Hampton University to serve as host for a Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall on Monday, October 2nd, at 6:00 PM at Student Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAMPTON, VA – The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), in collaboration with Hampton University and the City of Hampton, is set to host a transformative community event aimed at addressing the critical need for expanded affordable broadband access in the region.
The “Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall” is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 2nd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the esteemed Hampton University Student Center, conveniently located at 135 Marshall Avenue, Hampton, VA 23668.
The primary objective of this landmark town hall meeting is threefold: to educate, inform, and engage the local community regarding the unprecedented funding opportunities stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021.
The IIJA is a legislative milestone designed to usher in essential infrastructure improvements, especially in communities that have historically been underserved and lack the fundamental resources needed for everyday life. Without active community involvement, there’s a risk that these crucial communities may once again be overlooked.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, in June of this year, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) unveiled an astounding $1.5 billion in funding aimed at closing the digital divide within the state of Virginia. These funds are allocated through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program under the IIJA.
The “Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall” promises to be an enlightening and empowering event that will shed light on the transformative potential of the IIJA and the funding opportunities it presents. By participating in this gathering, community members can play an active role in ensuring that Hampton, VA, and surrounding areas fully benefit from these critical resources.
The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, stands at the forefront of this transformative effort. SFI serves as a catalyst for enhancing freedom in both academic and life choices for students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) by elevating their social and economic mobility. Through close collaboration with partner educational institutions and strategic allies, SFI addresses the wealth gap by promoting affordable access to higher education, offering hands-on professional and life training opportunities, delivering integrated student services, and enhancing technological resources. These efforts not only support students in achieving future personal and professional success on a global scale but also bolster participating institutions, making them more resilient and competitive as pillars within their respective communities.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
MIA YI | Sr. Manager, Marketing and Communications | Student Freedom Initiative
633 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5th Floor; Washington, DC 20004 M 202.768.9356 | myi@studentfreedominitiative.org
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts undergirding. A historically Black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism, serving students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. For more information, visit www.hamptonu.edu.
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Media contact: James Parker, Senior Director of Marketing & Media Relations, Office of University Relations, Hampton University, james.parker@hamptonu.edu, 757-718-2949