Essays and Open Wounds while Waiting for the Apology
Essays and Open Wounds while Waiting for the Apology
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Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood (MKN) is dedicated to promoting computer literacy and computer ownership in the African American community. In 1997, a small group of regular participants on local radio station's Internet discussion board discovered that most of them resided in metropolitan Atlanta. Each day, very constructive discussions took place on the board. Advice to single parents about child care, health tips, employment tips; the group helped each other as well as new Internet surfers who found the web site. Recognizing the uniqueness of the positive force we had created, our Webmaster, Robert Harris, named our group "The Society of Voices." We soon discovered that we had various professional talents - computer programming, law, engineering, information technology pros, etc. As a part of the discussion board, Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood was born as a weekly editorial, featuring the views of Richard Kenyada. Towards the end of that year, the radio station closed down its website and The Society of Voices no longer had an Internet gathering place to call home. By that time, even the Atlanta Constitution Newspaper had featured the group in an article. But we were faced with having to dissolve our cyberspace friendship, as well as the positive vibe we had created as a group of African Americans involved with the new technology. Mr. Kenyada, having absolutely no knowledge of website creation, set out to learn as much as he could, in as little time as possible. And on January 5, 1998... MKN - The Website was launched, with a mission to help the new technology reach more African Americans. Soon after the launching, we set out to form a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that would serve as a rallying beacon for all those who wanted to help further our cause. With the help of Glenn Hearn, Vice President, as well as Darni Bolden, Renee King, Gail and David. We created a cyberspace neighborhood that would welcome all of the African Americans we could lead to the Internet. It is our mission to bridge the so-called "digital divide" between the haves and have-nots, which many experts believe is growing. MKN understands that this divide cannot be bridged by infusing the community with computer hardware alone. We must change some of our peoples' perceptions of the new technology, as well as their priorities. With that in mind, MKN set out to create a program that would meet the challenges of the digital divide on several levels, as well as targeting every generation in our community - from youngsters to senior citizens - leaving no one on the side of the road on this high-tech superhighway. MKN has launched a five-year program, PCs to the People, to address the issue. The program encompasses a multi-layered approach, which includes:
Distributing free used computers to deserving students and the elderly who are disadvantaged
Jessica Sherard, 11, receives a Pentium computer system
Free
Computer workshops for senior citizens conducted at Dr.
Joseph Sessum, Ph.D., teaches Eunice Kirby (80-something)
Annual essay contests for students attending predominately black high schools, with new computers as top prizes. 1999 MKN Essay Contest Winner, Jasmyn Zackery of Southwest DeKalb HS, Georgia poses with mom, Vonzia.
MKN has managed to accomplish a great deal, though our staff is comprised totally of part time volunteers. It is our mission to bring more African Americans online and to spread computer literacy throughout every black community in the nation - from Atlanta Georgia, where we are based, to the smallest rural town with telephone access. We have yet to receive any major funding, and we exist solely on relatively small contributions and community computer donations. But we are determined to meet this challenge head on; ensuring that we leave no one behind as we ascend through the 21st Century. If you
wish to join in this mission, there are several ways in which you can
help us. If your company is upgrading its computers, ask the systems
manager to donate the used Pentiums to MKN, Inc. Telephone:
(770) 981-8065
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