In the city of Birmingham, Alabama, three local non-profit organizations – Woodlawn United, Prosper, and Ignite Alabama – have joined forces to address a pressing issue: the lack of high-quality internet access in the city. Recognizing the internet as a necessity rather than a luxury, these organizations aim to bridge the “digital divide” by focusing on the numerous benefits that reliable internet access can provide, such as education, healthcare, economic development, employment, and social connection.
Mashonda S. Taylor, CEO of Woodlawn United, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, “At Woodlawn United, we believe that access to high-quality internet is a fundamental right in today’s society.” The partnership between these organizations is launching an initiative to bring high-quality internet access to underserved and marginalized communities in Birmingham.
Since 2023, Woodlawn United has been actively working to understand the needs of the community and identify the best ways to address them. As part of this effort, they are now accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to identify areas of the city where they can provide access to high-quality internet.
J. W. Carpenter, President of Prosper, expresses his excitement about the partnership, stating, “Prosper is thrilled to partner with Ignite Alabama and Woodlawn United to move the ball forward to close the digital divide for the city of Birmingham.”
Interested individuals can learn more about this initiative and submit an RFP by visiting www.woodlawnunited.org or emailing [email protected]. The goal of this partnership is to ensure that every resident of Birmingham has the opportunity to thrive in today’s digital world.
