February is African American History Month, an opportunity to honor the contributions of the Black community across all aspects of society. To kick off the month, we’re spotlighting an office within NTIA that is working to expand broadband access, deployment, and digital equity in vulnerable communities—the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI).

Broadband is basic infrastructure that promotes economic development and social opportunities for all Americans and fosters increased productivity and growth for businesses. Yet many American communities, households, and institutions – especially communities of color – still lack sufficient broadband connectivity and experience significant challenges with digital inclusion, adoption, access, and equity. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advancing equity and broadband expansion so that all Americans can participate in the digital economy is at the core of the OMBI’s work. The OMBI was established in August 2021 and sits within NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG). The office builds upon the foundational work that began under NTIA’s 2019 Minority Broadband Initiative, which involves partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to expand broadband access and leveraging their role as hubs for innovation and economic opportunities in many communities.

The office will also work with federal agencies and state, local, and tribal governments to address broadband deployment and digital equity challenges. Each year, the OMBI will publish a report to Congress on work and progress of the office in expanding access at HBCUs, MSIs, TCUs, and their surrounding anchor communities.

NTIA’s Scott Woods has been appointed to serve as the Director for the OMBI. As part of his responsibilities, Woods oversees the $268 million Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, which provides direct grant funding to expand broadband access, connectivity and digital inclusion programs to eligible HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs, and consortia led by an HBCU, TCU, or MSI that also include a minority business enterprise or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

As director of the OMBI, Woods is committed to conducting continued outreach and engagement around the country, with public, private, philanthropic and community partners, to ensure that the communities most in need will receive funding and support and to ensure that universal, affordable broadband is available to all Americans.

“By partnering with HBCUs, TCUs, MSIs, and their surrounding communities, our office will continue to make progress toward eliminating the digital divide and supporting these institutions as hubs of innovation to serve as catalysts for broadband access and digital equity in unserved and underserved communities,” said Mr. Woods. “We look forward to building upon and expanding the work and relationships that were formed through the Minority Broadband Initiative as these institutions and communities are essential to the American economy, small businesses, educating students and keeping all Americans healthy and safe.”

While much progress remains, NTIA is proud to work toward improving broadband access and digital equity in vulnerable communities and celebrates the accomplishments of the OMBI to date.