Assisting Rural African American Faith Communities with Broadband Access
The FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), launched in 2021, provided discounted broadband services to low-income households, helping 21 million Americans stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Skinner Leadership Institute and faith leaders in the South significantly increased ACP participation in black rural communities through education and advocacy.
Unfortunately, funding for the ACP ended in June 2024, causing the program to be discontinued. With your help, we can push for Congress to renew the funding and get this service back.
Let your voice be heard by downloading our advocacy tools to help equip you with materials to educate your elected representatives about the negative impact on your faith community's quality of life from not having affordable local broadband carriers.
Understand the Impact
ADVOCATE IN YOUR STATE
About 21 percent of Alabama's household population received benefits from the ACP with over 400,000 subscribers.
ALABAMA CONNECTIVITY
TESTIMONIALS
Felicia Jones, FL
"..loss of the ACP is the loss of high-speed internet service on my phone when away from home wifi. I'm unable to afford the lower cost internet plan provided by my provider"
Ida Davis, NC
"I was thrilled to enroll in ACP and benefit from the $30 off my internet bill, especially since I'm on a fixed income. I was able to apply the discount to basic household needs like groceries."
McDowell Family, NC
"We are retired and live on a fixed income. With the challenges of increase in food prices, the monthly $30 discount off our internet bill through the ACP allows us to apply the savings to our rising food costs."
Christia Sawyer, FL
"We benefitted greatly from the ACP because the $30 discount on our monthly internet bill was applied to basic family household needs like groceries, school supplies, and medicine. We can't afford the internet plan offered after the program ended."
WITHOUT BROADBAND, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO...
Access Telehealth Services
Utilize Online Educational Services
Watch Faith Based Services
Stay Connected with Loved Ones
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO...
Write an Advocacy Letter
to your elected representatives.
Attend Virtual Webinars
and online meetings to discuss potential alternatives to the ACP benefits.
