Last week, digital inclusion leaders from across the country gathered in the Gila River Indian Community, just outside Phoenix, Arizona, for Net Inclusion 2025. Hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), this annual conference convenes practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to share strategies, explore emerging challenges, and strengthen the national movement for digital equity.
This year’s convening marked several important milestones and turning points. Not only did Net Inclusion celebrate its 10th anniversary—having launched in Kansas City in 2016—but it was also the first to be hosted on tribal land. The conference took place amid a rapidly shifting landscape, with major federal funding programs, including the Digital Equity Act and State Capacity grants, recently terminated. These developments added a note of urgency and resolve to the week’s discussions, with advocates reaffirming their commitment to digital justice and calling for new pathways forward.
Kansas City and Missouri were well represented at this year’s gathering, with attendees from Google Fiber, Health Forward Foundation, the Missouri General Assembly, Show Me Broadband, DEPO-KC, and three members of the KC Digital Drive team. Below are reflections from our team members who attended:
Leslie Scott: Storytelling and Environmental Justice in the Age of AI
Key Takeaways: Artificial Intelligence emerged as a central theme, and with it, complex questions about environmental justice. As federal support for climate justice wanes, the potential placement of data centers in marginalized communities—often communities of color—raises significant concerns.
Favorite Moments: Celebrating NDIA’s 10th anniversary and revisiting its Kansas City roots. It was also inspiring to see so many familiar faces from Missouri and to finally meet national partners in person after years of virtual collaboration.
Looking Ahead: I’m leaving with a renewed passion for storytelling. As federal funding becomes more uncertain, our ability to share human-centered narratives will be critical in mobilizing support for digital inclusion at the local and state level.
Leah Henriksen: Learning Through Stories, Art, and Connection
Key Takeaways: Net Inclusion reinforced the wide range of digital inclusion challenges across the country. I connected with practitioners from Arizona to Massachusetts who are addressing barriers in creative and locally relevant ways—from telehealth integration to digital health navigation and digital skills training.
Favorite Moments: A standout session, “Voices of Digital Inclusion: A Creative Showcase of Art, Music, and Words,” encouraged us to think beyond data and reports. Attendees shared stories, zines, poems, songs, and even documentaries. The session was a powerful reminder that digital inclusion work is deeply human—and creative.
Looking Ahead: I’m excited to strengthen our local network through the new connections I made and to apply lessons from the Gila River Indian Community’s success in building broadband and public WiFi infrastructure. (And yes—the cacti-shaped cell towers were unforgettable.)
Gus Livers: Inspiration and Impact from Across the Country
Key Takeaways: Net Inclusion highlighted the incredible momentum happening in digital inclusion, from rural to urban communities. People are building impactful programs, sharing practical tools, and showing up with passion and purpose.
Favorite Moments: I especially appreciated connecting with fellow members of the American Connection Corps (ACC). Exchanging stories and strategies was invaluable. A special congratulations to Ibrahim Emara for receiving the 2025 “Digital Equity Champion – Emerging Leader” award, co-presented by NDIA and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
Looking Ahead: I return to Kansas City motivated to expand multilingual digital skills programs, improve how we track local outcomes, and ensure equity remains front and center in all our efforts. Net Inclusion 2025 reminded me that collaboration and shared learning are powerful tools for progress.
As we continue navigating the uncertain future of federal digital equity investments, gatherings like Net Inclusion are more vital than ever. KC Digital Drive remains committed to building local capacity, strengthening our ecosystem, and connecting with peers across the country to advance digital opportunity for all.
We’re already looking forward to Net Inclusion 2026, which will take place in Chicago next February. Until then, we encourage you to learn more at NDIA’s website and join us in carrying this energy forward across Kansas and Missouri.