New initiative connects Detroit students with Black older adults

Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology has launched the Intergenerational Wisdom Exchange (WiSE) Program, a 10-week initiative that pairs Wayne State students with Black older adults in metro Detroit to strengthen digital literacy, promote social connection and create meaningful relationships across generations.

During the first half of the program, students and older adults will participate in guided life-story activities focused on experiences such as childhood, family and friendships, work and retirement, favorite memories, hopes and dreams, and wisdom for future generations. The activities are designed to give older adults an opportunity to share and preserve their stories while allowing students and older adults to get to know one another in a meaningful way.

During the second half of WiSE, older adults will receive a digital tablet and work one-on-one with student partners to develop practical digital skills. Topics include using the internet, email, social media, video conferencing, online shopping, finding reliable health information online, online safety and generative artificial intelligence.

"WiSE is about more than learning how to use technology," said Dr. Rodlescia Sneed, WiSE's program director and an assistant professor in Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology.

The life-story portion of the program gives older adults an opportunity to reflect on and share the experiences that have shaped their lives, while giving students a chance to really get to know them as people. That relationship building is an important part of WiSE. We hope that by the time they begin working together on digital skills, they have already developed a meaningful connection and a sense that they have something to learn from one another."

Dr. Rodlescia Sneed, WiSE's program director and assistant professor, Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology and Department of Psychology

The Detroit WiSE program focuses specifically on Black older adults, a population that has experienced persistent disparities in access to and use of digital technologies. By combining hands-on digital learning with sustained one-on-one interaction, the program is designed to address both digital inclusion and social connection.

WiSE is supported by the Retirement Research Foundation for Aging and is also being implemented at a sister site at Texas Tech University that pairs Hispanic older adults with Texas Tech students for similar intergenerational and digital-literacy activities.

The launch of WiSE represents a collaborative effort among university researchers, students, community partners and older adults. The program was developed with input from community members to ensure its activities are relevant, accessible and responsive to the experiences and priorities of the older adults it serves.