Detroit Evening Report: First eight ‘certified tech hubs’ unveiled in Detroit

The city of Detroit has announced the opening of eight new “certified tech hubs” to help ensure residents have equitable access to high-speed internet and basic digital literacy resources.

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Christine Burkette, the city’s digital equity and inclusion director, made the announcement at a press conference earlier this week along with Detroit City Council members and Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison. The event was held at the Dick & Sandy Bauch Campus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan on Tireman Avenue — one of the first locations granted the certification.

To be granted a “certified tech hub” classification, locations must provide free wifi, have devices available for residents to use, offer basic digital literacy training software and be considered a safe environment. Before the certification program, many tech hubs in Detroit failed to meet residents’ needs, with some not even open to the public.

“Equitable access to high-speed internet and digital literacy tools can mean the difference between success and failure for our residents, whether they’re working on schoolwork, finding a job, or navigating workforce training tools,” Bettison said in a news release. “Ensuring our seniors have a place to go to learn how to use the tools they need to keep up in today’s world is also important to us. Director Burkette is doing a great job meeting Detroiters where they are.”

In addition to the Dick & Sandy Dauch Club of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan on Tireman Avenue the other locations granted the certification thus far include:

• Adams Butzel Recreation Center, 10500 Lyndon St.
• Comcast Lift Zone at SAY Detroit Play Center, 19320 Van Dyke Ave.
• Stoudamire Wellness Center at Eastside Community Network, 4401 Conner St.
• Comcast Lift Zone at the Detroit Housing Commission Envision Center, 1047 E. Canfield St.
• Roberto Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley St.
• Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St.
• Detroit Association of Black Organizations, 12048 Grand River Ave.

To learn more about the certified tech hub locations and what tools and resources they offer, visit the city of Detroit’s Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion website at detroitmi.gov/digitalequity.

Other headlines for Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024:

• Opal Grove Games is fostering a community for Black gamers in Detroit, Outlier Media reports.
• Hamtramck’s Kitab Cafe is opening a second location in Detroit’s former Avalon Bakery space, with a soft opening planned for Friday.
• The eighth annual African American Family Book Expo is taking place from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Historic Peoples Community Church, 8601 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
• One Mike Detroit is hosting the Legends of Laughter comedy series this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17, featuring Chicago comedians Michael Colyar and Melanie Comarcho.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.