About Us

Our History

  • In May 2022 six digital equity partners came together to establish the California Alliance for Digital Equity, a coalition focused on advancing digital equity and inclusion throughout the state. At the time our initial and urgent goal was to elevate community voices advocating in support of key pieces of digital equity legislation, such as CA Assembly Bill 2748 (Holden), a Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act reform bill.
  • While CADE secured immense philanthropic, non-profit, and community support for many of our legislative priorities, the alliance came head-to-head with heavy industry pushback, which played a significant role in blocking a number of critical digital equity reforms that year.
  • The experience did not dissuade us from continuing our advocacy. Instead, it solidified and intensified our collective mission, making us realize how important it was for the alliance to not only be maintained, but to grow.
  • For too long internet service providers have been the dominant stakeholders engaged on statewide issues relating to device acquisition, broadband access, and digital literacy. Not anymore. It’s time for change, and CADE is ready to lead the charge.

What We Do

Educate

  • Our alliance shares resources and hosts educational events to keep Californians informed of the digital equity issues we face today and how we can work together to solve them.

Connect

  • By joining CADE, public, non-profit, and philanthropic stakeholders can build connections with like-minded advocates across the state that are working to achieve digital equity in their communities.

Advocate

  • Together CADE partners actively advocate for digital equity policy reforms in the California State Legislature, California Public Utilities Commission, and California Department of Technology.
  • To learn more about our latest advocacy efforts, take a look at our 2023 legislative priorities.

“CADE’s power lies behind its ability to bring together so many cross-sectoral partners with common goals, such as delivering fast, affordable, and reliable internet to disconnected families and children in communities of color. To close the digital divide, we must work hand in hand.”

“CADE is driving some of the most impactful digital equity advocacy taking place in California today. Common Sense Media is proud to be a founding partner of the alliance.” 

“CADE harnesses the people’s power by connecting community-centered digital equity advocates from across the state. Together, we prioritize those most impacted by the digital divide who are best positioned to lead California in achieving our collective vision of broadband for all.” 

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