Alliance for Digital Equality
Alliance for Digital Equality is a 501(c)(3) consumer advocacy organization founded in 2007 that promotes broadband access and digital literacy for underserved U.S. minority communities through summits, community councils, and the Learning Without Walls program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Alliance for Digital Equality does
Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE) is a U.S. non-profit, nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Its mission is to bridge the digital divide in underserved and minority communities by advocating for equal broadband access, providing digital literacy education, and serving as an intermediary between these communities and policymakers on technology issues. The organization highlights that 93 million Americans lack broadband at home, with adoption gaps particularly acute among rural, elderly, low-income, African American, and Hispanic populations.
ADE's core offerings are programmatic rather than technology-based. The Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW) program delivers digital literacy training to K-12 students, piloted at North Clayton Middle School in Georgia and later featured on CNN. Digital Empowerment Councils (DEC) operate in at least nine U.S. cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Miami-Dade, Houston, Boston, Charleston, Newark, and Los Angeles) to convene local leaders on broadband adoption. Digital Empowerment Summits are large advocacy events held across multiple cities, drawing policymakers, community leaders, and celebrities. ADE does not build proprietary technology; its "platform" is its community organizing model, coalition network, and convening authority.
The organization is funded through corporate sponsorships and donations, with no products sold and no pricing model. It is supported by a broad coalition of corporate, educational, and civic partners including Cisco, Qualcomm, AT&T, CWA, Northrop Grumman, RBC, AGL Resources, HACU, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Smart Technologies. Founder and Chairman Julius Hollis leads the organization with a small executive team including Executive Director Maynard Scarborough and Deputy Communications Director Roger Salazar. ADE pursues thought leadership via radio ad campaigns with celebrity endorsers (Malik Yoba, Dallas Austin), an active blog, social media, and direct policy engagement with the FCC and other bodies.
Alliance for Digital Equality firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alliance for Digital Equality
- Legal name
- Alliance for Digital Equality
- Website
- https://alliancefordigitalequality.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Alliance for Digital Equality is a 501(c)(3) consumer advocacy organization founded in 2007 that promotes broadband access and digital literacy for underserved U.S. minority communities through summits, community councils, and the Learning Without Walls program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alliance for Digital Equality industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit Digital Equity Advocacy
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good) (BPAGALAK)
Keywords
Where Alliance for Digital Equality is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Alliance for Digital Equality business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorships: ADE receives support from corporate partners who sponsor events and programs. The organization maintains a corporate partnership program where companies can become sponsors to support digital empowerment initiatives in underserved communities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Alliance for Digital Equality product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alliance for Digital Equality is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that operates digital literacy, broadband advocacy, and community empowerment programs for underserved and minority communities. Its core offerings include the Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW) digital literacy program, Digital Empowerment Councils (DEC) that organize local leadership around broadband adoption, and Digital Empowerment Summits that convene policymakers, community leaders, and residents across multiple U.S. cities.
Product overview
Alliance for Digital Equality is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that operates as a programmatic platform rather than a commercial technology product company. Its core offerings consist of three interconnected programs: (1) Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW), a digital literacy initiative targeting underserved students; (2) Digital Empowerment Councils (DEC), community-based leadership programs addressing broadband adoption; and (3) Digital Empowerment Summits, large-scale advocacy events held across multiple cities. The organization serves as a bridge between policymakers and minority communities to ensure equal access to technology and to help the public understand how legislative and regulatory policies regarding new technologies impact their daily lives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW): Digital literacy program designed to provide underserved communities with equal access to technology and computer skills training.
Products and services
- Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW) A digital literacy program designed to provide underserved communities with equal access to technology, enabling students at schools like North Clayton Middle School to develop technology skills.
- Digital Empowerment Councils (DEC)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 300 participants at Newark Digital Empowerment Summit 2010
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Alliance for Digital Equality
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Alliance for Digital Equality technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Alliance for Digital Equality partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Year UpcoreADE partners with Year Up, an organization providing skills training and career opportunities to young adults. ADE Chairman Julius Hollis served as commencement speaker at Year Up Atlanta Graduation.
- Connected Nation, Inc.coreConnected Nation, ADE, Communications Workers of America, American Farm Bureau Federation, and National Grange joined forces to conduct a free webinar for governors' staff and state CIOs/CTOs on broadband grants under the ARRA federal stimulus program.
- Morehouse School of MedicinecoreMorehouse School of Medicine, established in 1975 as the first medical school at a Historically Black College and University in Atlanta, is a coalition member. As a leading educator of primary care physicians and public health practitioners dedicated to serving vulnerable populations, they partner with ADE on health-related digital empowerment initiatives.
- CiscocoreCisco, as a leader in networking and communications technology, supports ADE's mission by providing technology solutions that help connect underserved communities and bridge the digital divide.
- QualcommcoreQualcomm supports ADE through its Wireless Reach initiative, a global program that empowers underserved communities through 3G wireless technologies. Qualcomm works with local and global partners to bring wireless technology to developing communities for improved healthcare, education, and business opportunities.
- Wireless Reach from QualcommcoreWireless Reach has grown into a global initiative with 56 projects in 28 countries focused on empowering underserved communities through wireless technologies. Projects are based on ICT needs, wireless coverage, and partnerships with local NGOs and operators.
- Communication Workers of America (CWA)coreCWA, America's largest communications and media union representing over 700,000 workers, is a key coalition partner. ADE has partnered with CWA to advocate for the AT&T/T-Mobile merger and broadband buildout. CWA President Larry Cohen worked with ADE on jobs and technology initiatives.
- AT&TcoreAT&T is a coalition member supporting ADE's digital equality mission. ADE has engaged with AT&T on issues including the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, advocating that it would create quality jobs and improve wireless communications.
- Northrop GrummansupportingNorthrop Grumman, a leading global security company providing innovative systems in aerospace, electronics, and information systems, is a coalition member supporting ADE's initiatives.
- HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities)coreHACU represents nearly 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success. ADE partnered with HACU for the San Diego Digital Empowerment Summit at HACU's Annual Conference, focusing on digital broadband empowerment and bridging the educational divide.
- Smart TechnologiessupportingSmart Technologies, the world's leading provider of interactive whiteboards with over one million units in classrooms worldwide, is a coalition member supporting educational technology access.
- American Farm Bureau FederationsupportingThe American Farm Bureau Federation partnered with ADE, Connected Nation, CWA, and National Grange for a broadband stimulus webinar focused on rural connectivity and agricultural community needs.
- National GrangesupportingNational Grange partnered with ADE, Connected Nation, CWA, and American Farm Bureau Federation on broadband stimulus initiatives aimed at rural communities.
- Purpose Built CommunitiessupportingADE bid farewell to Shirley Franklin, Senior Advisor to ADE, who became CEO of Purpose Built Communities, Inc., a national nonprofit transforming struggling neighborhoods into sustainable communities. ADE continues to work alongside this organization on community development.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alliance for Digital Equality competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Connected Nation: Non-profit focused on expanding broadband access and adoption in underserved communities; co-hosted ARRA broadband webinars with ADE and shares the same digital divide mission and policy-advocacy model.
- EveryoneOn: National non-profit connecting low-income Americans to affordable internet, computers, and digital literacy training; directly comparable digital inclusion service model and target audience to ADE.
- Benton Institute for Broadband & Society: Public policy think tank dedicated to promoting open, accessible, and affordable broadband; comparable to ADE's FCC engagement and digital equity policy advocacy work.
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance: Coalition of organizations working to eliminate the digital divide through digital literacy, broadband adoption, and public policy advocacy; directly comparable mission and community-organizing model to ADE.
- Digital Promise: Non-profit that works to improve learning opportunities through technology and address equity gaps in education; closely aligned with ADE's LearningWOW digital literacy focus and school-based program delivery.
- NetHope: Non-profit consortium of humanitarian and international development organizations that leverages technology to improve outcomes in underserved communities; overlapping coalition-and-tech-for-equity model.
Emerging players
- Mobile Beacon: Non-profit providing low-cost mobile broadband to nonprofits and underserved communities; aligns with ADE's mission but focuses specifically on mobile broadband access.
- Year Up: Non-profit providing skills training and career opportunities to young adults from underserved communities; ADE partnership (Julius Hollis served as Year Up Atlanta commencement speaker) and overlap on workforce/tech pathways for the same demographic.
- PCs for People: Non-profit distributing refurbished computers and low-cost internet to low-income individuals; intersects with ADE's digital divide mission through complementary device-access programming.
Broad incumbents
- Internet Society: Global non-profit advocating for an open, globally accessible internet; broader in scope than ADE but overlaps significantly on digital inclusion and broadband access policy.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Alliance for Digital Equality social profiles
Digital presenceAlliance for Digital Equality financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alliance for Digital Equality leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Alliance for Digital Equality funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alliance for Digital Equality M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alliance for Digital Equality
What does Alliance for Digital Equality do?
Alliance for Digital Equality is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that operates digital literacy, broadband advocacy, and community empowerment programs for underserved and minority communities. Its core offerings include the Learning Without Walls (LearningWOW) digital literacy program, Digital Empowerment Councils (DEC) that organize local leadership around broadband adoption, and Digital Empowerment Summits that convene policymakers, community leaders, and residents across multiple U.S. cities.
Is Alliance for Digital Equality a public or private company?
Alliance for Digital Equality is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Alliance for Digital Equality founded?
Alliance for Digital Equality was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Alliance for Digital Equality based?
Alliance for Digital Equality is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alliance for Digital Equality make money?
One revenue line is on record: corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Alliance for Digital Equality's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Connected Nation, EveryoneOn, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Digital Promise and NetHope. Emerging players are Mobile Beacon, Year Up and PCs for People. Internet Society is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Alliance for Digital Equality have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alliance for Digital Equality.
What industry is Alliance for Digital Equality in?
Alliance for Digital Equality's product category is Non-profit Digital Equity Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAK, Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good). Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8300.