Byte Back
In the News
Press & Media
To Members of the Media:
The success of our students touches the Byte Back community – from new students to graduates, volunteers, and more. These stories of hope and the real-life impact of digital inclusion must also be heard locally – in Washington, DC and Baltimore – and nationally.
Members of the media are welcomed to learn more about Byte Back, meet our inspiring students, and be connected with digital inclusion and tech diversity experts, such as Chrissie Powell, Baltimore executive director.
For stats and stories, see the 2019 Byte Back Annual Report.
Highlights from Byte Back in the News
Byte Back in the News
Archive Highlights
July 1, 2020: Despite PPP funding, some small businesses in the DMV are still struggling, Technical.ly DC
June 19, 2020: D.C. nonprofits push back against digital equity budget cuts, StateScoop
June 17, 2020: Digital equity funding may get cut in DC. Here’s what you need to know, Technical.ly DC
May 29, 2020: “RealLIST Connectors: Meet 70 people keeping #dctech close,” Technical.ly DC
May 29, 2020: “RealLIST Connectors: Meet 110 top community builders in Baltimore tech and entrepreneurship,” Technical.ly Baltimore
May 28, 2020: “Baltimore’s Digital Divide And How To Fix It,” WYPR 88.1 FM – Your NPR News Station
May 12, 2020: “Abell report: City government could play greater role in expanding internet access,” Baltimore Fishbowl
May 5, 2020: “50 Baltimore orgs are joining together to close the digital divide — during the pandemic, and beyond,” Technical.ly Baltimore
April 23, 2020: “Digital access is more important than ever. These grassroots groups are creating neighborhood-level connectivity hubs,” Technical.ly Baltimore
April 22, 2020: “COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting the Black community. So is the digital divide — and it’s not a coincidence,” Guest Post by Elizabeth Lindsey, CEO, Technical.ly DC
April 21, 2020: “With initial PPP funding depleted, we checked in with DC-area companies to see if they got approved,” Technical.ly DC
April 7, 2020: “Since paycheck protection loans opened, DC biz leaders are still searching for clarity,” Technical.ly DC
March 23, 2020: “Coronavirus Brings The Digital Divide Into Stark Relief,” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU 88.5 NPR
March 19, 2020: “Virtual happy hours, Zoom calls and friendly competition: Here’s how 3 DC orgs transitioned to remote work,” Technical.ly DC
March 16, 2020: “A running list of #dctech happenings that have been rescheduled, canceled or gone virtual because of COVID-19,” Technical.ly DC
February 26, 2020: “How 3 Byte Back graduates sell their experience in job interviews,” Technical.ly DC
February 21, 2020: “Teaching himself IT skills gave Craig Addison opportunity. Now, he’s instructing others in Baltimore,” Technical.ly Baltimore
February 21, 2020: “Becoming Tech-Savvy in Today’s Digital World,” NBC 4 Washington
February 21, 2020: “UiPath donates robotic process automation software to George Mason’s business school,” Technical.ly DC
February 13, 2020: “Black workers in Washington, DC, are left behind, report says,” HRDive
February 10, 2020: “Researchers Take Deep Dive into Low Digital Skill Levels,” Employment & Training Reporter
January 26, 2020: “Will Limiting Food Stamp Access Motivate People or Just Remove Benefits,” Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien
January 24, 2020: “Verizon awarded Byte Back with a $100K grant,” Technical.ly DC
January 15, 2020: “Rooted In Excellence,” Swarthmore College Bulletin
January 8, 2020: “A Leading Bank Gives for a Future with Better Health,” Inside Philanthropy
December 3, 2019: “These #dctech organizations want your support on this #GivingTuesday,” Technical.ly DC
November 8, 2019: “8 DC companies made Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list,” Technical.ly DC
November 3, 2019: Bringing Seniors Into the Digital Age, Voice of America
November 1, 2019: Elizabeth Lindsey featured in “Innovators & Disruptors: The Capital-Area Entrepreneurs Leading Change”, Washington Life Magazine
October 19, 2019: Older adults get connected with technology in Washington, DC, Voice of America, Ukrainian Service
October 11, 2019: “We’re taking action for Digital Inclusion Week. Congress should, too.” Technical.ly DC, guest blog by Chris Miller, Byte Back digital communications specialist
October 10, 2019: “
October 9, 2019: “DC, Prince George’s County Offer Free Tech Courses,” NBC Washington
October 3, 2019: Elizabeth Lindsey featured on “Tech Titans 2019,” Washingtonian
September 30, 2019: “Bridging the digital divide,” The Daily Star
September 27, 2019: “Byte Back celebrates official launch in Baltimore,” Technical.ly Baltimore
September 26, 2019: Elizabeth Lindsey featured on “The Root 100,” The Root
September 25, 2019: “Byte Back tech training program plots growth in Baltimore,” Baltimore Business Journal
September 20, 2019: “3 tips from DC leaders to bring minority technologists to the table,” Technical.ly DC
September 19, 2019:“Raising the Bar,” Maryland Workforce Association
September 18, 2019:“DC’s 2019 Inno Under 25,” DC Inno
September 9, 2019: “PowerStation with Anna Pasmanick,”
August 30, 2019: “For Many D.C. Residents Experiencing Homelessness, The Internet Is ‘An Absolute Necessity’,” DCist
August 22, 2019: “These DC-area orgs are looking for your vote to secure SXSW panels,” Technical.ly DC
August 7, 2019: “Byte Back is partnering with Saylor Academy to expand free tech skills training,” Technical.ly DC
August 6, 2019: “Byte Back Expands Free Digital Literacy Classes to Baltimore,” Chief Learning Officer
July 31, 2019: “New Money: DC-Area Startups Raise $102M of Funding in July,” DC Inno
July 29, 2019: “CTA Foundation Awards $700,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Improving Lives with Technology,” Webwire
July 19, 2019: “Get to know our 2019 class of 40 Under 40 honorees,” Washington Business Journal
See Elizabeth Lindsey’s profile here.
July 18, 2019: “Want to learn to code? Check out these DC resources to get started,” Technical.ly DC
July 15, 2019: “Learning to code? These Baltimore orgs offer a place to start (and build) experience,” Technical.ly Baltimore
July 14, 2019: “The Washington Report,” WJFK Radio
July 12, 2019: “Byte Back nabs $100K from a tech grant competition,” Technical.ly DC
July 11, 2019: “Baltimore Works with Goodwill,” 1010 WOLB Baltimore
June 14, 2019: “Byte Back’s first tech education classes are underway in Baltimore”, Technical.ly Baltimore
June 3, 2019: Drucker Institute Names 2019 Drucker Prize Semifinalists, PRWeb
May 28, 2019: EP7: “She Works Hard for the Money,” Girl Meets Food Podcast
May 22, 2019: “Accessibility doesn’t start with a website. It starts with digital equity,” Technical.ly DC, guest post by Yvette Scorse, Byte Back communications director
May 21, 2019: “Revealed: Our 2019 40 Under 40 award winners,” Washington Business Journal
May 6, 2019: “RPA: Powering Government’s Digital Transformation,” Government Matters, WJLA 24/7 News
May 4, 2019: “Connect.DC Is Providing Full Internet Access to Low-Income Families In D.C.,” Howard University News Service
April 25, 2019: “UiPath Supports Byte Back to Prepare the Workforce of the Future,” AP News
April 25, 2019: “Byte Back is partnering with a leading robotics process automation company,” Technical.ly DC
April 22, 2019: “How These Universities are Building D.C.’s Tech Talent Pipeline Ahead of Amazon HQ2,” DC Inno
April 12, 2019: “People on the Move,” Baltimore Business Journal
March 21, 2019: “40 Under 40: Queer women of Washington,” The Washington Blade
March 20, 2019: “Sorcero Brings New Tech to Adult Learners at Byte Back in DC Area,” eNewsChannels
March 19, 2019: “Byte Back and Sorcero are teaming up to integrate AI into tech classrooms,” Technical.ly DC
March 15, 2019: “2019 Enterprising Women,” Tagg Magazine
March 11, 2019: “Missed Connections: The Broadband Divide Between DC’s Ward Lines,” 730DC
February 21, 2019: “Audio: Byte Back’s Derrick Washington on Training Today’s IT Specialists,” DC Inno
February 13, 2019: “From St. Louis to San Francisco, what cities are doing to bridge the digital divide?” The Renewal Project
January 31, 2019: “What’s New in Civic Tech: Did Hackers Exploit the Shutdown?,” Government Technology
January 30, 2019: “Breaking the mold of the traditional IT specialist,” What’s Working Washington, Federal News Network Podcast
January 25, 2019: “Automation threatening 25% of jobs in the US, especially the ‘boring and repetitive’ ones: Brookings study,” CNBC
January 25, 2019: “What Cities Get When They Offer Free Tech Support to Residents,” CityLab
January 18, 2019: Derrick Washington, director of programs, interviewed on Prince George’s Community Television News
January 17, 2019: “Byte Back Celebrates Winter Graduation and Expansion in its 21st Year,” The Washington Informer
January 14, 2019: “Breaking Down Barriers to Employment,” CityLab
January 9, 2019: “The Life-changing Impact of Winning a Creator Award’,” CREATOR
December 7, 2018: “Amazon HQ2 and the ‘Gentrification of Jobs’,” CityLab
November 28, 2018: “Byte Back raises more than $10,000 in #GivingTuesday campaign,” Technical.ly DC
November 21, 2018: “Give It Up, D.C. 2018 Giving Guide,” Washington City Paper
November 20, 2018: “Giving Techday: Improving Lives Through Tech,” Consumer Technology Association
November 16, 2018: “D.C.’s Hottest Tech Companies Gather for 50 on Fire 2018,” DC Inno
November 8, 2018: “The Snapchat Thief,” Reply All
November 2, 2018: “Organization Helps Adults Embrace the Digital Age,” Harris’ Heroes, NBC Washington
October 26, 2018: “Byte Back wins $1 million from TD to expand operations in Baltimore,” BDPA Today
October 25, 2018: “D.C. Tech Training Nonprofit Wins $775K To Expand To Baltimore,” Afrotech
October 24, 2018: “Meet the 2018 TD Ready Challenge grant recipients,” TD Newsroom
October 24, 2018: “D.C. Nonprofit, Byte Back Inc, Wins TD Ready Challenge Grant to Expand Inclusive Tech Training,” eNewsChannels
October 24, 2018: “Byte Back plans to expand its tech inclusion work to Baltimore,” Technical.ly Baltimore
October 24, 2018: “Byte Back wins $775,000 grant to expand to Baltimore in 2019,” Technical.ly DC
October 9, 2018: “Neotrope Announces Charities Selected to Receive 2018 J.L. Simmons NonProfit PR Grant,” PR Newswire
October 1, 2018: “DC Inno’s 50 on Fire 2018,” DC Inno
October 1, 2018: “Byte Back hosted its 2nd annual Community Tech Day for DC residents,” Technical.ly DC
October 1, 2018: “On the Market has all the freshest job openings in #dctech,” Technical.ly DC
September 20, 2018: “Tech Titans 2018: Washington’s Top Tech Leaders,” Washingtonian
August 26, 2018: “Mom on a Mission,” NBC4 Washington
August 16, 2018: “Help Local Non-Profit Win State Farm Grant,” HillRag
August 8, 2018: “Skip Coffee — Women We Admire Start Their Day With These Career Podcasts,” MyDomaine
July 24, 2018: “How Massively Successful Companies Have Made Creativity Their Engine for Growth,” Entrepreneur
June 21, 2018: “An EPIC Expansion: Byte Back offers First Certification Classes Outside of DC” Greater Washington Community Foundation
May 7, 2018: “These 5 DC nonprofits won $500K Citi Foundation grants,” Technical.ly DC
May 1, 2018: “dcConnecthome is holding a technology resource fair,” Technical.ly DC
April 30, 2018: “Citi Awards $20 Million Through Community Progress Makers Fund,” Philanthropy News Digest
April 26, 2018: “Citi Foundation Announces Recipients of National $20 Million Community Progress Makers Fund,” Citigroup
April 23, 2018: “Spring Valley Resident Makes Big Impact with DC Tech Nonprofit, Byte Back,” Spring Valley Life magazine
March 23, 2018: “Breaking Barriers: How Byte Back is Tackling Class Issues in DC,” Jobbio
March 19, 2018: “How Byte Back’s digital inclusion work evolved over 20 years,” Technical.ly DC
March 19, 2018: “Archana Vemulapalli – Washington DC: In the capitol of the future all residents are included,” Toggle
March 9, 2018: “Here are a few places to find DC technologists at SXSW,” Technical.ly DC
March 8, 2018: “The Ultimate D.C. Tech Guide to SXSW 2018,” DC Inno
February 16, 2018: “Flatiron School moves into WeWork White House,” Technical.ly DC
January 29, 2018: “WeWork Gives Millions to Visionary Startups for Creating ‘Their Life’s Work’,” VOA News
January 19, 2018: “Byte Back wins $360K at WeWork Creator Awards Global Finals,” Technical.ly DC
January 19, 2018: “This kind of small-business thinking can lead to big changes (and big bucks),” USA Today
January 18, 2018: “Austin’s Samantha Snabes of re:3D Wins WeWork’s $1 Million Creator Award,” Silicon Hills
January 17, 2018: “This DC nonprofit is competing for $1 million at the WeWork Creator Awards,” Technical.ly DC
January 16, 2018: “Behind the Bell: WeWork Awards,” Nasdaq
January 11, 2018: “The Top 100 Leadership Speakers for 2018,” Inc.
January 7, 2018: “2017: A Year in #DCTech News,” Medium
January 5, 2018: “Comcast Foundation awards $265,000 to 16 Washington, D.C. Metro Area nonprofits,” The Washington Sun
November 29, 2017: “This nonprofit is training shelter residents in the tech skills they need to keep up with the workforce,” Street Sense Media
November 28, 2017: #GivingTuesday: This DC nonprofit is raising $10K for tech training,” Technical.ly DC
November 15, 2017: “Stop focusing just on startups: Digitalization of U.S. workforce impacts every industry, report finds,” Curbed
November 2, 2017: “WeWork Gives $20 Million to Entrepreneurs,” Cheddar
October 24, 2017: “For Hope, Look to Community Activists, Not Ta-Nehisi Coates,” Next City
October 24, 2017: “Can You Nail A One Minute Pitch?” Huffington Post
October 23, 2017: “Are You Able To Fit Your Company’s Mission Into A 1 Minute Pitch? | Elizabeth Lindsey,” LEADx Podcast
October 23, 2017: “The 1 Mistake New Leaders Always Make (And How To Avoid It),” Inc.
October 19, 2017: “Don’t Bet Against The Baltimore-Washington Area in Amazon’s HQ2 Search,” Nextgov
October 12, 2017: “This exec is working to make tech jobs accessible for all,” Washington Business Journal
October 5, 2017: “Byte Back invited the community to its new office,” Technical.ly DC
September 26, 2017: “D.C. Council Considers Public Wi-Fi and Digital Literacy Bill,” The Hoya
September 22, 2017: “Office Envy: Inside Byte Back’s New NoMa Headquarters,” DC Inno
September 18, 2017:“For diversity and inclusion in tech, ‘This opportunity is too big to miss,’” Technical.ly DC
September 14, 2017: “The 19 Women Entrepeneurs Awarded Grants from BEACON DC’s Inaugural Program,” DC Inno
September 5, 2017:“Take a tour of Byte Back’s bigger tech training space,” Technical.ly DC
August 17, 2017: “These 2 Bills Would Help Bring Free Internet and Digital Skills Training to All D.C. Residents,” Street Sense
August 16, 2017:“Brightwood! Are You Being Left Behind In The Digital Age?” DC NorthStar
August 11, 2017:“These SXSW panel proposals include DC tech leaders,” Technical.ly DC
August 8, 2017:“Elizabeth Lindsey: School’s in Session” DC TechStories
August 3, 2017: Byte Back instructor Andrew Quilpa on “emPower Hour with DeShuna Spencer,” WPFW 89.3
August 2, 2017: “Lots Of People In Cities Still Can’t Afford Broadband,” FiveThirtyEight
July 30, 2017:“This Is How Long It Will Take To Achieve Equal Pay For Black Women In Every State,” Bustle
July 14, 2017: “Byte Back Solidifies Partnership to Expand Into Maryland,” DC Inno
July 13, 2017: “Byte Back’s Maryland expansion gets new boost,” Techincal.ly DC
June 6, 2017: “MCON Panel Discusses Using Tech to Solve Community Issues,” NBC4 Washington
May 12, 2017: “WDCEP and Byte Back have launched a new tech inclusion scholarship,” Technical.ly DC
May 12, 2017: “Quicken Loans partnering with WeWork for Detroit’s Creator Awards,” MLive
May 10, 2017: “3 Tech Scholarships to Apply for Now,” Black Enterprise
May 9, 2017: “Tuesday: Learn how the rise of tech has impacted diverse communities,” Technical.ly DC
May 3, 2017: “Washington’s 100 Top Tech Leaders,” Washingtonian
April 19, 2017: Interview with Elizabeth Lindsey: Tech Training, Empire Radio Now
April 6, 2017: “How Byte Back is Helping Bridge the District’s Digital Divide,” DC Inno
April 5, 2017: “These local entrepreneurs scored big bucks from WeWork,” Washington Business Journal
March 31, 2017: “Innovators: DC Rises at WeWork’s Creator Awards,” Washington Life Magazine
Photo Album, Washington Life Magazine
March 30, 2017: “WeWork Makes A $1.5M Splash With Inaugural ‘Creator Awards’ Celebration,” Washingtonian
March 29, 2017: “WeWork Creator Awards recognizes creators who are leading the way for innovation!” Good Morning Washington, WJLA
March 29, 2017: “Byte Back wins big at the inaugural WeWork Creator Awards,” Technical.ly DC
March 29, 2017: “At Creator Awards, Women Entrepreneurs Take Home Top Prizes,” Creator, WeWork
March 29, 2017: “WeWork Gives $1.5M to Local Entrepreneurs and Doubles Down on D.C.,” DCInno
March 29, 2017: “WeWork Is Committing $20 Million to Innovators with Creator Awards,” Tech.Co
March 29, 2017: “WeWork Hands Out $1.5M To Small Businesses At Global Creator Awards Launch In DC,” Bisnow
February 21, 2017: “Byte Back Programs and Services,” Comcast Newsmakers
February 8, 2017:“Digital inclusion nonprofit Byte Back is getting a new home,” Technical.ly DC
February 1, 2017:“Washington, D.C., Wi-Fi bill gets new life,” StateScoop
November 30, 2016:“It’s time to vote for the winners of our first annual DC Innovation Awards,” Technical.ly DC
November 21, 2016: “13% of Americans don’t use the internet. Until a few months ago, I was one of them.” Vox
November 11, 2016: “DC’s female tech leaders react to Trump’s election,” DCInno
October 10, 2016: “These 3 local nonprofits snagged grants from the NCTA Foundation,” Technical.ly DC
October 5, 2016:“NCTA Foundation Seeds D.C. Groups With $325,000 in Grants,” Multichannel News
October 4, 2016: “D.C. non-profit offers computer training at no charge,” WJLA ABC 7
October 3, 2016: “Why technology alone can’t lift people out of poverty,” Deseret News
August 12, 2016: “3 things digital literacy nonprofit Byte Back learned from a recent data dive,” Technical.ly DC
May 31, 2016: “Inside Byte Back’s important digital inclusion work,” Technical.ly DC
“The nonprofit taught computer skills to almost 1,000 District residents in 2015. Its new executive director, Elizabeth Lindsey, has her sights on reaching even more.”
May 18, 2016:“Potomac United Methodist Church hosts fundraiser event,” Potomac Almanac
May 16, 2016:“American Graduate DC Champion – Byte Back,” WHUT Howard University Television
May 13, 2016:“D.C. nonprofit joins in national push to get governments thinking about digital inclusion,” StateScoop
April 27, 2016:“D.C. lawmakers weigh bill to create task force for citywide Wi-Fi network,” StateScoop
April 7, 2016:“Local Non-Profit Spotlight: Byte Back’s Executive Director,” The Brookland Bridge blog
February 25, 2016:“Data Society launches Kickstarter campaign, with a twist,” Technical.ly DC
October 2015: “The Digital Divide” with Elizabeth Lindsey, Byte Back executive director, on Comcast Newsmakers
June 2015: “Decreasing the Digital Divide in the District” – staff members Monique Riviere and Andrea Mack were guests on emPower Hour on 89.3 WPFW
February 2014:In The Capitol covered the new partnership between nclud and Byte Back.
October 2013:An informational video on Byte Back was included in The Giving Library.
June 2013:The Brookland Bridge blog featured an interview with our executive director, Kelley Ellsworth.
May 2013:Elevation DC profiled Kenny Brown, a Byte Back student, graduation speaker, and participant in our Enterprise DC program.
June 18, 2012: Byte Back was featured on the front page of the health section of the Washington Post
March 12, 2012: Kelley Ellsworth, Byte Back Executive Director, appeared on ABC Channel 7 News. She spoke on collaborating with FTC in providing a computer lab for Jubilee Housing after their laptops were stolen. Please note the approximate time mark of appearance, 1:31.
May 7, 2011: Byte Back instructor Kyle Johnson’s PC for Beginners course at the Anacostia Public Library was covered in The Washington Post‘s local page.
September 20, 2010: NBC ran a feature story about Byte Back’s partnership with Back on My Feet.
January 26, 2010:El Pais, a newspaper published in Spain, published a lengthy feature article about Byte Back and internet access in the United States in Spanish.
Byte Back won honorable mention for the 2010 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management for this video, by ReAct Media.