Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Digital Equity Convening hosted by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc, in San Antonio. This year's theme, "The Power of Place," was the perfect theme.
When I think of the power of place, I think of the people who make our communities what they are. Our history, culture, and shared experiences shape who we are and how we come together. In the RGV, I've seen firsthand the resilience and strength of our communities. Each community has something unique to offer, and their voices and experiences deserve to be part of the conversations and decisions that shape their future.
It was so good to connect with our RGV partners and meeting new people doing amazing work across South Texas. I also enjoyed supporting my Connect Humanity colleagues, Jordana Barton-Garcia, MPA, and Erica Mesker, as they shared their insights on collaboration, partnerships, funding, and sustainability in their panels. Always inspiring to see them in action!
Another highlight was meeting and hearing from Nicol Turner Lee. Her stories and experiences working in public policy and technology were an inspiring way to close out the convening. I'm looking forward to reading her book, Digitally Invisible: How the Internet Is Creating the New Underclass!
I'm grateful for the conversations, connections, and lessons from these two days. I'm excited to bring them back to the RGV Broadband Coalition as we continue working with our partners to make our RGV Broadband & Digital Opportunity Plan a reality.
Lastly, a big congratulations and thank you to Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. for putting together such a meaningful convening and creating a space for us to connect, learn, and grow together! Charito Lincoln, Monica Gonzalez, Eliseo C., Amparo K. Diaz, Ismael Neri - a huge thank you and to the rest of the MHM team for organizing this event and for always showing your support!
Excited for what's to come!
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by Ricardo Saenz, Connect Humanity's Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition Program Manager. The column first appeared on the author's social media pages.
