S2 E15 - Bridging the Digital Divide With Cinthia Diaz of Oakland Undivided

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🎉 Season 2 Finale!

We couldn’t close out this season without tackling one of the biggest conversations in education today: digital equity. In this electrifying final episode of School on a Mission, we sit down with Cinthia Diaz, Director of Community Impact at Oakland Undivided, to unpack what it really means to close the digital divide—and why access to technology is more than a convenience… it’s a necessity.

From launching a city-wide coalition during the chaos of the pandemic to driving Chromebooks into the hands of students in need, Cinthia reveals how Oakland Undivided went beyond buzzwords to build a model of equity that works. We talk about internet deserts, real-world tech barriers, and the game-changing power of community collaboration. You’ll hear how school leaders can leverage data, coalitions, and funding opportunities to make access universal and sustainable—especially for students navigating housing instability or tech literacy gaps.

Plus, Cinthia shares the little-known secret that could reduce your district’s hotspot costs by 80%, the role of phone banking in family engagement, and why digital inclusion is about so much more than logging in.

✨ This episode is both a celebration and a call to action. If you’re passionate about creating schools where every student has a seat—and a screen—at the table, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

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🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.