In December 2025, I had the honor of being selected to join the inaugural Connectivity Policy Corps (CPC), a national initiative led by National Digital Inclusion Alliance and Public Knowledge.
At its core, the CPC is about something simple but often missing from policy conversations: ensuring that the people doing the work in communities every day have a voice in shaping the systems that impact them.
Learn more:
https://www.digitalinclusion.org/cpc/
https://publicknowledge.org/connectivity-policy-corps-building-policy-with-community/
Why This Work Matters
Access to affordable, reliable broadband—and the skills to use it—is no longer optional. It shapes who can access education, apply for jobs, receive healthcare, and fully participate in civic life.
Yet, too often, the policies meant to address these challenges are developed at a distance from the realities on the ground.
The Connectivity Policy Corps is working to close that gap—bringing together practitioners from 14 states to ensure lived experience is considered in policy conversations, to strengthen advocacy around affordability and adoption, and to engage directly with decision-makers at every level.
It’s not just about being in the room. It’s about making sure the right voices are heard once we’re there.
Representing Texas: Collaboration in Action
One of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been collaborating with fellow Texas cohort members—leaders who are deeply embedded in their communities and committed to expanding digital opportunity:
- Armando Cantu, Founder & CEO, Cardboard Project
- Larissa Elliott, Instructional & Curriculum Designer, Howard College
Larissa shared that her experience in the CPC has been both “enlightening and inspiring,” particularly through opportunities like Net Inclusion and the ability to connect more deeply with peers across Texas. She noted that this work has helped shift what can sometimes feel like isolated efforts into something more collective. She says, “Working with my Texas team has made me feel less isolated and like I am part of something that can bring meaningful change.”
She also underscored the role that NDIA has played in fostering these connections: “NDIA has been the catalyst… Everyone is so inspiring and kind.” For Larissa, the goal is clear—advocacy that recognizes digital equity as foundational. She says, “It really is about everything: connectivity, devices, training, and access… without which no one can truly function in our society with any degree of success.”
Armando brought a complementary perspective, grounded in systems thinking and community voice. As he put it: “Infrastructure alone isn’t enough, training alone isn’t enough, and policy alone isn’t enough. But when we align all three, that’s when we start to see real, scalable change.”
Reflecting on his time in the CPC, Armando emphasized both the responsibility and the opportunity: “It’s been an honor to represent Texas alongside incredible colleagues… That shift—from access to opportunity—is what I’m most excited about.” He also highlighted the importance of storytelling as a tool for change, sharing his vision for a statewide effort to elevate community voice: a Texas A.C.T. (Access, Connectivity, Training) storytelling campaign that connects workforce development outcomes to broadband policy.
Across our conversations, a shared theme continues to surface: meaningful policy is rooted in collaboration, and collaboration starts with trust, relationships, and a willingness to listen.
From Community Voice to Policy Action
Through the CPC, we are gaining not only access to policymakers and federal agencies like the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, but also the tools and training to engage more effectively.
This includes learning how to translate community experience into advocacy—how to tell the stories that too often go unheard, and how to ensure those stories inform decisions around broadband access, affordability, and long-term sustainability.
Because, at the end of the day, policy is personal. And the closer it reflects real lived experience, the more effective it becomes.
Looking Ahead
As this work continues into 2026, I find myself both energized and deeply grateful.
It is an honor to work alongside leaders like Armando and Larissa—individuals who bring not only expertise but also clarity of purpose and a genuine commitment to the communities they serve. The opportunity to learn from one another, to align our efforts, and to contribute to a broader national movement is not something I take lightly.
I’m equally appreciative of the leadership from NDIA and Public Knowledge for creating space for this kind of engagement—thoughtfully bringing together practitioners, investing in our growth, and trusting us to help shape what comes next.
If this early chapter is any indication, the Connectivity Policy Corps is not just building stronger policy—it’s building a network of people ready to carry this work forward together.
Get Involved
To learn more about the Connectivity Policy Corps and how you can support digital equity efforts in your community, visit the links above or connect with digitalLIFT to explore partnership opportunities.
#DigitalInclusion #BroadbandAccess #ConnectivityPolicyCorps #DigitalEquity #NDIA #PublicKnowledge #Texas #CommunityDrivenPolicy #UniversalServiceFund #DigitalOpportunity #digitalLIFT
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