ROSIE FERNANDEZ EXPANDING DIGITAL ACCESS FOR ALL.
W hen Rosie Fernandez was first hired at Cox Communications in the early 2000s, she had no idea a temporary position would turn into a lifelong career engaging the community and seeking out opportunities to benefit young people.
Twenty-three years later, after two decades working in government and public affairs, she reflects on the path that led to her work today.
“ For me, it’ s because of all the programs and initiatives I benefitted from in Providence growing up,” she says.
The daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Fernandez says her parents instilled the importance of education in her and her seven siblings, but didn’ t always know how to access it. She credits community programs such as SPIRIT and the Rhode Island Educational Talent Search with expanding her horizons while she attended Providence public schools. She would go on to study communications at the University of Rhode Island, apt training for her future in public affairs.
Today, she continues her work as a community and public affairs professional at Cox, a role that includes overseeing Cox Charities East, the company’ s charitable giving arm for its eastern region. Much of her work centers around ensuring that young people have equal access to technology regardless of their ZIP code. The company does this through its Tech Boost program that provides grants to nonprofits looking to invest in technology equipment as well as digital equity initiatives that offer affordable internet access to families of low-income students. The company also partners with Boys and Girls Clubs to support Innovation Labs where students learn digital skills.
“ You need it to survive,” Fernandez says.“ We’ re now in a space where if you don’ t have a device, it’ s hard for you to look at your medical records. It’ s hard for you to receive an update from school on your child. Technology and having a device and having internet is super, super important.”
Beyond her work at Cox, she serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island and as president of Latino
Dollars for Scholars of Rhode Island, a scholarship-granting organization. She is also a member of the Providence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, an organization focused on scholarship, sisterhood, service and social action. Most of her work, she says, has focused on expanding opportunities for young people, whether through digital equity or access to education.
As many companies and nonprofits pull back from language around equity and inclusion, Fernandez notes that advocates continue to do the work by speaking out and showing up for one another.
“ Some people are afraid. So many of our
nonprofit partners depend on government funding. But I know that we have people who are committed to the work, who are going to continue to do the work and advocate for all,” she says.“ I think as individuals we just need to continue to fight and push back.”
She stays hopeful by keeping a positive lens and seeing the good that others are doing in the community. And by staying invested in the next generation, including her own two college-age daughters.
“ I’ m hoping that the next generation of young people helps this country turn into a better place to be. That they take it and make it a more equitable and safer space for everyone,” she says.— L. C.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2026 83