to a laptop.
This isn’t the first time Milky Way Tech Hub has given away laptops to the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Milky Way Tech Hub realized that there was a large swath of people unable to participate in school or work adequately as many aspects of life moved remotely.
“It was surprising to see, because while we understood there was a gap in internet access, it wasn’t as evident that there were issues with supplying or with the need for devices,” said Nadiyah Johnson, founder of Milky Way Tech Hub. “Since then, we have been working with partners to carry out regular initiatives such as this one to make sure that we are closing the gap.”
The organization is partnering up with Human-i-t, Everyone On and City of Light Church to close that gap. The gap in question is often called the “digital divide.” The term describes the gap between those who have readily available access to computers and the internet, and those who do not.
Wisconsin has made continued efforts to address the digital divide, much like Milky Way Tech Hub has. The state has received funds via the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program — part of 2021’s $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed under former President Joe Biden — but that isn’t enough to address the digital divide alone.
Pushes to get tech into the hands of people instead of just building infrastructure is needed. Acts like the Digital Equity Act, also part of BEAD, and laptop giveaways from community organizations, realize that access to tech is just as important as broad investment.
“As technology, and specifically artificial intelligence, continues to creep up in almost every single industry, we want to make sure that we have upscaling activities,” Johnson said. “But then, of course, we want our community to have the necessary devices to explore these technologies when they’re at home as well.”
A total of 300 laptops will be given away. Advanced reservations have already been filled quickly. Only 250 will be given away to those registrants.
However, an additional reserve of 50 laptops has been set aside for walk-ins for those who didn’t get the chance to register.
Laptops are limited to one per household for those who are of low-income, underserved or underconnected. Johnson encourages walk-ins to arrive as early as possible to get one of the reserve laptops. A valid ID is required at pick-up. There is no required stipulation for what you would need the laptop for, be it for your kids in school or work.
The laptop giveaway will be on Friday, Sept. 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Milky Way Tech Hub, 3803 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee.
