By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission releases the agenda for the Tech
and Communications Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair on Wednesday, April 28, 2021,
from 12:00 noon to 6:45 pm. EDT. The agenda is attached as an appendix to this Public Notice.
The Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group of the Federal Communications Commission’s
(FCC) Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE), ACDDE member Internet
Association and the FCC’s Media Bureau are co-sponsoring the Symposium and Virtual Fair.
Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will welcome the Symposium participants. Edith McCloud, Acting National Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, will deliver keynote remarks. Prior registration is required for the Symposium. Advance registration for the Virtual Fair is closed.
The Tech and Communications Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair will provide information, resources, and support to diverse communications businesses (DCBs), including those focused on legacy communications industries (e.g., radio, television, telecommunications, cable, and satellite), and those engaged in technology-oriented industries seeking business opportunities as vendors, suppliers, or partners with tech and communications companies or government agencies. DCBs include small businesses, minority- and ethnic-owned, women-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and disabled-owned businesses.
The Symposium will include two informative panels from 12 noon – 3:45 pm (EDT). The first panel, Your Tax Dollars at Work: Government Programs and Initiatives, will feature a discussion with representatives from federal, state, and local government agencies on financing and procurement opportunities and trends, highlighting diversity requirements and standards; training, education, and consulting opportunities; and mentoring, incubation, and apprenticeship programs.
The second panel, For We Have Promises to Keep: Private Sector Programs and Initiatives, will showcase representatives from private sector companies and organizations that will also discuss procurement opportunities and trends, highlighting diversity requirements and standards, as well as Tier II efforts and opportunities; training, education, and consulting opportunities; mentoring, incubation, and apprenticeship programs; new and updated funding sources; and discounted or special services and plans for DCBs.
The final component of the program, a Virtual Fair from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm, will feature one-on- one confidential consultations during which small and diverse communications business owners will receive individualized advice on supplier and vendor strategies (Tier I and Tier II); financial support for small and diverse communications businesses; training, educational or consulting programs/initiatives; discounted or special services and products for DCBs; and mentoring, incubation or apprenticeship programs/initiatives. The Virtual Fair is open to DCB owners, managers, and employees.
The companies, organizations and government agencies scheduled to participate in the Virtual Fair include Accompanying Capital, AT&T, Beasley Media Group, LLC, Charter Communications, Comcast Corporation, District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development, Intelligent Waves, LLC, Minority Business Development Agency (US Department of Commerce), National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Paypal, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Verizon, and the Wireless Infrastructure Association.
The Symposium will be presented as a Zoom webinar. To register and join the online event:
- Copy the link below and paste it into your browser: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o4z1mHSRSYyOhtQeGtL8eA
- Complete the requested information and click Register.
- Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email message containing instructions for joining the event, the password, and the link for the Symposium.
Registrants will receive email confirmation of their Symposium registration.
