NASCIO Conference Attendees Give Back Over $8,000 to Help Close Digital Divide in D.C.

LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, May 22, 2019 —The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) provided a $8,391 donation to Washington, D.C. based Byte Back. Donations were collected during the NASCIO Midyear Conference in National Harbor through the Give Back program to thank the host community. NASCIO state, corporate and nonprofit members donated $5,391 through individual contributions and NASCIO provided a $3,000 donation.

“Bridging the digital divide by empowering diverse students and building the future technology workforce are vital to the work of state CIOs,” said James Collins, NASCIO President and Delaware CIO. “I could not be more proud of the generosity of our members’ support of Byte Back in its efforts to help adult students become part of the digital economy and change the face of the tech sector.”

Byte Back is an organization that helps diverse adults who have been left behind by the digital divide build a foundation of computer skills, earn tech certifications and become part of the growing digital economy. Graduates who were hired in 2018 started earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back.

“The generosity of NASCIO and its members will help Byte Back students move up a pathway of free tech training and into living-wage careers. It means so much to feel the support from the IT sector – from our own Washington, DC CTO to leaders around the country. NASCIO has helped put tech within reach for a group of diverse, talented people. The impact on Byte Back graduates could last for a lifetime,” said Elizabeth Lindsey, Byte Back Executive Director.

To learn more about Byte Back, visit www.byteback.org.