By Malcolm Mitchell, Super Bowl Champion, Cox Communications digital equity ambassador
and Founder of the Share the Magic Foundation
“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”
– Maya Angelou
This quote is near and dear to my heart. As an advocate for childhood literacy, I believe literacy creates new adventures and experiences for our kids.
But building better futures and outcomes for our youth doesn’t stop at literacy. In today’s digital-first world, they need internet access and literacy, too. When safely connected, a world of new opportunities arises that may not have been as easily achievable otherwise.
Internet Connection Critical to Learning
I first partnered with Cox in 2021 to help narrow the learning gap in diverse, low-income
communities. I continue my partnership with Cox to further this initiative and complement my organization, the Share the Magic Foundation’s, mission to unlock potential and better the lives of our youth through literacy. We do this through several competitive reading programs across the U.S. to get kids reading.
While books empower our children to learn, grow, and succeed, digital inclusion has an equally transformative impact on their lives.
Cox’s research found that 90% of their customers’ households experienced a positive impact on their children’s education from having affordable, accessible internet. Plus, one-third are a first-generation college graduate as a result of home internet.
Digital Inclusion Expands Our Youth’s Future
To improve digital inclusion, households need the right resources to get and stay connected, to support digital literacy, and to have the devices they need to benefit from the internet.
Cox actively supports the plight toward digital inclusion through several initiatives, including:
- Connect2Compete Internet Plan – a $9.95 per month service for qualifying families
with a child in grades K-12 in the home, who participate in the National School Lunch
Program or other select federal programs such as SNAP. - Cox Mobile Plans – exclusively available to Cox Internet customers, Cox Mobile is an
affordable, reliable mobile service with data plan and device options for the entire family.
Cox Mobile runs on the network that more than 100 million people already rely on,
allowing customers to stay connected on-the-go for as low as $15 per gig per month. - Rural Expansion Efforts – working with local teams across the country, Cox is actively
extending its infrastructure and connectivity access beyond its current footprint to areas
without adequate broadband. - PCs for People – a partnership to connect Cox customers with affordable refurbished
devices to access the internet.Investing in digital literacy is investing in our children’s future – a future where digital inclusion leads to greater outcomes for our youth and our communities.
Creating A World Within Reach
The need for greater digital inclusion is the inspiration behind my latest book, A World Within Reach, which I wrote in partnership with Cox.
The book celebrates the thrill of discovery and endless positive exposure through the power of connectivity. It also highlights the positive impacts internet accessibility can have on improving outcomes and closing the digital divide among our nation’s youth.
Mylo Maxey, the book’s main character, showcases the importance of connectivity and digital literacy as he takes readers through a universe of adventures and experiences powered by the internet, demonstrating its transformative power. Mylo shows how the internet explores our vast and amazing nation – without physically going anywhere – through the internet. Such an experience should be accessible to all.
I invite you to learn more about Cox’s commitment to digital inclusion as well as get your own, free copy of the book by visiting Cox.com/Read.
Finally, to learn more about my vision to change children’s lives through literacy, please
visit www.readwithmalcolm.com.