The Digital Divide in the US remains most pronounced in the Black Rural South. While states are working on implementing BEAD and DEA programs, and now that the FCC has created Digital Discrimination rules, will anything change for Black and other BIPOC communities in the rural South? History tells us no; unless and until those making plans for these communities' futures join local folks in creating a shared story of a connected future, states and ISPs will largely remain the antagonists in the community's story.
