People

Savanah Stone is Project Manager of Connect Buncombe Online. They have worked on Land of Sky's WestNGN team since December of 2024, connecting folks in our community of Western North Carolina to laptops devices, digital skills, and all things digital opportunity and accessibility. Their background in mental health direct care informs their understanding of just how crucial being connected to people, information, resources and support really is. For Savanah, having and using internet is not a luxury, it is an essential survival tool and necessary skill to thrive.

At WestNGN, Craig focuses on coordinating digital education projects and managing a telehealth initiative in Madison County, which aims to improve access to virtual health appointments for individuals without home internet access. He is passionate about supporting community health and expanding access to the  digital ecosystem.

Aisha Johnson Adams is a writer, facilitator, and cultural strategist who designs spaces for honest dialogue, collective healing, and meaningful action. Her work blends storytelling, community engagement, and systems thinking to help individuals and organizations move toward clarity, courage, and sustainable change. She believes transformation begins with truth, care, and motion.

Kevin Sanft is the Chair of the Department of Computer Science at UNC Asheville. He is passionate about preparing UNCA computer science students for technology careers and life after college. But he is also dedicated to digital opportunity throughout western North Carolina. He (and his students) enjoy contributing to digital literacy, tech support, and other programs that ensure citizens have access and the ability to utilize technology effectively.

Brian Scott is the founder and Executive Director of OurJourney, a statewide reentry nonprofit organization. Brian is also on the Advisory Board for the Building College-Community Partnerships for Reentry research project at Ithaka s+r and is part of the cohort on Community Safety for the North Carolina Duke Leadership Forum. In December 2023 Brian completed a 2-year research term with the American Prison Newspaper project at JSTOR, helping identify and catalog newspapers operating inside our nation's correctional facilities, another passion of his. Brian grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and currently lives in Albemarle, a nice little town 30 miles outside of Charlotte.

Adonis Lewis II is the Director of Strategy and Impact at RSAA and Chair of the Communications, Messaging and Branding Committee for Connect Buncombe: Online. His work sits at the intersection of reparative justice and practical systems change, building strategies that move from vision to real access. He shows up to this cohort because the digital divide is not abstract. Digital equity is not about devices, it is about dignity. Broadband is not a luxury, it is basic infrastructure for opportunity, stability, and equality in the modern world

My commitment to bridging the digital divide for veterans is driven by a deep respect for their service and a desire to ensure the VA follows through on the promise that they have access to the resources they need. Although I often resist embracing new technology, I understand its immense value, especially for fostering connection. I feel lucky to connect with veterans and want their loved ones to have the same opportunities to stay in touch. I believe that digital literacy and access to technology are essential for veterans to thrive in today's world, enabling them to connect with their communities, access healthcare (read: avoid the VA phone system at all costs), and pursue education and employment opportunities.

I am the current Chairman of the Board for ERC WNC.  Our goal is to promote the adoption of new technologies in order to advance the growth of the broader community.  I am the founder and CTO of DigitalChalk, a SaaS Learning Management System.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/troytolle/

We come to this work because we’ve seen how access to technology, or the lack of it, can shape people’s opportunities and sense of possibility. We are committed to advancing digital equity across Buncombe County and Western North Carolina by helping ensure that everyone has the tools, skills, and support they need to learn, work, and stay connected.