The Mississippi Broadband Association (MSBA) is advancing digital equity with the launch of its laptop program in Coahoma County, Mississippi.
In partnership with AT&T, Coahoma Community College (CCC), the Community Foundation of North Mississippi, Delta Access, and Digitunity, MSBA is providing large-screen laptops to 100 eligible participants enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE), Workforce, or Adult Education programs at CCC.
To qualify, participants must meet one or more key criteria: they must be actively enrolled at CCC, have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and/or be recipients of federal assistance programs like SNAP or TANF. The goal of the $25,000 investment is to evaluate how access to these devices can enhance students’ educational outcomes and digital literacy.
Department heads will oversee laptop distribution to students who will benefit most, and the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi will provide Digital Literacy Coaches to ensure students can effectively navigate their educational journeys, gain essential digital skills, and leverage technology for future success.
On January 15, students, department heads, local leaders, and media representatives gathered at Coahoma Community College’s Safe House for the Laptop Investment Ceremony. The event celebrated the program’s launch, emphasizing the power of collaboration, technology, and providing students with tools for success in the digital world.
Quinn Jordan, Executive Director of MSBA, said in a statement, “By providing access to essential technology, we aim to open doors to education and opportunities for students who need it most.”
