McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & Company examined barriers affecting Black Americans in the digital divide.
A literature review of works from 2020-2022 was conducted in 2022.
Key findings include:
- The digital divide disproportionately affects Black Americans across adoption, computer ownership, and digital skills.
- 50% of Black Americans have the necessary digital skills compared to 77% of white Americans.
- 62% of Black Americans have access to broadband internet compared to 77% of white Americans.
- 69% of Black Americans own a computer compared to 80% of white Americans.
- Although Black Americans comprise approximately 13% of all workers, they make up only 7% of digital workers.
- The majority of Black households directly impacted by the digital divide live in areas with available infrastructure but simply can’t afford broadband service.
- By gaining a better understanding of the barriers affecting Black communities and engaging communities with a range of broadband and digital-equity stakeholders to address those barriers, public- and private-sector leaders can rise to meet this moment.