# @smartcbus on LinkedIn

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.linkedin.com/posts/digitalinclusionweek-digitalinclusion-connectus-activity-7384626718050840576-NRo9
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71661848-companysmartcbus-linkedin
- **Posted:** 2025-10-16T16:30:09.290+00:00

## Caption

That's a wrap on #DigitalInclusionWeek 👏

💡 At the Central Ohio Digital Inclusion Summit, we moved past the 'why' and focused on the 'how' we make sure digital access and AI literacy are the foundation for our region's inclusive growth and public health.

Here’s just some of what we took away: 
→ Equity as a Mandate, Not an Afterthought - Duwain Pinder (McKinsey) warned that without proactive design, AI amplifies existing inequities. The key? Localized, community-rooted strategies to harness technology for economic mobility. 
→ The System Needs an Upgrade - John Kellogg (CSCC/ESCCO) and Dave Cofer (Columbus State) championed tearing down barriers between K-12, higher ed, and the workforce. Success looks like scalable "earn-while-you-learn" models and more than 10,000 high schoolers already earning college credit.
→ It Starts in Early Childhood -  Mario Basora (Future Ready Five) challenged us to see digital readiness as a kindergarten readiness issue, demanding cross-sector collective impact. The digital divide is an opportunity divide beginning at age five.
→ Health and History are Linked - Amy Sheon (Public Health Innovators) connected the dots: historical redlining now correlates with low broadband access and poor health outcomes. We must train Digital Health Navigators and design tools for the most vulnerable populations.
→ The Biggest Barrier is People - Carey McKay, PHR McKay (HRACO Board) emphasized that organizational fear of change and culture are often the real roadblocks. HR leaders must step up to audit jobs for bias, hire for AI fluency, and embed equity in talent pipelines.

🗣️ Special shoutout to Council Member Nick Bankston for his time at the summit, and for his continuous support for digital inclusion in Central Ohio. 

💻 Now we look toward the next steps to ensure Central Ohio becomes a model for digital inclusion, including the new device donation program, which brings together the private sector and community based organizations to distribute refurbished devices. 

#DigitalInclusion #ConnectUs #WorkforceDevelopment #SmartColumbus #EquityInEducation #DIW2025

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## Tags

digitalinclusion, smartcolumbus, connectus, digitalinclusionweek, workforcedevelopment, diw2025, equityineducation

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