SoulCity.us announced today that a sponsorship from Anthem Medicaid Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Anthem Foundation will help bring free internet to school children and vulnerable families in Historic West Las Vegas. A press conference is scheduled for June 5, 2020 at 10:00AM.

SoulCity.us began as a partnership between the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and Harrison House. The NJOF mission is to identify and connect resources that can bridge the digital divide in distressed communities across America.

NJOF accelerated its initiative when the Clark County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jesus Jara, made a cry for support, indicating that 122,000 school aged children were not connected to needed technology. “Most of these underserved youth resided in the Historic Westside and surrounding downtown community, “ he said.

Coordinating the effort is Katie Duncan, Executive Director, Harrison House whose goal is to promote green sustainability and technology. “We teamed up with the Las Vegas Technology Center to accept donated computers, recycle, refurbish and return them to the community.” Micro Information Resources’ Principal Consultant and NJOF President, Steven Williams designed the project, oversees installation and technician training on the most advanced software currently available.

Championing the cause are Clark County School District Trustee Linda Young and Antonio Bowen, who is expected to be elected to fill her vacant seat. Antonio Bowen has single handedly raised $14,000 thus far to install the initial phase of the project. Anthem Medicaid was the first to answer Mr. Bowen’s call for support. Pastors Robert Fowler and Ron Thomas have agreed to allow their buildings to participate. It is expected that KCEP 88.1 FM Radio, Las Vegas Review Journal, Cox Communications and Clark County School District will also become partners. The SoulCity.us Team is Antonio Bowen, Katherine Duncan, Steven Williams, Deborah Evans, Laniece Rogers, Pastor Ron Thomas, Tyrone Armstrong, Michael Muldrew, Jerry Xu, Ken Cheta, Ricky Towers and Shay McGee.

The coronavirus pandemic brought on a new level of distress to an already hurt neighborhood, however wifi.soulcity.us signals a new beginning and hope. Tax deductible contributions can be made to paypal.me/soulcitywifi