On Tuesday, Broadband for America was proud to present our grant award ceremony at Brooklyn, New York’s Wayside Tompkins Park Seniors Center. Over 75 community and religious leaders, senior citizens and other guests attended the event. 

Congressman Ed Towns remarked that increasing broadband adoption and use has been among the top priorities of the federal government over the past 18 months. “Beyond being the new currency of the digital age, broadband enables a vast array of opportunities to improve the social, economic and political foundations of our communities,” he said.  “And while it is important that we take strides to ensure that future generations have the chance to benefit from new broadband opportunities, we must also be sure that older, more established members of our communities do not get left behind.”

Broadband for America Advisory Council Member, Ava Parker addressed the crowd on behalf of Broadband for America’s honorary co-chairs Michael Powell and Harold Ford, Jr.  Ms. Parker expressed the mission, goals and objectives of BFA in a very passionate way, connecting the agenda of the coalition to the grants and the work being done in the centers to encourage broadband adoption and use among our seniors.  

Other program participants included:

o   John Jefferson, NY Director of External Affairs
o   Ms. Edna Johnson, Special Assistant to Congressman Ed Towns
o   Broadband for America program grant recipients: Luz Burgos, Director  Wayside Tompkins Park Senior Center, Ayana Swan, Executive Director Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center, Ambrosina Lythcott, Director  Ft. Greene Stuyvesant Heights Senior Center