A.C.T.I.O.N.S. SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

You’ll often hear me say, “We have to stop talking about it…we gotta be about it.” For this month’s article, I had to create a new acronym for one of our “Be About It” partners. Authentic Commitments/Teamwork Inspire Obtaining Needed Services (A.C.T.I.O.N.S.) applies to Duane Arruti, University of New Mexico Chief Information Officer, and his amazing staff.

People of all ages and individuals who are running small and large businesses now must rely almost totally on digital savvy to survive and thrive. I’m proud to announce we have just signed a letter of agreement with the UNM CIO to develop a robust training program to benefit individuals and small businesses who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford essential digital services. Digital inclusion (one of our main priorities) encompasses more than just access to the internet; it also includes knowing how best to use this utility for education, health, workforce development, and everyday life. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Duane and Marth Becktell from the UNM CIO’s office for leveraging their connections with large national corporations like Adobe Systems to benefit the work we are doing for Black communities and the International District. Adobe has donated software and employee expertise to level up our programs and it wouldn’t have happened without A.C.T.I.O.N.S. to include us. For want of a better, more effusive word, I will just say, Asante (“Thank you” in Swahili). Stay tuned, y’all…