After many iterations in Detroit and New York, the Digital Stewards Program began to see new life as Gigabit fiber was introduced in the city of Detroit, threatening to widen an already oppressive digital divide.

In 2015, DCTP introduced the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII), an attempt to redistribute power, resources, and connectivity to the most marginalized of Detroiters. It began with partners in three neighborhoods: Islandview, North End, and Southwest.

DCTP addresses how Detroiters are impacted by broader systems of data collection and surveillance technologies, both on and offline. How much did folks know about their digital data bodies? How much could they protect themselves?

The Data Justice Program was introduced in 2016, just as the city was ramping up promotion of Detroit’s Open Data portal. It quickly blossomed into a vital companion to EII and the work of the Detroit Digital Justice Coalition.