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The Local Take: Internet Essentials And The Digital Divide With Jackie Joyner Kersee

Kiplyn Primus with Jackie Joyner Kersee

This week on The Local Take I was joined in the studio by Olympic Legend Jackie Joyner Kersee. Jacqueline "Jackie" Joyner-Kersee is an American retired track and field athlete, ranked among the all-time greatest athletes in the heptathlon as well as long jump.  She mentioned that her last Olympics Games were the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

I asked her when did she know that Track and Field would be a lifelong career.  She spoke about participating in track and field events as a little girl and being encouraged by her coaches.  Once she became a teenager she talked about being "consistent" with training and always attempting to shave off seconds and increase lengths by even a tenth of an inch. She shared her wisdom for any other young person who is interested in becoming a Olympian. 

She also explained that she was in Atlanta to promote Digital Inclusion. She is the national representative for Internet Essentials from Comcast. Established in 2011, Internet Essentials, is the nation’s largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative for low-income families. This includes 250,000 residents across the state of Georgia. 

Jackie goes on to explain that the program is reaching out to seniors. She mentions that access to the internet opens a whole new world for seniors that can communicate with family members no matter where they may live. Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income Americans.  

For more information on Jackie Joyner Kersee

For more information on Internet Essentials

For more information on Internet Essentials for Seniors