Latinitas connects the next generation of women leaders to high speed internet in Central Texas with support from Google Fiber

GFiber works with organizations across the country to connect more people to the benefits of quality internet. In Austin, Latinitas helps young women develop the necessary skills for living in a digital world. Communications Director Salwa Yordi shares their story.

Our mission at Latinitas is to empower all girls to innovate through media and technology. We provide in-person and virtual programming for students to express themselves, develop tech skills, learn about their culture, and discover their unique voice. Every summer the organization hosts “Camp Latinitas” for kids ages eight to 18 to facilitate classes on digital creativity and coding. Without question, reliable high-speed internet is necessary in order to adequately support these students and their innovative projects.

As a Google Fiber Community Connection, Latinitas has relied on our Google Fiber service to provide enriching activities and educational resources that have been seamlessly integrated into our camp activities, including live streaming workshops with guest speakers from around the country. Furthermore, to address the gap in digital literacy skills within the Latino community, Google Fiber has been a remarkable partner in funding Latinitas Digital Parents classes for the past few years.

According to the National League of Cities, only 65% of Hispanic individuals living in the United States have access to a form of broadband connection compared to white (80%) and Black (71%) individuals. In Texas, more than 15% of households lacked broadband in five Central Texas counties (Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Caldwell and Mason), according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates from 2017 to 2021. In addition to the lack of access, there’s also a lack of digital skills within the Latino community. To address this need Google Fiber has been an ongoing partner in funding Latinitas Digital Parents classes for the past few years. 

For the first time, every camper at Latinitas has the ability to interact with industry professionals in real-time virtual sessions, participate in dynamic workshops and collaborate on multimedia projects without disruption due to connectivity. Additionally, the internet's reliability has also facilitated smooth online research, empowering kids to delve deeper into areas of interest and ultimately building up their confidence. 

Latinitas is committed to fostering a generation of tech-savvy leaders. This is a long-term commitment. Connecting our community ensures the mission and vision of our organization remains accessible to all, and we are thankful for partners like Google Fiber who are helping our future generations thrive.

Posted by Salwa Yordi, Communications Director at Latinitas