Tampa, Fla. [April 3, 2023] – The Community Foundation Tampa Bay is pleased to welcome community leader Veatrice Farrell as the new Director, Digital Inclusion Project.
Digital Inclusion St. Petersburg (aka Digital Inclusion Project) has operated under the guidance of the St. Petersburg Innovation District and the Deuces Live District since February 14, 2020. It is volunteer driven by a group of community-oriented organizations and individuals. In the fall of 2022, the Project moved under the administration of the Community Foundation Tampa Bay as the backbone organization. The project’s primary aim is to expand access to equipment, internet and training and support so that all residents, regardless of age and economic status, have the tools necessary for education, employment and quality of life. In the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), 44.4% of households with income of less than $20K are without an internet subscription and 27% of households with income of $20K to $75K are without an internet subscription. The Digital Inclusion Project focused from 2020 to 2022 on St. Petersburg, specifically the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area. During this transition the geographic area of the Digital Inclusion Project will expand to include all of Pinellas County and could eventually include Hillsborough County. Funding has been committed from the City of St. Petersburg and the Foundation for Healthy St. Pete.
“We are very excited to have Veatrice join our team. She has been a long-time advocate for addressing community needs and has co-led the Digital Inclusion Project since its inception a few years ago. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong passion to make a difference in the community,” said Dr. Jesse Coraggio, Senior Vice President, Community Impact.
About Veatrice Farrell:
Farrell was the former Executive Director of the Deuces Live, Inc., a certified Florida Main Street. Prior to joining the Deuces Live, Inc., she worked in the banking/loan/financial industries for nearly 25 years. Farrell has been honored to receive the 2020-2021 Gathering of Women’s Men & Women of Distinction Community Building and Public Service Award, the City of St. Petersburg 2021 Sunshine Ambassador Award, and she was nominated for the 2022 St. Petersburg Chamber Good Burger Award.
