From left to right: Hannah Bradley-Cobb (Randolph County), Eileen Coite (Sampson County), Sydney Knowles (Sampson County), Rebecca Jinnette (Bertie County), Kenny Sherin, Ph.D. (Community and Economic Development Program Manager), and Kyndai Bridgers (Nash & Edgecombe Counties) pose at the April 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering.

As your NC Digital Futures Agent with Bertie County Cooperative Extension, I recently had the opportunity to represent our community at a major statewide gathering focused on expanding digital access and skills. Here’s a look at what happened—and why it matters for Bertie.

The Hunt Library at NC State University came alive on Monday, April 28, 2025, as more than 200 digital inclusion leaders, policymakers, and community advocates gathered for the NC Digital Opportunity Gathering. Hosted by the NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI)’s BAND-NC team, the event highlighted efforts across North Carolina to close the digital divide. It also provided N.C. Cooperative Extension’s NC Digital Futures Program with a key opportunity to showcase its work and impact on the ground.

As part of the event’s main programming, NC Digital Futures shared its approach to bridging the digital divide with a hands-on exhibit and expert panel participation. The program’s focus on digital literacy training and internet access in underserved communities resonated with many attendees.

Demonstrating Impact and Earning Recognition

The NC Digital Futures team set up an engaging exhibit space that featured Bertie County’s mobile computer classroom kit and success stories from our agents serving communities across the state. We also highlighted our newest program, NC Work From Anywhere, designed to equip individuals with the digital skills and tools needed to succeed in today’s distributed work environments. This program empowers people to access high-paying job opportunities without leaving their rural communities, allowing them to thrive professionally while staying close to home if they choose.

Momentum built quickly when Maggie Woods, Deputy Director of NCDIT’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, referenced the program’s digital literacy efforts in Bertie County during her opening speech. She shared a photo from Commissioner Saunders’ 2024 Digital Connections Camp at the Educational Vitality Center in Lewiston, putting our rural youth and Extension’s work in the spotlight.

Kenny Sherin, Community and Economic Development Program Manager for N.C. Cooperative Extension, speaks about the NC Digital Futures Program during the opening session of the Spring 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering at NC State University. Jess Epsten, Digital Inclusion Initiative Lead for IEI BAND-NC, stands nearby onstage.

After Maggie’s remarks, Dr. Kenny Sherin—N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Community and Economic Development Program Manager and architect of the NC Digital Futures Program—was invited to speak to the full gathering. He used the opportunity to outline the program’s goals, highlight our team’s on-the-ground efforts, and share how its educators are helping communities build digital skills every day. Reflecting on the experience after the event, he shared:

“The NC Digital Futures team was honored to be part of such an important event. It was an opportunity to show people what digital literacy looks like in action,” Sherin said. “Samantha Graham, Director of Community Initiatives at NCSU IEI, told me, ‘Kenny, you did such a great job hiring your educators. They are outstanding and doing such great work.’ That kind of feedback reaffirms that we are heading in the right direction.”

The gathering also featured a keynote from Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, a nationally recognized expert in digital equity and director at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Turner Lee’s address reinforced the urgent need for inclusive policies that connect all communities—urban, rural, and everywhere in between.

Joining the Statewide Conversation

In addition to the exhibit, NC Digital Futures team members participated in breakout sessions, sharing insights and practical strategies for digital equity. I spoke as a panelist during “Keeping People Safe & Connected Online Across Generations,” discussing digital safety practices across age groups. My teammate from Randolph County, Hannah Bradley-Cobb, also participated, presenting during the “Digital Navigation: Best Practices in a Changing Field” session. Together, these panels reinforced the team’s commitment to thought leadership in the digital inclusion space and showcased the depth of expertise behind the program.

Hannah Bradley-Cobb, NC Digital Futures Agent for Randolph County, shares insights during the “Digital Navigation: Best Practices in a Changing Field” breakout session at the April 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering.

A Step Toward Long-Term Sustainability

While the NC Digital Futures Program currently operates on short-term funding, the event provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with decision-makers shaping the upcoming Digital Opportunity Grant process. Through panel discussions and one-on-one conversations, the team made important connections with potential funders, collaborators, and advocates, setting the stage for future growth and sustainability.

“One of the most impactful aspects of the event was engaging directly with state-level leadership and hearing positive feedback about our work—it was a reminder that we are making a difference,” said Bradley-Cobb. “This is exactly what we need to build momentum toward sustainability for NC Digital Futures, so we can continue serving North Carolina residents.”

Looking Ahead

North Carolina is making significant strides toward universal digital access. Events like the NC Digital Opportunity Gathering help build momentum by uniting organizations and individuals committed to closing the digital divide. For NC Digital Futures, the event was a key milestone—validating the work already underway and laying a strong foundation for the future.

I’m proud to help bring these resources home to Bertie County and to be part of a team working hard to make digital tools and training more accessible for everyone. If you know someone who could benefit from digital skills support, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help. You can contact me at 252-794-6170 or by email at rjinnet@ncsu.edu.

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References

NC State Extension. (n.d.). NC Digital Futures Program. North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://communitydevelopment.ces.ncsu.edu/local-economic-development-programs/nc-digital-futures-program/

NC State Extension. (n.d.). NC Work From Anywhere. North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://communitydevelopment.ces.ncsu.edu/local-economic-development-programs/nc-work-from-anywhere/

NC Broadband. (n.d.). NC Digital Opportunity Gathering. North Carolina Broadband. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://www.ncbroadband.gov/nc-digital-opportunity-gathering

Institute for Emerging Issues. (n.d.). BAND-NC. NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://iei.ncsu.edu/band-nc/