In today’s interconnected world, access to technology is often taken for granted. But for many underprivileged students, the digital divide is a stark reality that limits their educational opportunities and future prospects.
The height of the pandemic underscored the glaring digital resource disparities in Michigan. COVID-19 exacerbated the digital divide, with tens of thousands of Detroit residents lacking access to essential tools like devices, home internet, and technology skills training. Educators discovered that numerous children, particularly those residing in low-income areas, faced challenges due to unreliable internet access and a lack of personal computers or tablets for virtual learning participation. While Michigan took swift action to address these issues, approximately 25% of Detroit households continue to be without a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer within their homes, and 25% are also without internet access. While that is an improvement from the city’s numbers of 39% unconnected homes in 2016, it still highlights the fact that the city’s residents don’t have connectivity.
Dean Hendricks, a passionate entrepreneur and the founder and director of the Hendricks Foundation, has made it his mission to address this critical social issue by providing students with access to computers and empowering them to bridge the gap in educational opportunities through technology.
The Hendricks Foundation, based in Detroit, was born out of Hendricks’ realization of the access disparities plaguing specific communities and inspired by his own struggles. Hendricks shares, “I ended up coming into the computer field through necessity because I did not have the money to purchase the computers that I wanted to. So instead of purchasing them, I had to find some computers around my neighborhood that weren’t working so well, repair them, and use them myself.”
Underprivileged students face a myriad of challenges that hinder their educational progress. One significant hurdle is their limited access to essential educational resources. Unlike their more affluent peers, many of these students cannot afford textbooks, online courses, or tutoring services, leaving them at a disadvantage in their academic pursuits.
Another critical issue contributing to the educational divide is inadequate infrastructure, particularly prevalent in underserved communities. In these areas, the absence of basic technological amenities, such as high-speed internet access and functional computers, poses a substantial barrier. Consequently, students in such communities find it challenging to engage in online learning and complete assignments, further exacerbating the disparities in their educational experiences.
Dean Hendricks understood the limitations and challenges faced by those without access to this essential tool in the digital age. After gaining access to a computer of his own, his passion for technology and computer repair was ignited. This personal journey laid the foundation for his future endeavors in creating the Hendricks Foundation.
The Hendricks Foundation operates primarily in three locations: Detroit, Boston, and Jamaica. In these communities, the foundation has made a significant impact by providing computers and equipping students with valuable skills through computer repair classes. These classes empower young minds with knowledge while offering them the opportunity to take the computers home, setting them on a path towards a brighter future.
“I initially grew up in Boston,” said Hendricks. “I came to Detroit during my high school years and I’ve been a resident ever since. I was originally – officially born in Jamaica. I have family and all of those locations. I really started off just doing this wherever I was at the time. Now it’s turned into something where I’m having an impact in three different locations. And every location is completely different. Nothing is the same in any of them. They all have their own connections, their own roots, their own histories, and their own little ecosystems that you have to learn how to navigate. It’s definitely been fun.”
One of the foundation’s notable initiatives is the donation of computers to students in need. This act of generosity doesn’t just provide a piece of hardware; it unlocks doors to knowledge, information, and a world of possibilities. Furthermore, the foundation ensures that even those who can’t receive donated computers can still access affordable, refurbished machines. By selling these repaired computers at reasonable prices, the Hendricks Foundation ensures that technology remains within reach for all, regardless of their economic circumstances.
“It starts with you. It doesn’t have to be anything major. What I’m doing didn’t start out big. I just started taking some used computers that people weren’t using, repairing them and then getting them in the hands of other students who needed them. This helped me solve two problems that are important to me. One: The E waste epidemic and two: the digital divide. I get to work on the climate, help with workplace development, and I get to further students. I get to help the children, which is something that brings me joy. And it didn’t take too much for me to start. You just need to start.”
The Hendricks Foundation isn’t alone. The city is also doing its part in providing technology and closing the digital divide. Earlier this year, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced the appointment of Christine Burkette as the city’s new Digital Equity Director.
In her role, Burkette has been working to create and implement a strategy around digital equity led by input from the community and groups like Hendricks’, using a data-driven approach.
“Detroit has always been hailed as a mecca of innovation, and I came to work at the city to make sure Detroiters have equal access to high-speed internet they need to educate, train for, and win the jobs of the future,” said Burkette in a statement. “We have to increase expectations, accountability, and outcomes around a sustained plan to close the digital divide for good.”
Empowering underprivileged students – and city residents – through technology access is a moral imperative and an investment in the future. By addressing the digital divide, we can ensure that all students have an equal chance to succeed academically and prepare for the challenges of the modern world. Initiatives aimed at bridging this divide, such as one-to-one device programs, internet connectivity initiatives, and digital literacy training, play a crucial role in creating a more equitable education system. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that no student is left behind in the digital age, and by doing so, we can unlock the untapped potential of countless young minds.
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