ODIS 2008 In Pictures

Many thanks to Alonzo Young for sending these photos. As you can see in the following images, ODIS engaged a spectrum of community voices on technology access and community internet issues in Oakland. Youth, elders, women, and communities of color diversified discussions and plenary sessions – making for an innovative day that inspired new audiences to become involved in digital inclusion programs and advocacy efforts in Oakland and beyond. To learn more about Media Alliance’s broadband work in Oakland, call Eloise, Broadband Access Project Director at 510-832-9000, or visit the Media Alliance website.

Davey D.’s number one fan and mother, Peggy D., takes a moment to catch up with ODIS 2008 Coordinator and Media Alliance Broadband Access Project Director Eloise S. Lee (left) before the opening festivities.

Kiana, the daughter of First Voice Co-Director Rainjita Yang-Gessler, finds a quiet corner amidst all the networking.

Dancing Feathers, a Native American Youth Pow-wow dance troupe, welcomes participants with their energy and spirit.

A visual from the morning plenary, “Bridging the Gap: How Communities Attack the Digital Divide”.

Cynthia Mackey, consultant and member of the Mayor Dellums Citizen Task Force on Universal Access, listens to comments from ODIS participants.

David Glover, the Executive Director of the Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal, discusses their approach to bridging the digital divide in East Oakland through the development of Eastmont Computing Center and Lion Creek Crossings – a technology access hub in the heart of what was notoriously known as 6-9 Village. Depicted in the film New Jack City, 6-9 Village is now home to Lion Creek Corssings, a mixed income housing community featuring a state of the art technology center that welcomes community residents, youth, and seniors to use their facility free of charge.

Laura Valdez, Executive Director of Caminos Pathways in San Francisco’s Mission District, describes their innovative approach in engaging Latino immigrant women in digital inclusion programs as both users and content creators.

Dr. Faye McNair-Knox, Executive Director of One East Palo Alto, sheds insight on the need to build value for technology in historically marginalized neighborhoods.

Solomon Hill, Technology Director at One East Palo Alto, describes their approach to building a sustainable and community driven wireless network in East Palo Alto, CA.

Xavier Leonard, Executive Director of Heads on Fire in San Diego, speaks passionately on approaches that stimulate under represented voices to create their own content through emerging media and internet technologies.

Esme Vos, Founder of Muniwireless(dot)com describes the municipal wireless networks that are underway in European countries – proving that, comparatively, the U.S. has still a ways to go in creating a business model that is sustainable and community driven.

Greg Epler Wood from Vermont’s tri-play ownership project offers a refreshing approach to broadband access in the U.S.

In between plenary and break out sessions, ODIS participants gathered around tables and info booths showcasing the programs and projects of Bay Area media and digital inclusion advocacy groups, including the National Radio Project, OTX-West, Eastmont Computing Center, Media Action Marin, ZeroDivide, Community Technology Network and the First Voice Apprenticeship Program at KPFA.

Laura Flynn from the Women of Color Resource Center, answers questions.

Lisa Rudman from the National Radio Project, prepares for the next wave of visitors.

Marnie De Guzman from One Economy and Rene De Guzman from the Oakland Museum discuss points covered in Davey D.’s keynote presentation (far right).

Martha Wallner, Media Alliance and ODIS 2008 volunteer, greets participants at the registration table.

~ by internet4all on March 1, 2008.