As 2020 has been a challenge for many communities, national conversations have often forgotten about the impact this year has had on tribal populations across the country.
On November 17th, Verizon State Government Affairs in conjunction with the Native Americans of Verizon (NAV) Employee Resource Group hosted an online discussion with tribal thought leaders on important technological issues their communities are facing today.
The conversation focused on ways to improve digital equity, the impact of COVID-19, and how non-tribal organizations can engage with tribal communities focused on a common purpose.
The event was moderated by Rima Qureshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Verizon, and can be viewed below.
Remarks By:
Ku’ulei Jakubczak, Director of Local Government, Community Affairs, and Tribal Nations, Verizon
Panelists:
Fawn R. Sharp, President, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI); President, Quinault Indian Nation
Kimball Sekaquaptewa, Chief Technology Officer, Santa Fe Indian School
SmartScripts is an online retail pharmacy delivering services directly to patients and consumers in an entirely virtual format. Pharmacists are able to connect with patients through the phone and videocalls to ensure they are receiving the information they need. Hear more about Telepharmacy services from SmartScripts Founder & CEO Todd Thompson:
Curls on the Block is a program designed to engage girls in science, technology engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) while also embracing and encouraging cultural competence. Analise Harris discusses how COVID-19 has changed their program offerings, and how 5G will increase access to programming like Curls on the Block.
Performance Livestock Analytics, part of Zoetis was founded to provide a digital platform for the livestock industry. Livestock production plays a critical role in the agriculture industry, but had been underserved by ag technology providers, particularly when compared to the row crop industry. Performance Livestock Analytics, part of Zoetis used their our own livestock experience, practical insights from producers, technical expertise of data engineers and previous Silicon Valley experience to create the livestock industry’s first cloud-based platform. Dane Kuper, CEO of Performance Livestock Analytics, part of Zoetis discusses how tech-enabled livestock production has improved the industry.
Certintell is a care management company that enables safety-net providers to make a lasting impact on the health of underserved patients through telehealth. Benjamin Lefever is responsible for leading the Certintell team and continued success, all while ensuring the culture the company was founded on continues to empower national community health centers.
STEMBLAZERS inspires girls to visualize themselves in science, technology, engineering, and math professions. Their long term goal is to reach 1 million girls and influence them to pursue a career in stem. And envision a world where women are equally represented in the stem workforce. Hear from Wendy Merchant, Founder and Executive Director of STEMBLAZERS, discuss how her organization is empowering girls to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
The COVID-19 pandemic uprooted the entire education system. Students and teachers are now starting to return to school, and whether the setting is a physical classroom, virtual, or hybrid model, the new school year will be a big adjustment. Education in a pandemic has highlighted, along with the importance of internet connectivity and computing devices, issues of relevant curriculum, varying pedagogical approaches, and wellness concerns for both teachers and students.
On October 8th, US Tech Future and our event partner, Central Area of the Links, Incorporated (@calinksinc), hosted a discussion on these issues and possible solutions that families and educators can use in navigating the new classroom.
Watch the full conversation and learn more about our speakers below!
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to Verizon employees?
Hear directly from a few Verizon Policy team members in the video below: Marcela Zamora, Vice President of Federal Government Relations; Mario Acosta-Velez, Director of State Government Affairs and External Affairs; Rudy Reyes, Vice President of State Legal, Regulatory, Public Policy and Community Engagement; Jesus Roman, Associate General, Counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs; Sophia Garcia, Executive Director, of Community Affairs and Government Relations; Jay Day, Executive Director, Government and External Affairs; Erica Jacquez, Executive Director of External and Government Affairs; Melanie Figueroa, Director of Government and Community Affairs; and Ku’ulei Jakubczak, Director of Government and Community Affairs
Brian Deutsch discusses how Pivotal Commware is working on fixed wireless access over 5G mmWave that will help network operators to provide more broadband choices for homes and schools.
