Beyond Internet Access
When we talk about the "digital divide," most people think about internet access — who has broadband and who doesn't. But in 2026, the real divide is far more nuanced and far more dangerous.
3 billion people worldwide lack the basic digital skills needed to participate in the modern economy. This isn't about whether they can check email or scroll social media. It's about whether they can:
- Use digital tools to find and apply for jobs
- Manage their finances through online banking and investment platforms
- Protect themselves from cybersecurity threats and digital fraud
- Create value using digital platforms — whether that's freelancing, e-commerce, or content creation
- Understand and leverage AI tools that are rapidly becoming workplace essentials
The gap between those who can do these things and those who can't is widening every day. And unlike the internet access gap, which can be solved with infrastructure investment, the skills gap requires a fundamentally different approach.
The Automation Accelerator
The urgency is compounded by automation. The World Economic Forum estimates that 47% of current jobs are at risk of being automated within the next decade. The jobs most vulnerable are precisely those held by people with the lowest digital literacy:
- Manufacturing and assembly (78% automation risk)
- Transportation and logistics (72% automation risk)
- Retail and customer service (65% automation risk)
- Administrative and clerical (58% automation risk)
- Food service and hospitality (52% automation risk)
These aren't abstract statistics. They represent real families — often in communities that are already economically vulnerable — facing the prospect of their livelihoods disappearing without a viable alternative.
Why Traditional Solutions Fall Short
The standard response to workforce displacement is "retraining." But traditional retraining programs have a dismal track record:
Completion rates are low. The national average for workforce retraining programs is 38%. Most people who start don't finish, often because the programs don't accommodate the realities of adult life — work schedules, family obligations, financial pressures.
Curricula are outdated. By the time a traditional program develops and approves a curriculum, the technology has often moved on. Students learn skills that are already becoming obsolete.
Support is insufficient. Most programs offer instruction but not mentorship, community, or career placement. Students learn in isolation and are left to navigate the job market on their own.
Cultural relevance is absent. Programs designed by and for one demographic often fail to resonate with others. The result is a one-size-fits-all approach that fits almost no one.
The Osage Difference: F.L.O.W.
Our Foundations of Learning for an Optimized Workforce platform was built to address every one of these failures:
Completion Rate: 91%
Our graduation rate is more than double the national average. Here's why:
Cohort-based learning: Students progress through the program with a group of peers who share their journey. This creates accountability, community, and mutual support that dramatically reduces dropout rates.
Flexible scheduling: All coursework is available online, with both synchronous and asynchronous options. Students can learn at their own pace while still benefiting from structured milestones and deadlines.
Financial support: We work with students to identify scholarships, grants, and financing options that make the program accessible regardless of economic circumstances.
Mentorship: Every student is paired with a mentor who has successfully completed the transition from traditional to digital work. These mentors provide not just technical guidance but emotional support and career advice.
Curriculum That Evolves
Our eight career tracks are updated quarterly based on industry demand data, employer feedback, and emerging technology trends. When a new tool or framework gains traction, it's incorporated into our curriculum within weeks, not years.
Career Placement
We don't just train people — we place them. Our industry partnerships include companies actively seeking diverse, non-traditional talent. Our 91% graduation rate is matched by an 87% employment rate within six months of completion.
Cultural Grounding Through Osageomics
The Osageomics framework isn't just philosophy — it's pedagogy. By grounding digital education in the seven principles of Kwanzaa, we create a learning environment that resonates with communities that have historically been underserved by traditional education.
The XETA Network Connection
Digital literacy requires digital access. That's why our XETA Network initiative is so critical. By creating community-owned internet infrastructure, we're ensuring that the communities most in need of digital skills training also have the connectivity to access it.
XETA Network members don't just get internet access — they earn income from providing it. This creates a virtuous cycle: connectivity enables education, education enables employment, employment enables investment in more connectivity.
A Global Challenge, A Community Solution
The digital literacy gap is a global problem, but it's solved at the community level. Every person who completes a F.L.O.W. track becomes a node in a network of digital citizens who can mentor, employ, and collaborate with the next generation of learners.
This is the Osageomics vision in action: not just individual advancement, but community transformation. Not just job training, but the creation of self-sustaining ecosystems of digital empowerment.
What You Can Do
If you're reading this, you're already on the right side of the digital divide. But that privilege comes with responsibility:
Share this article with someone who might benefit from knowing about Osage Investment's programs.
Volunteer as a mentor — our mentorship program is always looking for experienced professionals willing to guide new learners.
Enroll in a track — even if you're already employed in tech, our programs can expand your skills and connect you with a community of purpose-driven professionals.
Invest in the mission — whether through financial support, corporate partnerships, or simply spreading the word, every contribution helps close the gap.
The digital divide won't close itself. But together, we can bridge it — one person, one community, one track at a time.
Henry Blount is the CEO of Osage Investment. To learn more about the F.L.O.W. Platform or to enroll, visit our F.L.O.W. Platform page.