Digital Equity Symposium

Digital Equity Symposium Recap

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Compudopt hosted the first Digital Equity Symposium in Houston to a sold out audience. This event focused on the need in the community for technology access related to devices, connectivity, digital literacy training, and workforce skill development. Following a keynote by Compudopt CEO, Megan Steckly which laid the groundwork for discussion on this critical issue, a panel of four leaders from Houston anchor institutions was facilitated by Comcast's Bryce Kennard, and revealed the need in the community as heard from community members themselves to these non-profit leaders.

The community panel was followed by the Solutions Panel, facilitated by Compudopt Chief Impact Officer, Michael Abensour. With representation from a major carrier, a WISP provider, United Way/Texas 2-1-1, the Greater Houston Partnership and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, this panel demonstrated the diversity of partnership which must come together to create a digital equity plan and deployable solution in Harris County.

Several attendees signed up to continue the conversation as members of a coalition steering committee to create a plan and further the conversation.

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Thank You Featured Speakers

Megan Steckly | CEO, Compudopt

Megan is a globally-minded strategist with 15+ years of experience working in private and nonprofit organizations in the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

She has experience in education, technology, workforce development, arts, and consumer products. Under her leadership, Compudopt has grown from a $280,000 operating budget to $36M, expanded from 1 location to 24+ cities across the United States, and increased service from 700 community members annually to over 20,000+ per year.

Michael Abensour | CIO, Compudopt

Michael has over two decades of leadership roles in the political and nonprofit sector, as an executive director, campaign manager, political consultant and in international relations. In May 2022, he joined Compudopt, a national nonprofit focused on bridging the digital divide for under-resourced children and their communities, working on a number of digital inclusion initiatives from impact measurement to connectivity to STEAM education and device access.

Prior to joining Compudopt, Michael was Senior VP of Policy and Advocacy at Human-I-T, another digital inclusion group based out of Los Angeles.

Laura Alexander | Public Policy Manager, Greater Houston Partnership

Laura Alexander serves as a Public Policy Manager at the Greater Houston Partnership, leading the Partnership’s Tech Policy and Fiscal Issues committees. In this role, Laura collaborates with key stakeholders to advance the Partnership’s legislative priorities related to broadband expansion, digital

inclusion and equity, economic development incentives, and municipal finance.

Prior to joining the Greater Houston Partnership, Laura practiced public finance law in New Orleans after graduating from Louisiana State University in 2015 and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2020. A Louisiana native, Laura served as the Executive Director of Louisiana Institute for Children in Families and has held internships with a New Orleans City Council member and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association.

Avice Chambers | Vice President of Youth Development, YMCA of Greater Houston

Experienced youth development professional with 20+ years of program design and management, specializing in grant administration, strategic planning, program planning and data analysis. Demonstrated success in using data to drive systematic change and maximizing organizational efficacy. Excels at critical analysis, streamlining procedures and supporting team members in merging regulatory compliance and program outcomes to exceed performance goals.

Shane Harris | Branch Services Manager, Harris County Public Library

Shane Harris has more than twenty years of library experience. Presently, he works in an administrative role for Harris County Public Library where he primarily manages special projects like Digital Navigators. Awarded a TSLAC grant to provide Digital Navigators to the Harris County community, we have assisted customers with their digital needs.

Harris County also distributed thousands of chrome books and hotspots to help shrink the digital gap. Harris County Public Library is dedicated to offering digital inclusion and equity through computer classes, free wi-fi, computer access, digital media labs, makerspaces, and more.

Munirih Santiago Jester | Programs Manager, NDIA

Munirih joined the NDIA team in summer 2021. has extensive experience in the field of digital inclusion. For the past 6 years, she has played a leadership role in planning, implementing, expanding, and evaluating digital inclusion efforts in relation to training, devices, connectivity, as well as coalition work. Munirih has worked with local and federal government agencies, nonprofits, and housing authorities to help coordinate and expand digital inclusion awareness, program, policy, planning, and research.

Munirih has served in various roles such as NTEN fellow, Federal Reserve Bank research intern, ConnectHome coordinator, housing policy and data coordinator, and coalition chair. Munirih has an educational background in public policy, nonprofit management, and urban and regional planning and was awarded the national Digital Equity Champion award in 2019.

Bryce Hairston Kennard | Comcast NBCUniversal

Award-winning PR executive, business leader and former TV personality with experience in leading brand management, corporate communications, government and regulatory affairs, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Innovative thinker, storyteller and strategist with a proven track record for delivering business results.

Public Speaking Experience: Brand reputation, Public Policy, Strategic Communications, Business Etiquette, Professional Development, Stakeholder and Community Engagement.

Ernest Lewis III | Sr. Director, Economic Initiatives, BakerRipley

Nonprofit veteran Ernest Lewis III has a diverse background in the areas of management, fund development, media, literacy, arts administration, and community development. The New Orleans' native has called Houston home for 16 years. Ernest has acquired varied experience in developing and shaping signature programming focusing on basic needs, disaster recovery, youth development, adult and family literacy, senior services, workforce development, art education, and homeless prevention.

During 20+ years of service in the nonprofit arena, Ernest has cultivated, secured and managed more than $20 million in private, federal, and public funds to advance the mission of many noteworthy nonprofits in New Orleans and Houston.

Ernest is Treasurer of the Pearland Leadership Foundation and board member of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. The American Leadership Class XL Senior Fellow and Literacy Texas and ARTreach Board President holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business.

He currently serves as Senior Director, Economic Initiatives at BakerRipley.

Jon McClellan | Director, External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T

Jonathon McClellan serves as the Director of External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T Texas, working with state and local governments throughout southeast Texas.

Jon brings with him over a decade of experience with state and national governments, political campaigns, legislative work and advocacy to the AT&T External and Legislative Affairs team.

Thanh Nguyen | Sr. Director of Service Delivery & Strategic Initiatives, United Way of Greater Houston

During her 13 years with the United Way of Greater Houston, she’s had the opportunity to serve in multiple capacities. In her current role as the Sr. Director of Service Delivery and Strategic Initiatives for the 211 Texas/United Way Helpline, she is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the

agency’s 2-1-1’s strategic goals. In addition, she is responsible for developing key partnerships that will help implement outcome-based results for the program.

She is involved in the agency's community equity programs, like the United Way’s THRIVE initiative which promotes family financial stability, and she continues to play a significant role in helping communities and families to get their lives on track.

Her experience includes strategy, organizational development, financial and brand management in nonprofit healthcare and charter school settings.

Thanh is extremely engaged in social & political issues faced by the Vietnamese community in Houston and is a passionate advocate for local and national efforts working to address policy and justice. She is a current member of the National

Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) - a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through leadership development, professional networking, and community service.

Samantha Sherman | CPO, Wesley Community Center

Samantha Sherman serves as the Chief Program Officer at Wesley Community Center, a multi-service community center located in Houston’s Northside. In this role, she leads the operation of Wesley’s Early Childhood Education program, Early Head Start program, Emergency Assistance

programs, Financial Opportunity Center, Out of School Time programs, and Senior Life program. Samantha has over 20 years of experience in community-based non-profit work including time in Minnesota, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota.

Deborah Simpier | CEO & Founder, Althea

Deborah Simpier is CEO and Co-founder of Althea – an innovative SDN routing and micro-transactional billing platform utilizing the blockchain, which empowers open access and multi-stakeholder networks. Althea is also proud to support tribal and rural broadband through partnerships with nonprofits and universities, including the launch of the Tribal Resource Center in 2021. Althea was launched in 2018, and has networks in 7 states and Africa.

Althea partners with fiber networks, like Hub Advanced Networks in Puerto Rico, to explore innovative ways to build in rural and challenging environments. In 2021, Althea launched KeyLTE, a lightweight and scalable LTE core, enabling smart cities, factories, and farms. By building together with the community, value stays local and builds sustainable and resilient connectivity solutions that benefit economic development, education, industry and agriculture.

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AT&T, Recycle Global Exchange, and Compudopt Team Up to Make Electronic Recycling Easier and More Impactful

By Kadein Duncan • May 8, 2025

Houston (May 8, 2025) - AT&T, Recycle Global Exchange (RGX), and Compudopt have joined forces to expand an in-store e-waste collection program that offers the public a simple and impactful way to safely recycle their old personal technology while helping to bridge the digital divide. Building on a successful pilot in 2024, the expanded program will launch across more than 100 AT&T retail locations in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Beginning May 1, consumers can drop off used phones, tablets, and laptops at participating stores with bins for responsible device refurbishment, recycling, or reuse. For every 10 pounds of e-waste collected, AT&T and their nonprofit collaborator, Compudopt, will donate 1 laptop to individuals in need – up to 2,000 laptops. Through this initiative, we’re keeping e-waste out of landfills and empowering individuals and families to thrive in a digital world. "At AT&T, we’re excited to expand this program to additional stores, making it more convenient for the public to recycle electronics in their own communities,” said Roman Smith, Director of Global Environmental Sustainability. “Together, we’re creating a more sustainable future while strengthening connections for people across the country." RGX, a Colorado-based cleantech company, is powering the program’s logistical infrastructure through its technology platform. The RGX system connects enterprise clients like AT&T to a national network of service providers while streamlining workflows, automating job tracking, and reducing management time and expense. By simplifying what can often be a complex process, RGX enables companies to achieve sustainability goals, reduce their carbon footprint, and maximize the value of their retired IT assets. “This is exactly the kind of initiative our platform is designed for,” said Sean Miles, CEO of RGX. “By integrating retail-based collection into a managed system of local recyclers, we’re helping companies like AT&T achieve measurable sustainability results -- without adding administrative complexity. It’s a smarter, more scalable way to handle IT asset disposition.” Collected devices are handled by Compudopt, a national nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide. Devices will be assessed, and laptops that qualify will be refurbished and distributed to students, individuals, and families who lack access to technology. Non-qualifying devices will be safely recycled to avoid landfills. “This program creates a direct line from discarded technology to life-changing access,” said Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt. “By turning stores into collection points, we’re not only keeping harmful materials out of landfills -- we’re delivering opportunity to the people who need it most.” Programs like this help reduce the environmental impact of improperly discarded electronics while recovering valuable materials and delivering real community benefit. To learn more about donating your old devices and to find participating AT&T stores near you, visit att.com/ewaste. About AT&T We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends, and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, c onnect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. ( NYSE:T ) , please visit us at about.att.com . Investors can learn more at investors.att.com. About Recycle Global Exchange (RGX) RGX is a Colorado-based company elevating the backend of the electronics circular economy. Connecting corporate customers with localized e-waste and IT asset disposition (ITAD) vendors, the RGX platform manages the full process -- from competitive bidding to certification of destruction. As a cleantech company, RGX helps reduce environmental impact, increase ROI, and streamline sustainability programs for enterprise clients. Learn more at recyclegx.com . About Compudopt Compudopt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 with a mission to provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth. To date, it has distributed over 147,700 devices to students in need, delivered over 344,000 hours of technology education, connected over 30,000 households to the internet, and diverted over 711 tons of hardware from landfills. Learn more at compudopt.org .

Turn Old Tech Into New Opportunities: Recycle with Compudopt & Micro Center

By Megan Fernandez • April 10, 2025

This Earth Month, we’re celebrating a partnership that does more than reduce waste - it changes lives. Compudopt has teamed up with Micro Center, a leading electronics retailer, to collect working laptops and desktops at all 28 of their locations nationwide. Instead of collecting dust or ending up in a landfill, your old device can power a future. Millions of computers are discarded every year, contributing to a growing e-waste crisis. Through this partnership, we’re putting that tech to better use by refurbishing donated devices and placing them directly into the hands of students and families who need them most. Just ask one of our 5th-grade recipients: He was beaming with excitement as he picked up his very first laptop. He told us, “I’m going to download Blender and another design program as soon as I get home!” He loves designing games at school and couldn’t wait to start building his own 3D animated game. He doesn’t have a name for it yet - but he said, “I just know it’s going to be the coolest game ever!!” Moments like this are why we do what we do. Your support - your donated device - can open a world of possibility. Why It Matters By donating your working device, you’re making a real difference: Bridging the digital divide : Empower students with the tools they need to learn, explore, and create. Reducing e-waste : Extend the life of your tech and keep electronics out of landfills. Creating opportunity : Every device means one more child who can connect, learn, and dream big. How You Can Help Drop off your used, working laptop or desktop at any Micro Center location this Earth Month. It will be securely wiped, refurbished, and given a new life with a student or family in need. Your gift - whether a device or a donation - powers: Technology access for students like our young game designer An honest, scalable solution to the growing e-waste problem Hope and opportunity in communities that need it most Thank You, Micro Center We’re proud to partner with Micro Center in this national effort to promote sustainability and expand opportunity through technology. Their commitment to supporting education and reducing e-waste is helping us change the future, one device at a time. A Lasting Impact This Earth Month, don’t let your old tech go to waste. Put it to work for the planet and a child’s future. Donate Your Old Device Together, we can create opportunities, reduce waste, and inspire the next generation of creators. One laptop. One child. One future transformed .

From E-Waste to Empowerment: Why Recycling Matters with Mission Telecom

By Megan Fernandez • April 1, 2025

This Earth Month, Compudopt is proud to partner with Mission Telecom to spotlight a powerful force for environmental and social change: electronic recycling with purpose. We often think of recycling in terms of paper, plastic, or glass, but what about that unused laptop in your drawer or the 2015 desktop sitting idle in storage? When you donate these devices, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re extending the opportunity to students and families nationwide. The Hidden Cost of E-Waste E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. Electronics may seem harmless when tucked away in a closet, but once discarded improperly, they can release toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment. These substances contaminate soil and water, posing serious threats to ecosystems and public health. Recycling electronics responsibly isn’t optional—it’s essential. Through this partnership, we’re taking meaningful action. From Waste to Worth: Bridging the Digital Divide In 2024 alone, Compudopt diverted 246,820 pounds—or 123.41 U.S. tons—of technology from landfills. But the impact goes beyond environmental preservation. As of 2021, over 5.5 million U.S. households lacked access to a working computer. For these families, it’s not just a missing convenience—it’s a missing lifeline to education, jobs, and healthcare. Together with Mission Telecom, we’re transforming recycled technology into opportunity. We have started our process of providing low-cost internet access to 10,000 devices to reach our goal of 30,000 households nationwide—and we need your help to make it happen. Every recycled device could become: A student’s virtual classroom A job seeker’s career launchpad A family’s connection to telehealth and services Recycle. Donate. Empower. When you recycle your devices with Compudopt and Mission Telecom, you’re choosing to make a difference for the planet and for people. This Earth Month, we invite you to take action: Recycle your unused tech Donate devices or contribute funds to refurbishing efforts Empower families with access to opportunity Click the link below and donate today! compudopt.org/earth-month A Thank You to Mission Telecom—and to You We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mission Telecom, whose continued partnership helps turn every recycled device into a life-changing tool. Together, we’re not just reducing e-waste but building a more empowered, connected future. By donating your old technology, you’re doing more than helping the planet—you’re helping someone take their very first step toward a brighter future because the second life of your device could be a first chance for someone else.