Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) alongside the Internet Association (IA) hosted an Internet Community Crawl yesterday to highlight the benefits of the internet on the local community.
According to research from the Internet Association, the internet economy supports 10 percent of New York’s economy and directly employs more than 216,000 New Yorkers.
“Brooklyn has one of the nation’s fastest growing business communities. Entrepreneurs from around the world take root here to grow their businesses. I’ve met a few dynamic small business owners in Crown Heights. It was my pleasure to receive their earnest feedback, and I look forward to bringing my findings back to Washington,” said Clarke.
Also present at the event was New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) and Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights).
The group visited four local businesses and community organizations in Crown Heights to discuss how the internet has helped the community grow and thrive.
The tour started at Freshly Baked Studios, where the owner Alexander Almgren discussed how the internet is enabling his studio to reach a wider audience with the music they produce, while Executive Director at viBe Theater Experience, Toya Lillard, underscored the impact of the internet on spreading the group’s message of empowering young women to find their voice through theater and musical performances.
Michael Beckerman, Internet Association (IA) President & CEO, applauded Clarke’s visit, citing the internet as a catalyst for economic improvement and opportunity.
“The internet sector contributes real economic and social value to cities and neighborhoods like Crown Heights all across the country. Online platforms and services allow local businesses and organizations to connect with customers around the globe, to achieve their missions, to hire new workers, and to boost the local economy,” said Beckerman.
