Former Super Bowl champ’s book addresses literacy and the urgent need for broadband

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A college football star and now author of children’s books is working to address digital literacy with a new book.

His mission: Making sure everyone can be on an equal playing field.

Growing up in a digital age doesn’t look the same for everyone, according to Malcom Mitchell.

Mitchell is an author and Super Bowl champ. He starred as a wide receiver at the University of Georgia before two seasons with the New England Patriots. Knee injures ended his career.

“I grew up thinking if I wanted to make something of my life the only way to truly do that was to play sports,” he said.

Now he’s a champion for literacy, online safety and digital access. “I know when I started this work, I was completely unaware,” Mitchell said.

“[Especially] in an under-resourced community,” he said. “There’s some consequences not having access.”

Right now, the most common affordability program for internet access in Nevada is the Affordable Connectivity Program .

According to the State of Nevada, 46% of the more than 490,000 eligible households are currently enrolled. Even then, there’s still a need, especially in rural areas.

“Through reading you empower the future,” Mitchell said.

The future is in his newly picture book, “A World Within Reach.” The book is about a child named Mylo Maxey, who wants to learn and read. The story starts off in a library and he finds some goggles. When Mylo puts them on, he goes on an adventure, connecting with different communities within reach.

Mitchell hopes it shows the importance of connectivity for kids to succeed.

“I think there’s three things that’s really needed to bridge the digital divide,” he said.

It starts with literacy. From there, it’s a divide between those who can or can’t afford broadband.

“You need connectivity,” he said. “The next thing you need is a device.”

A device like a laptop to immerse yourself in education and truly always be within reach.

Mitchell said he founded the Share the Magic Foundation in 2016 where he authored his first children’s book.

To learn more about Mitchell’s efforts with Cox Communications and download the ‘A World Within Reach,’ click here: https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/awwr.html

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