Only a few days left to register for the 2023 Innovate Michigan! Summit!! The Summit will be held at the Kellogg Conference Center in Lansing this Thursday, August 17th. The agenda includes Dr. Jon Gant who will speak on Bridging the Digital Divide and Advancing Digital Equity.
Dr. Gant joined the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration in early July. NTIA, located within the Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible by law for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. Jon leads the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives within the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth. Dr. Gant is taking charge of NTIA’s and the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth’s work to engage Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), as well as collaborating with all OICG’s grant programs Internet for All including the BEAD and Digital Equity programs.
Dr. Gant’s team at OMBI administers the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. CMC funded 93 HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs with over than $268M to improve internet access and adoption nationwide. In joining the team, Dr. Gant is sharing his experience through his digital inclusion work at North Carolina Central University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Gant is a professor of information systems and public policy where he is considered a thought leader on models for university-led partnerships to bridge the digital divide and advance digital equity to advance economic growth, workforce development, and innovation.
In addition to conducting pathbreaking research on the digital divide, Dr. Gant’s research helps to advance the digital transformation of public sector organizations, examine the future of work and information technology in manufacturing, and develop approaches to address participant engagement in artificial intelligence and precision health research.
The agenda also includes keynote, Dr. Nabil Nasr, CEO of ReMade Institute who will speak on Developing Equitable Community: Business Connection for More Circular Economies.
In addition, this year is the 11th Annual Michigan Inventors Expo which takes place simultaneously with the Innovate Michigan! Summit. In 2012, REI helped seed the Michigan Inventors Coalition. The Expo allows inventors to showcase their products, participate in the “Spin, Pitch and Sell Contest” and takeaway helpful tips to further develop their inventions. Summit attendees are encouraged to visit the many inventor booths located in Big Ten A and CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite invention!
The Innovate Michigan! Summit will also feature presentations on innovative economic development tools, models, programs, and policies from around the state. To view the agenda, click here.
Register for the 2023 Innovate Michigan! Summit today! We look forward to seeing you!