FCC Diversity Council Pleads That Its Work Should Continue

“Although we started late as a council and have not yet had the opportunity to deliver on our plans, this meeting serves as an opportunity for us to reaffirm the value and collective impact of the CEDC,” Chair Heather Gate told the council in an email obtained by Communications Daily. “Let’s seize this last opportunity under Chairwoman [Jessica] Rosenworcel to advocate for what we are building together and ensure its continuation for the benefit of the broader communities we represent.” In her opening remarks at Friday’s meeting, Gate noted the CEDC's “rich history of collaboration with chairs appointed by presidents from both sides of the political aisle.”

The CEDC’s charter expires in June, but group members told us there's concern that Carr won't allow its work to continue even until then. In remarks kicking off Friday’s meeting, Rosenworcel aide Sanford Williams called the upcoming transition “the elephant in the room." Carr hasn’t commented specifically about the CEDC's future but has promised to end the FCC’s promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. Asked Friday if there was any communication from Carr’s office about the advisory committee's future, CEDC Designated Federal Officer Rodney McDonald told the council that he hadn’t received any information. A CEDC member told us that the members' working group paused efforts on CEDC projects in the runup to Friday’s meeting due to uncertainty about the future and concentrated instead on making a case for the CEDC’s existence under a Republican FCC. Carr's office didn't comment Friday.

The CEDC’s focus on closing the digital divide and bringing broadband to the underserved “is not only about programs, but it's also about the digital competitiveness of the United States when it comes to our global allies,” said CEDC Vice Chair Nicol Turner Lee. “There is so much more to do to ensure that the great investments, both public and private, that we have made in communications infrastructure, remain readily available to all people.” By including diverse members from the private sector, public interest groups, local governments and academia, the CEDC serves an important function, said Gate. “Regardless of what administration is in control, when communities see themselves represented in decision-making, they're more likely to engage,” she said. The CEDC’s work helps ensure that small businesses and local entities can take advantage of FCC programs, said CEDC Vice Chair Susan Au Allen.

During Friday’s meeting, CEDC working groups laid out their plans for 2025 if the council is allowed to finish out its charter. The Digital Empowerment and Inclusion WG plans to a host a post-mortem listening session on the impact of the demise of the affordable connectivity program, which will be used to create a report for the FCC with recommendations for future affordability programs, said Chair Anisa Green. The Innovation and Access WG will examine using podcasts or videos to educate the public about resources available at the FCC and elsewhere for small businesses and new industry entrants, said Chair Julie Wenah. The Diversity and Equity WG is examining ways the FCC could improve access to workforce development resources, said Chair Chris Wood.

After years without a charter, the FCC’s diversity advisory council was revived in 2016 by the agency's last Republican chair, Ajit Pai, Gate noted. “To the incoming chair, we are here,” Gate said at the close of Friday’s meeting. “We are here to serve. We have been volunteering for this for many, many years, some of us [for] decades. And we are here to provide support. We may not always agree with each other, but that's the beauty of this country.”