Advancing Digital Justice: Uncovering the Policy Roots of Broadband Inequities and Proposing Pathways to Inclusive Connectivity in Historically Black Metropolitan Areas
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Authors
Coursey, Lawrence
Issue Date
2025-09
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Digital-Divide , Broadband-Connectivity , Digital-Redlining , Business, Engineering, Science, & Technological Innovation
Alternative Title
Abstract
This qualitative case study explored the persistent effects of racially biased public policies on broadband access within predominantly Black metropolitan areas, focusing specifically on public service institutions in Chicago. The study was prompted by the disproportionate digital disenfranchisement these communities face due to historical and ongoing inequities, which have limited access to reliable broadband infrastructure. The populations most impacted include students, public service leaders, and residents of technologically underserved communites who rely on equitable digital access for education, employment, and public services. Guided by critical race theory, the study aimed to examine how past and current public polices have contributed to broadband disparities and to assess whether existing policy initiatives are effectively mitigating these inequalities. Data were collected through in-depth. semi-structured interviews with 32 public service leaders representing education, library, and recreational institutions across four zones in the Chicago area. The data was analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step approach to identify patterns and themes relevant to the three guiding research questions. Findings revealed three major areas of concern. First, broadband initiatives in schools and public facilities were often reactive, short-term, and inconsistently implemented. Next, current polices remain fragmented, are heavily dependent on economic qualifiers, and lack cohesive planning and accountability across zones. Finally, structural and racial biases persist in broadband policy development and execution, often exacerbated by political instability and leadership turnover. Participants emphasized that despite some improvement efforts, predominantly Black metropolitan areas continue to face significant challenges in achieving digital equity.