2020 was a turning point for a core part of our mission focused on building opportunity for Detroiters. At the time, Detroit was the least connected city in the United States, a critical issue that was highlighted by the pandemic. What began with the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s Changing the Course initiative to bridge the digital divide has evolved into a comprehensive approach to digital equity that today positions Detroit as a national model for digital inclusion. Detroit’s digital transformation since 2020 exemplifies how strategic partnerships and community-driven initiatives can bridge the digital divide. Since 2020, Changing the Course has allocated $6M towards digital inclusion efforts.
“The Changing the Course initiative has had a transformational impact on Detroit over the past five years. Together, we have built a stronger foundation of digital inclusion by distributing more than 75,000 devices and connecting more than 150,000 families to low-cost internet options. Now we take the next step into digital empowerment to ensure more Detroit residents have the confidence and skills to leverage the digital world in every aspect of their lives. Our work has expanded beyond basic connectivity to encompass the full spectrum of digital empowerment.” — Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of Rocket Community Fund and Rocket Giving Fund board member
Of the $1.6M+ raised during the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, nearly $600,000 was directed toward digital inclusion efforts as part of the “Changing the Course” initiative, benefitting Connect 313, and Human I-T, and the newest RMC beneficiary – Black Tech Saturdays, a nonprofit founded by Johnnie and Alexa Turnage to empower Black professionals and entrepreneurs in tech through skill development and community engagement.
Our partnership with Black Tech Saturdays reflects the evolution of our digital inclusion strategy. We understand that true digital equity requires more than just internet access—it demands comprehensive support for digital literacy, technical skills development, and access to essential digital tools and resources. Black Tech Saturdays exemplifies this need to build pathways that will empower Detroiters to fully participate in the digital economy. Our support of BTS catalyzed the first-ever Digital Empowerment Summit, a three-day, cross-location event with innovative workshops, keynote speakers from tech leaders and entrepreneurs, and the opportunity for local businesses to apply for grants supporting digital inclusion. Alongside BTS and Microsoft, we also hosted AI Explained, an immersive workshop and networking event open to Detroit entrepreneurs and the larger community, that aimed to demystify – and explore the unprecedented possibilities – behind AI.
“The goal is to build a robust ecosystem that supports community tech adoption and education not only in Detroit but across the nation. By attracting and retaining top talent, Detroit has the potential to become a leading hub for tech innovation, challenging traditional tech centers like Silicon Valley.” – Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founder and CEO, Black Tech Saturdays
Meanwhile, this year we continued to increase access to digital resources, devices and literacy by working collaboratively and celebrating milestones like the one-year anniversary of the opening of Human I-T on 7 Mile. This brick-and-mortar digital equity store is the first of its kind in the nation and has supported well thousands of Detroiters with low-cost, high-speed internet access, digital devices, tech support and training since opening in 2023.
Alongside the City of Detroit and other funders, we also celebrated the completion of a pilot project to install free Wi-Fi in five Detroit parks. Residents have access to free Wi-Fi at Bradby, Chandler, Clark, McDuffy and Palmer Parks which has transformed these thriving public spaces into digital access points, ensuring connectivity extends beyond home and work environments. And in the fall, Black Tech Saturdays hosted another AI immersion event in partnership with Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and Wayne State University, tying threads between our approach to digital inclusion and workforce development, preparing Detroit’s next generation of talent with the knowledge, training and mentorship to harness the power of our growing tech ecosystem.
Our digital inclusion progress demonstrates how strategic investment, community partnership, and innovative programming can create lasting change. As we continue to expand our digital equity work and refine our strategy, we remain committed to ensuring every Detroit resident has the digital resources and skills needed to thrive in today’s connected world.