In 2000, a small team of social entrepreneurs saw the power and potential of technology in bringing financial security and independence to this country’s most disadvantaged residents. The founders of One Economy understood that having access to technology and online information could remove obstacles to opportunity and put people on equal footing to live up to their individual potential.
When One Economy was founded its mission was sometimes a hard one to sell. Many people did not understand the vital role technology would have in shaping and defining our day to day lives around the world. Today there is a general consensus that broadband and access to relevant information is no longer an option but an economic imperative.
Highlights
2000
- One Economy is founded
- One Economy Launches Digital Communities in Washington D.C. and Portland, OR
2001
- First round of computers installed in homes
- The Beehive Launches at an event in Washington D.C.
- The first class of Digital Connectors Program runs in Washington D.C.
2002
- The Beehive reaches one million visitors
- U.S Congress funds One Economy
- Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduce legislation originated by One Economy that would build an incentive into the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to spur the inclusion of high-speed Internet connectivity in affordable housing
2003
- The Beehive passes another milestone at 3 million page views and 500,000 unique visitors
- One Economy wins Webby Business Award
2004
- Beehive users register to vote online
- Presidential candidates Kerry and Bush turn to the Beehive to reach low-income voters
2005
- One Economy launches One Global Economy
- One Economy launched the Bring IT Home campaign, a national effort that changed policy in 42 U.S. state and Washington, DC to include the provision of broadband in the criteria for low-income housing tax credit
- One Economy helps develop LouisianaRebuilds.info for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita
2006
- Beehive Families receive 1.8 million in EITC refunds
- One Economy Corporation successfully launches Campaign for nations first Public Internet Channel (PIC) with honorary co-chairs Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain
- In a $100 Million partnership with AT&T, One Economy Launched AccessAll a multi-state digital adoption project that was the first to deliver home broadband to 150,000 low-income Americans by setting up Wi-fi networks in multi-dwelling units in addition to DSL connections in Habitat for Humanity homes
2007
- One Economy expands its reach to 4 continents launching new Beehives in Turkey and Jordan; the Jordan Beehive receives 30,000 monthly visitors
- One Economy helps connect more than 1,000 families living in Habitat for Humanity homes to high-speed Internet access and computers
- One Economy released “A National Blueprint for Technology & the Public Good”, a policy document that has heavily influence broadband adoption policy in the United States
- One Global Economy launches first major initiative in Durban, South Africa
2008
- One Economy provides Internet access for Hurricane Ike survivors
- The Public Internet Channel (pic.tv) launches Diary of a Single Mom. The series chronicles the lives and challenges of three single mothers and their families trying to get ahead in a world that is trying to hold them under. Produced by renowned director Robert Townsend, the series featured Richard Roundtree, Billy Dee Williams and Monica Calhoun among others
2009
- Partnered with seven national civil rights and minority organizations to create the Broadband Opportunity Coalition, a national partnership that will drive broadband deployment to minority communities, overcome barriers to adoption, and leverage technology to improve socioeconomic outcomes
- Returned $12.7 million tax refunds to 8,500 individuals through the Beehive Tax Tool
2010
- One Economy and the Broadband Opportunity Coalition (BBOC) receive $51.5 million to increase Broadband Adoption form the Broadband Technology Opportunity program, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- One Economy welcomes new CEO, P. Kelley Dunne
- One Economy hosts We Are Now Connected San Francisco, the first in a series of city-wide kickoffs as part of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program
- One Economy celebrates 10 years of connecting underserved communities worldwide to technology
