Community

How South Texas’ Collaborative Efforts are Achieving Digital Equity

Published

2 months ago

March 30, 2023

Editor

Earlier this month, San Antonio welcomed and hosted the largest national Net Inclusion conference in the organization’s history. Eight hundred plus digital inclusion practitioners, policymakers, advocates, researchers, and other digital inclusion leaders came together for digital equity. A day before the conference, those who work on ending the digital divide in Texas launched the Texas Digital Equity Network (Texas DEN). As these were momentous occasions marking a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to achieve digital inclusion and equity.

Access to affordable high speed Internet access is a necessary utility, but not all San Antonians have equal access to connectivity, devices, and digital skills. Additionally, many households and small businesses are struggling to keep up with the pace of technology; the high costs of learning new digital skills; and paying for tablets and laptops.

On Jan. 1, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to help households pay for their monthly Internet subscription. Eligible households get $30 a month to help defray the cost of their bill, and up to $100 for an Internet-capable device. This federal subsidy will run out if we don’t work together as city and state to urge Congress to prioritize funding for the ACP program and allow all residents of federally assisted housing to be automatically eligible for the program.

The VIDA San Antonio community project is building four thousand homes equipped with 10-gigabyte capacity fiber. This Southside neighborhood will have Internet fast enough to keep their households connected for generations. As the seventh largest city in the U.S., we should dream big about solutions to meet the needs of a city of our size. To do so we must prioritize the sustainability of our digital inclusion work by building out our local ecosystem. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) defines a digital inclusion ecosystem as “a combination of programs and policies that meet a geographic community’s unique and diverse needs. Coordinating entities work together in an ecosystem to address all aspects of the digital divide, including affordable broadband, devices and skills.”

“Community members and policymakers should engage with the District 3 office on these policy and funding priorities and be part of this critical movement,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran. “Together, we can make a real difference by ensuring that everyone has access to the digital resources and infrastructure they need to thrive. This can be accomplished if practitioners of this work can reach larger groups of constituencies, with greater people power, and if we build upon our community-based actions and reach the people most impacted by the digital divide.”

In partnership with UTSA, Bexar County, and SA Digital Connects, the City of San Antonio Office of Innovation launched a survey to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the digital divide in San Antonio and Bexar County.

The data collected from this survey will have broad impacts for digital inclusion work across the City and County. Deadline to complete the survey is April 30, 2023.

Take the survey today to share how you access the internet and how the internet improves your life.

News from the City of San Antonio

Community

Emotional Emancipation Circles: Nurturing Black Mental Health

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2023

Editor

By Ayana Brown, MHPS

“We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind.” – Marcus Garvey

As Black Americans, we carry the weight of our ancestors’ struggles, resilience, and triumphs. Our collective history is filled with pain, but it is also infused with strength. In the face of ongoing challenges, it is essential for us to prioritize our emotional well-being and seek healing. There are more than 100 types of therapy, yet few are culturally based. Even fewer are made available to Black, Indigenous and People of Color, or the BIPOC community. One powerful tool that can aid in this process is the Emotional Emancipation Circle (EEC).

Emotional Emancipation Circles from the Community Healing Network (CHN) provide a safe and supportive space to confront and heal from the psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Endorsed by the late Maya Angelou in 2009 and supported by the Association of Black Psychologists, EECs are rooted in the understanding that our mental and emotional well-being is as important as our physical health.

These support groups are structured and evidence-based settings where people from the diaspora participate in open and honest talks, allowing us to express the various feelings of being Black. We share our tales, worries, hopes, and dreams with the knowledge that we are not being judged. We offer support to one another via active listening, empathy, and affirmation, forming links of healing and resilience. We also discover our genuine history.

Empowered by what I was first exposed to in Panama, I became a certified facilitator in 2021. I recognize that the BIPOC community struggles with insufficient access to resources and feels their individual needs are overlooked. As a disabled veteran, caregiver, and parent, I am passionate about advocating, consulting, and collaborating with a nationwide network of providers dedicated to education and empowerment. This is a service that REACH Peer Support Services offers to “fill in the gaps” between our community needs and what is offered.

The Community Healing Network has formed these circles globally. If you want to learn more about CHN and other BIPOC-focused mental health resources and services for your church, organization, or family, go to (ReachPeerSupportServices.com). Those who join the newsletter will know about the next EEC location first.

After serving honorably in the United States Navy, Ayana Brown, MHPS, launched REACH Peer Support Services, LLC in 2021 to use her various experiences towards her passion, empowering families to heal with advocacy and non-judgmental support.

Business

San Antonio Airport to Set Record for Travel During Memorial Day Weekend

Published

2 weeks ago

May 25, 2023

Editor

More people are packing their suitcases for trips in and out of San Antonio International Airport (SAT) than ever before. SAT will see a record-breaking number of travelers – close to 190,000 total – from Thursday to Memorial Day. During that 5-day period, there’s an estimated 14% increase in scheduled seats to and from SAT compared to 2019 and a 19% increase since last year.

“We’re expecting the busiest Memorial Day weekend travel in our airport’s history,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “People want to fly and it’s getting more affordable to do so. We are seeing more competitive fares with the addition of Spirit Airlines over the last year – and that’s helping our travelers find better deals on flights that are too good to pass up. We’re also expecting our busiest summer ever, but right now we’re focused on making sure everyone has a smooth experience in the days ahead.”

According to the Transportation Security Administration, here’s a day-by-day breakdown of how many passengers are expected to fly in and out of SAT:

Thursday: 38,514
Friday: 38,600
Saturday: 34,000
Sunday: 38,100
Memorial Day: 37,700

Fly Away Valet has also set records recently. Earlier this month, the company reported a gigantic increase in parking spaces at SAT since the service began in 2020. The service started with 80 spaces and now has 500.

Last week, valet operations were consolidated to the Short-Term Parking Garage for both pick-up and drop-off of vehicles.

For more information and to watch a video showing how to valet park at SAT, please visit the airport’s website.

Community

75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2023

Editor

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, “The Mighty” Southern Region is hosting its 94th Southern Regional Leadership Conference and 55th Southern Regional Amicae Leadership Workshop from June 8 – June 10, 2023. The conference site is the Marriott Rivercenter, located on the River Walk at 101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

The theme,“Celebrating 75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends,” is aligned to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s efforts to address and bring awareness to health disparities and social determinants in Texas and Louisiana. The Southern Regional Leadership Conference is hosting two events that are open for the public to attend: a Health Justice Townhall and a Public Program that includes a Night of Performing Arts.

The Southern Regional Health Justice Townhall is June 8, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be moderated by Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The town hall will provide a platform for open and honest dialogue on health justice, healthcare, health disparities, and social determinants. The panel will consist of experts in the fields of health, civic and social advocates and leaders who serve as Champions for health justice and equity.

“The Mighty” Southern Regional Public Program is June 9, 2023, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It will consist of recognition of San Antonio community leaders who are Embracing the Extraordinary with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and a Night of Performing Arts featuring Billy Ray Shepard.