In addition to creating opportunities for a more diverse cross section of Americans in engineering, science, healthcare and information technology, addressing the gap in Internet usage and computer ownership between the U.S. mainstream and the many minority and cultural groups that are Hispanic is a moral imperative of FEDI.

Hispanics quickly are becoming the new "minority majority" in America. Moreover, in several cities, Hispanics make up the majority of the population. In California, Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans together outnumber non-Hispanic Whites.

These demographic changes have made Hispanics a major consumer group. Consumer buying-power among minorities has nearly doubled over the past decade. Hispanic spending alone, for example,  is expected to reach $454 billion this year.

Addressing the inequalities in technology usage and ownership provides fertile ground for companies in the Digital Economy.

For industry, an even more compelling reason to address technology and the minority communities is the changing face of the employment pool. Minorities are now more than 11 percent of the total work force. Yet, they make up less than 4 percent of the technical work force. As companies tap into previously ignored segments of the work force, issues like work force preparedness will become even more important.

FEDI sponsored programs address these important moral and business imperatives.