I’m an academic researcher who studies the digital divide. Specifically, I study how people come up with innovative solutions to overcome the digital
divide on their own terms with interventions that work best for them and their communities. I think community-owned internet networks are among
the most exciting and innovative examples of people tackling digital exclusion, and that’s what brought me to B4RN. I first visited B4RN-land in
2019, and over the past five years, I’ve done countless interviews, and I’ve gotten to know the network and the people who have built it. The story
of B4RN is a human story of frustration, resilience, grit, creativity, and collaboration. It’s a powerful reminder that digital connectivity is rooted in human
connectivity… and sometimes you need to JFDI!
This book has been written by B4RN community members. It’s a compilation of written stories, oral histories, photographs, and links. It’s a non-linear, branching tale of key people, places, milestones, and memories, intertwining and intersecting like the roots of a tree. I hope you enjoy this book — it’s your book. These are
your stories, and they belong to you.
Kira Allmann, Ph.D. Co-editor.
