As the Initiative for Literacy in a Digital Age enters a new chapter, I want to begin with gratitude.

This work exists because of Shelbie Witte. Her vision, care, and leadership built something real: a network of educators, researchers, and collaborators asking serious questions about literacy and digital life long before many of those questions became common.

A Legacy of Collaboration

Under Shelbie’s guidance, the Initiative became more than a project. It became a place where people could think together, support one another, and take digital literacy seriously as both an educational and public question.

She launched the Divergent Awards, helped shape a strong network of educators and scholars, and created the conditions for the work to keep growing beyond any single role or season.

What Changes Now

As I step into a stewardship role, my goal is not to replace what Shelbie built. It is to help carry it forward and widen the circle.

The questions that started in classrooms are now showing up everywhere: in homes, nonprofits, libraries, unions, community groups, and daily digital life. That means the work has to grow too.

We are moving toward a broader, more participatory version of this project. One that still honors its educator roots, but makes more room for organizers, parents, researchers, community practitioners, and others trying to navigate digital life with care and clarity.

What Stays the Same

Some things are not changing.

  • We still care about literacy, equity, and digital life.
  • We still believe relationships matter more than hype.
  • We still want to recognize meaningful work through the Divergent Awards.
  • We still believe communities deserve better than extractive tools and shallow conversations.

What We Are Building

What is changing is the shape of the invitation.

We are building toward a community where more people can join the conversation, participate in cohorts, share resources, and help shape what comes next. That work is still unfolding. It is not finished. But the direction is clear.

If you’ve been part of this community already, thank you for helping carry it this far.

If you’re new here, welcome. There is room for you in what comes next.