Members of Congress from the Tech Accountability Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus address net neutrality and the consumer bill of rights, broadcast and cable piracy, online privacy legislation (such as the GDPR, the White House initiative under the National Economic Council and the upcoming FTC hearings on consumer privacy legislation, and consumer privacy initiatives at NTIA); algorithm discrimination; media ownership; inmate calling rates and recent legislation to provide relief in light of migrant detainees being separated from their children; and other issues impacting communities of color.
Welcome:
Maurita Coley Flippin, Acting President and CEO, MMTC
Moderator:
Alex Hoehn-Saric, Chief Counsel, House Energy & Commerce Committee Democrats
Remarks:- Hon Clifford B. Stearns, Member of Congress Emeritus; Co-Chair, Telecom and Internet Policy Taskforce
- Hon. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, Member of Congress Emeritus; Co-Chair, Telecom and Internet Policy Taskforce
- Hon. Angela Angel, Delegate, Maryland General Assembly (25th District); National Corresponding Secretary, National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women
- Hon. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Co-Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force; Member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Hon. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Co-Chair, Tech Accountability Caucus; Member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Hon. Barbara Lee, (D-CA), Co-Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Care Task Force; Member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Hon. Bobby Rush (D-IO), Member, U.S. House of Representatives
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Experts in business, labor, government, and workforce and supplier development discuss the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, and disruptive technologies on the availability of jobs, and how best to fill the skills gaps. The session includes a discussion of apprenticeship as the solution to closing the wealth and skills gaps in diverse communities, and a discussion of the Wireless Infrastructure Apprenticeship Access Initiative (WIAAI), a consortium funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and led by the National Urban League in partnership with the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) and the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC). Speakers also discuss the International Entrepreneurs Rule and its impact on foreign-born techpreneurs.
- Rikin Thakker, Ph.D., VP & Chief Telecom & Spectrum Policy Officer, MMTC
- Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia (Invited)
- Spencer Overton, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
- Deb Bennett, Training Consultant and Director of Apprenticeship, Wireless Infrastructure Association; National Sponsor Facilitator, TIRAP
- Brandi Colander, Head of External Relations, D&I, Charter
- Debbie Goldman, Research Director and Telecommunications Policy Director, Communications Workers of America
- Ron Marlow, Vice President for Workforce Development, National Urban League
- Spencer Overton, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
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Experts discuss the challenges and incentives for cities and communities that are stimulating the deployment of advanced telecommunications technologies. Issues include unlicensed spectrum, the upcoming Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) auctions, and allocation schemes designed to reduce spectrum shortage. What exactly is “smart deregulation,” and how can we ensure that it benefits communities of color and other underrepresented populations? What are the dangers of deregulation, and how do we protect vulnerable communities from them?
- Ari Q. Fitzgerald, Partner, Hogan Lovells; Secretary, MMTC Board of Directors
- Donna Epps, Vice President of Public Policy and Strategic Alliances, Verizon
- Hank Hultquist, Vice President, Federal Regulatory, AT&T
- Derek Khlopin, Senior Advisor · Office of the Assistant Secretary, NTIA, US Department of Commerce
- Jenell Trigg, Member, Lerman Senter PLLC; Member, MMTC Board of Advisors
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MMTC presents Hon. Mignon L. Clyburn, first African American woman commissioner and first woman FCC chair, with its highest honor, the Everett C. Parker Lifetime Achievement Award. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, other FCC commissioners, and FCC senior staff deliver remarks addressing FCC priorities to expand access to capital and opportunities. Commissioners discuss spectrum policy, incubators, net neutrality, broadband deregulatory initiatives, and other issues before the Commission.
- Ronald Johnson, Chair and Treasurer, MMTC Board of Directors
- Bishop Steven Smith, Executive Director of the Media and Telecommunications Project and Public Policy Institute, RainbowPUSH Coalition
- Deborah Taylor Tate, Former Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission; Executive Director, Tennessee Supreme Court Office of the Courts; Vice Chair, MMTC Board of Directors
- Ajit Pai, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (Via Video)
- Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Accepted by: Allison May, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Mignon L. Clyburn, Former Commissioner and Acting Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission
- Tyrone Brown, Former Commissioner, FCC; Consulting Counsel, Wiley Rein
- Brent Wilkes, Former President and CEO, LULAC
- James Clyburn, Member, U.S. House of Representatives
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YouTubeTV recently broadcast the NBA Finals, a mega-event that broadcasters used to dominate. What do broadcasters need to thrive in an increasingly competitive video environment? What steps are diverse cable networks taking to ensure their content is monetized in a cord-cutting environment? How can multicultural content providers monetize their content over-the-top? Media and broadcasting entrepreneurs and experts highlight the impact of tech disruption, piracy, and other factors on broadcasting and cable, possible adjustments to their business models, and the importance of diversity in media and telecom ownership and storytelling. Representatives from MMTC’s Media and Telecom Brokerage also outline opportunities diverse entrepreneurs.
- Nicolaine Lazarre, Esq., President, MMTC Broadcasting; General Counsel and Senior Vice President, National Urban League
- Jayne Cubbage, Assistant Professor, Bowie State University
- DuJuan McCoy, Owner, President, and CEO, Bayou City Broadcasting
- Melody Cooper, President, Midway Broadcasting – WVON, Chicago
- Victoria Jeffries, Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, Public Policy, Univision
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Financing experts in FinTech, incubators, crowdfunding, cryptocurrency, and traditional VCs discuss the potential and pitfalls of innovative funding strategies that have become available to entrepreneurs and startups in the evolving financing and technology landscape. Experts also discuss development opportunities for diverse suppliers.
- Francisco Montero, Partner, Fletcher Heald & Hildreth; Member, MMTC Board of Directors
- William Michael Cunningham, Founder, Creative Investment Research; Managing Partner, National Crowdfunding Services
- Maureen Murat, CEO, Crowdie Advisors
- Aaron Saunders, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusive Innovation Incubator (In3)
- Diane Sutter, President and CEO, ShootingStar Broadcasting
- Sanford Williams, Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO), Federal Communications Commission
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