Kyla Williams Tate

The Digital Divide: A Migration Story

The digital divide did not begin with the internet; it began with movement. The Digital Divide: A Migration Story traces how the Great Migration and other historical movements across Illinois shaped today's patterns of digital access, trust, and opportunity. Drawing from her research as the Director of Digital Equity for Cook County and as a Marjorie and Charles Benton Opportunity Fellow, Kyla Williams Tate connects the past to the present through stories, data, and lived experience. This program invites audiences to see digital equity not just as a technological goal but as a continuation of a long journey toward freedom, connection, and belonging.

Blending lecture, storytelling, and performance, Kyla engages audiences through poetry, dialogue, and reflection. Participants will hear stories rooted in Illinois history, explore community-driven strategies for digital inclusion, and leave with a deeper understanding of how migration continues to shape access today. Through art and evidence, this presentation reminds us that bridging the digital divide requires both infrastructure and imagination, and that every story of movement carries lessons for how we build a more connected Illinois.

Audience Recommendations

This program is designed for adult audiences and college or graduate students, but it can be adapted for high school learners or intergenerational community events upon request. It resonates with audiences interested in history, culture, technology, and social justice, especially those curious about how the Great Migration continues to shape Illinois today. Ideal groups include local historical societies, libraries, museums, cultural heritage organizations, digital literacy programs, community colleges, and civic engagement groups. It will also appeal to artists, storytellers, educators, and community organizers exploring how creativity can advance social change. Technology advocates, broadband coalitions, and local government or nonprofit leaders working on digital access and equity initiatives may find the presentation especially relevant. Poetry and storytelling groups, as well as students of African American studies, sociology, or communications, will also find meaningful connections between migration, memory, and the modern digital landscape.

Program Logistics

This 60-minute program includes a 45-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes for Q&A and audience reflection. The host should provide a projector and screen for slides and visuals; a microphone for larger spaces; and speakers, if available, for short audio or video clips. The host may provide, but it's not required, a podium, small table for materials, and access to Wi-Fi for displaying the Digital Determinants podcast and digital equity map.

This program can be adapted for various settings including libraries, museums, community centers, and classrooms. Accessibility is a priority, and large-print materials or captioned media can be provided upon request.

Audio or video recording is permitted with prior notice and must be shared only with attendees who are unable to attend the live session. Hosts are welcome to photograph the event for promotional or archival purposes with proper attribution.