Lunch & Learn
Webinar
Series

The Gift of Digital Inclusion

Celebrate the season of giving with us at this joyful year-end webinar honoring resilience, creativity, and collective strives made across the field of digital inclusion in 2025. Together with partners, digital literacy organizations, learners, navigators, and digitalLIFT team members, we’ll reflect on the inspiring stories that emerged from a challenging year – and the powerful collaborations that made them possible. You’ll hear uplifting learner/trainer pairs share how far they’ve come, partner-staff duos highlight what true joint work looks like, and community leaders offer their tips and strategies for staying strong as we head into the new year. This festive session will celebrate our year’s accomplishments and feature 12 raffle giveaways, including online courses, brand new workshops, and device training curriculum in a variety of languages. Join us as we wrap up the year with gratitude, cheer, community stories, and a special look ahead to 2026!

MHM Digital Divide Simulation: What We Discovered and Why It Matters

A special thank you to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for hosting such a successful event in September, and kudos to KC Digital Drive for moderating its digital divide simulation so effectively. The exercise left a lasting impression, sparking discussion about what equitable access truly means in practice (watch our webinar highlighting KC Digital Drive’s simulation here).

Workforce Development in Hispanic Communities

Panelists include: Nick Avendano, El Buen Samaritano, Zobeida Guerrero, Johanna P. Ballesteros Vargas, AVANCE Austin, Christopher Cordova, Chase, Alejandra Alcaraz and Ethen Baca, digitalLIFT

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through the lens of workforce development and community empowerment. This session will explore how digital skills, financial literacy, and grassroots programs are expanding economic opportunities in Hispanic communities. Hear from leaders in financial services, community health work, and digital inclusion as they share how collaborative efforts are building pathways to career growth and long-term success. We’ll spotlight inspiring initiatives from digitalLIFT’s partners in Methodist Healthcare Ministries, El Buen Samaritano and AVANCE Austin, as well as efforts from Chase that are making a real difference on the ground. You’ll also gain insights from digitalLIFT’s digital navigator staff about how digital inclusion is transforming workforce readiness. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and be part of a conversation about building a more equitable future.

Connective Influence in Leadership by Shannon Hughes

Leadership isn’t just about authority — it’s about connection. Watch a dynamic workshop where Shannon Hughes of Enlivened Studios introduces us to the Connective Influence Model, a simple but powerful framework designed to help leaders build trust, communicate with clarity, and inspire meaningful action. In this high-energy session, we explored how to lead with greater presence and empathy, fostering collaboration across teams and projects. Whether you’re leading a small group or an entire organization, these strategies are practical, impactful, and rooted in human connection.

Beyond the Basics Self Advocacy and Accessibility

Panelists include: Shannon Carr, Austin Mental Health Community, Lynnsi Gillespie, Prosumers International, Valerie Blackmon, Morgan’s MAC, Josie Rose, digitalLIFT

Digital literacy isn’t just about skills — it’s about access, advocacy, and connection. Join us as mental health advocates, accessibility-focused practitioners, and digitalLIFT staff share how digital tools empower people to self-advocate in all aspects of life, including friendships, work, health, learning, and community participation. Through real-world examples from our Methodist Healthcare Ministries partners and others, we’ll explore how creativity, accessibility, and authentic relationships help bridge the digital divide. Presenters will spotlight their unique accessibility programs and show how digital inclusion strengthens mental health, empowers career growth, and supports personal agency. From device modifications to workforce development, this session explores the basics and beyond — showcasing a wide range of accessibility strategies and approaches. Whether you’re a community leader, digital navigator, or accessibility advocate, you’ll leave with new insights, inspiration, and practical ideas to strengthen your own work.

LGBTQIA + Tech Advocacy

Panelists include: Marco Suarez, San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF) Roman Narvaez, Alamo Area Resource Center (AARC) Bailey Allmon, IBM Wayne Wientjes, Living Positive San Antonio

This webinar covers key areas including healthcare access, economic barriers, media representation, and digital advocacy. Topics include barriers LGBTQIA+ folks face in accessing telehealth, housing, and jobs due to limited digital access. The event will highlight the importance of digital literacy in affirming care, promoting safe online engagement, and exploring how media misrepresentation and misinformation harm the community, particularly among youth. It will also examine how advocates and organizations can collaborate to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to resources.

The Role of Generative AI & Digital Literacy in Healthy Aging

In honor of Older Americans Month, we’re excited to present a special session exploring how generative AI and digital literacy can support healthy aging. As AI tools rapidly advance, it’s essential to understand how they can empower older adults—not just in navigating technology, but in enhancing cognitive well-being and social connection.

Jolie Lam, Program Director at CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Berkeley, will share some of her research insights from her work in Hong Kong on how AI can be used to support older populations. This engaging discussion will explore how digital tools can positively shape the future of aging, while also addressing the barriers many older adults face when adopting new technologies.

Life on the Edge of Connectivity:
A Digital Divide Simulation

A FREE immersive experience that sheds light on the profound challenges faced by individuals with limited access to technology. The Digital Divide Simulation, presented by KC Digital Drive, invites participants to step into the shoes of those navigating an analog life in our digital world. Through a series of realistic activities and obstacles, they gain firsthand insight into the compounded difficulties arising from digital exclusion. This eye-opening event not only raises awareness but also fosters empathy, inspiring actionable change within our communities. Learn how this immersive experience sheds light on the profound challenges faced by individuals with limited access to technology and drives attention to this critical issue to bridge the digital divide in Kansas City and beyond.

Neuropsychology & the Aging:
UT Austin Research Initiatives

Panelists include: Rovianne Iris Tindaan, MPH, Clinical Research Associate, and Cecilia Zuniga, Neuropsychology Psychometrist, Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School | University of Texas at Austin.

As we age, memory and cognitive function naturally evolve—but what role does technology play in this process? Join researchers from the Department of Neurology at UT Dell Med as they share research insights about memory, aging, and the impact of digital tools on cognitive health. This session will highlight their work and incorporate client and caregiver perspectives. Whether you’re a professional in the field of digital inclusion, a fellow researcher, an aging adult, or a caregiver, this discussion will provide valuable insights into the intersection of neuropsychology and technology.

Cultural Responsiveness
CTN’s 16+ Years of Lessons Learned

Panelists include: Kami Griffiths, Founding Executive Director, CTN; Catalina Gonzalez, Senior Technical Advisor, World Education; Andres Echeverri, President and CEO, ACSI Translations; and Kaori Hirakawa, CEO, One Language. Raffle Giveaway: Free technology curriculum in your language of choice.

In our digital inclusion efforts, cultural proficiency is essential for promoting social inclusion and addressing the diverse needs of the communities we serve. Learn how CTN’s approach—grounded in over 16 years of meeting people where they are—guides our daily work across languages and cultures. CTN leaders and nonprofit experts share valuable insights, lessons learned, and best practices in instruction, translation, curriculum design, benefits enrollment, and effective communication strategies for everyday interactions. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable lessons and tools for making a lasting impact in your own digital inclusion work.

Look Back & See Forward

Special introduction by CTN’s Founding Executive Director, Kami Griffiths. Raffle Giveaway: Managing Digital Navigators

Join us for an inspiring session with Shannon Hughes, Founder of Enlivened Studios, as she explores the concept of resilience in both organizational and personal contexts. This webinar focused on how leaders can set an example of mental and emotional resilience, especially during times of uncertainty such as navigating organizational changes, awaiting funding decisions, and tackling upcoming challenges this year. Discover actionable strategies to recharge and refresh as we enter 2025 with renewed energy and purpose. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your team or your mindset, this session will equip you with tools to continue your impactful work with resilience and optimism.

The Gift of Digital Inclusion

Panelists: Kami Griffiths, Executive Director & Co-Founder, CTN, Suzanne Larson, Digital Equity Program Coordinator, Mission Road Ministries, Chris Burger, Technology Program Manager, EAH Housing, Shea Wylen, Chief Strategy Officer, Sunrise Austin, Belinda Parker, AmeriCorp VISTA, Opportunity Home San Antonio, Cordelia McGee-Tubb, Design Technologist, eBay, Alejandra Alcaraz, Lead Digital Navigator, CTN, and Skye Downing, Deputy Director, CTN

What a year! As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on some highlights and lessons learned. Partners, leaders, and friends share their insights and tips for staying resilient as we prepare for the winter holidays and the end of the year. To top it off, we give away 12 courses to lucky participants!

Celebrating Caregivers:
Practicing Good Digital Citizenship

Panelists: Lynn Greenblatt, Founder, Caregiving Cafe, Jolie Lam, Program Director, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, UC Berkeley, Hema Ramaswamy, Founder, Sunlit Live

An inspiring session dedicated to caregivers, the essential supporters who empower those in their care to live more independently in our digital world. In this interactive webinar, we explore how caregivers can confidently reinforce the digital skills their loved ones are learning, from using healthcare portals to managing daily online tasks. Our panel, featuring caregivers and their partners, shares practical advice, firsthand experiences, and strategies for overcoming common digital challenges.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

Making AI Useful – Living in a Digital Error

Panelists: Josie Boyle, Curriculum Manager, CTN, and Bekah Wright, LIFT Administrative Manager, CTN

This webinar explores how to effectively integrate AI into your daily work by training it to be a personal assistant. Presenters also share foundational AI concepts to include in digital skills training programs. The session emphasizes the importance of understanding and scrutinizing AI to maximize its potential for creating efficient workflows.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

Authentic Leadership

A special leadership session presented by Lyndsay Dowd, CEO of Heartbeat for Hire.

Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Cook County of Illinois, this webinar explores the core qualities that define authentic leaders, focusing on best practices and creative strategies for leading with empathy and integrity. Participants learn how to inspire their teams not just as managers, but as true role models who foster trust and motivation. In today’s professional landscape, people need more than just a boss—they need a leader who genuinely connects with them and inspires them to achieve their best. Join us to discover how to embody these essential qualities and become the leader your team truly needs.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

Core Principles of Culturally Proficient Training

Panelists: Sabrina Tam, CTN’s Digital Equity Program Manager, Giang (Jen) Tran, CTN’s Trainer, Daphnie Cheung, CTN’s Operations Manager, and CTN’s Trainers, Hyewon Park, Pohn Toommaly, Lyubov Stevens, and Marcela Gamiz.

This webinar features a panel of CTN instructors who specialize in teaching digital skills across a range of cultures and age groups. Participants learn about new languages CTN offers, and hear directly from instructors representing Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Lao. Each instructor shares their unique strategies for effective cultural communication and teaching, emphasizing how language is just one aspect of their comprehensive approach to culturally proficient training.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

The Library Frontier: True Grit

Join us for a continued discussion on our libraries’ crucial efforts to bridge the digital divide across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Tribal Lands. This webinar features insights from panelists Bo Ford (Digital Equity Program Manager, New Mexico State Library) and Taylor Meriwether (Technology and Digital Accessibility Officer, Oklahoma Department of Libraries) who share their experiences and strategies in addressing digital inclusion in these regions. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes in expanding access to technology and digital resources in underserved, rural, geographically isolated, and diverse communities.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

Responsible Social Media?

Panelists: Xandi Wright, Founder, Wright to Learn, and Josie Boyle, CTN’s Curriculum Manager

This webinar explores the impact of social media on mental health, focusing on how platform algorithms can cause addiction and lead to serious issues such as isolation, distorted self-image, and depression. Our panelists delve into these critical topics, raising awareness of the dangers and offering practical strategies to help protect against these negative effects. Join us to learn how to navigate social media responsibly and safeguard your well-being.

CTN’s Day of Equity during Digital Inclusion Week

Patrons, Patients, and Constituents: Health Equity in Aging

Panelists: Patrick Qiu, CTN’s Instructor Support Manager, Patricia Jew, CTN’s Data Quality and Control Manager, and CTN’s Lead Digital Navigators, Ethen Baca and Alejandra Alcaraz.

This webinar focuses on the unique role of digital navigators working with aging populations. Experts discuss the specialized skills needed to address the digital literacy challenges in these environments, highlighting the importance of understanding both the technology and the specific needs of older adults. Participants also learn about the devices and tools that can enhance health equity for aging communities, making digital inclusion more accessible and effective.

Bilingual Training and Bridging the Digital Divide

Panelists: Anna Verbuk, Director, Resident Technology Program, 2Life Communities, Josie Boyle, Curriculum Manager, CTN, Ethen Baca, Lead Digital Navigator, CTN, and Alejandra Alcaraz, Lead Digital Navigator, CTN

Language is fundamental to learning; offering training in a person’s first language is crucial for reaching them, connecting with them, and helping them acquire vital skills. Join us as we feature a panel of digital skills instructors who specialize in teaching across a range of languages. At CTN, we offer readily-available instruction, curriculum, and products in 9+ languages, with the overall capacity to provide these about any topic, for any device, in any language. During this webinar, our panelists share their unique strategies for effective bilingual communication and teaching.

Digital Inclusion and College Students

Panelists: Nina Torres, Founder, Justice Seeds, Belinda Parker, AmeriCorp VISTA, Opportunity Home San Antonio, and Bekah Wright, LMS Administrative Manager, CTN

It’s a common misconception that all young people are adept at using technology and have easy access to the internet. In reality, the digital divide significantly impacts many young folks, particularly those from lower-income families, rural areas, or underserved communities. As students head back to college this month, it’s vital to address how the digital divide impacts their lives, academic success, and future professional opportunities. This is especially relevant as most university programs require digital proficiency, and employers expect graduates to demonstrate core digital skills. Our panel of college students and practitioners provide insights into current challenges and best practices for fostering an inclusive digital environment in higher education​.

Professional Graces: Working With Social Anxieties

Panelists: DeAnne Cuellar, Associate Director for Outreach, Community Broadband Networks, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Cordelia Mcgee-Tubb, Design technologist, Digital Accessibility Specialist (and cartoonist!), and Skye Downing, Director of Programs and Partnerships for CTN.

At work, are you as approachable as you think you are? Do you feel confident in understanding social cues? Are you sure? Join us as we discuss social anxieties in the workplace, with a special focus on digital inclusion efforts. This session provides valuable insights to help us better understand social anxieties, including those related to neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression. This session also offers practical knowledge about how to create more inclusive and supportive environments for everyone.

PRIDE in Digital Inclusion

Panelists: Lo Smith, Senior Programs Manager at NDIA, Arin Rook, Digital Navigator, LGBT Tech, and Shannon Millsaps, Chief Operating Officer, Thrive Regional Partnership

How does the digital divide affect the LGBTQIA+ community? How can our digital navigation work and capacity-building initiatives better address – and meet – the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community? As we work to provide reliable and affordable access to technology, we remember that digital equity is about so much more than that; it’s about ensuring equality, support, and opportunities for all people to live healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives. How can we do this more effectively?

Mental Health Matters

Panelists: Monica Gonzalez, MSW, Digital Equity Supervisor, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Suzanne Heritage, MSSW, Director of Community Partnerships & Policy, Underline, Casandra Madrigal, BA, Trauma Informed Care Certified, Program Coordinator, CTN

The roles of digital navigators are multifaceted, involving not just technical instruction but also empathetic support and understanding of the diverse challenges faced by those lacking access to digital resources. Moreover, for individuals on the wrong side of the digital divide, the inability to access digital resources can perpetuate feelings of exclusion, inadequacy, and frustration, potentially impacting their mental well-being. Thus, integrating mental health awareness into digital skills education is not just a matter of technical proficiency but a vital component of fostering inclusive, supportive communities in the digital age. Join us as we discuss strategies for fostering an environment of empathy, patience, and support so that we not only impart essential digital skills but also contribute to the emotional resilience and life-long empowerment of our learners.

Celebrating Librarians: The Original Digital Navigators

Panelists: Dianne Connery, Development Director of Pottsboro Area Library, Taylor Meriwether, Technology and Digital Accessibility Officer for Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Bo Ford, Digital Equity Program Manager for the New Mexico State Library.

In honor of School Library Month, digitalLIFT celebrates librarians as the most trusted digital navigators in our communities. Despite the rapid changes occurring in these anchor institutions, they remain one of the primary ways to reach and serve those struggling with the digital divide. Join us as our panel discusses the challenges and opportunities that libraries face in our current cultural moment.

AI & Digital Inclusion

Panelists: Alex Seguin, Director of Technology for Austin Urban Technology Movement, Xandi Wright, Founder of Wright to Learn, and Bekah Wright, CTN’s LIFT Administrative Manager

According to recent Pew research, only 6% of internet users understand artificial intelligence. At digitalLIFT, we are committed to responsibly using AI so that it will contribute to digital equity and inclusion for all. But what does this look like? How can AI effectively complement our work endeavors? Discussions include current EdTech initiatives incorporating automation and AI API integration.

CTN Culturally Inclusive Curriculum

Panelists: CTN’s Senior Digital Equity Program Managers, Sabrina Tam, Stephen Minor, and Audrey Potts

In the spirit of promoting culturally inclusive curriculum, CTN’s capacity-building initiative, digitalLIFT, presents key ways to tailor digital literacy & technical training programs to learners in diverse communities. Strategies include cultural competency and sensitivity practices, trauma-informed responses, and an understanding of systemic biases that perpetuate digital marginalization.

How to Support Your Digital Navigator

Panelists: Kami Griffiths, CTN’s Executive Director and Co-Founder, Skye Downing, CTN’s Director of Programs and Partnerships, and Bekah Wright, CTN’s LIFT Administrative Manager.

January is National Mentoring Month. In the spirit of mentorship, CTN’s capacity building initiative, digitalLIFT, presents some key ways managers and leaders can provide crucial support for their organization’s digital navigators.