AT&T: Possibilities

For most of the last century, the United States led the world in educational attainment and the economic and social mobility of its people. As our advantage has been slipping in recent decades, leaders from the President to philanthropists have set goals for boosting the percentage of Americans who complete some form of college, so more Americans are prepared for the rigors of the workplace and being engaged members of society.

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2016 — Teach For America announced today that it will expand its Computer Science (CS) initiative, bringing high-quality opportunities to teachers and students in seven regions with support from AT&T. Through its signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, the technology company will contribute $900,000 over the next two years to provide Udacity Nanodegree credential scholarships to help students learn the skills needed for entry-level jobs in the tech industry, and also to support quality professional development and resources for teachers serving 2,500 students across the Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City, New York City, Rio Grande Valley, South Carolina, and Washington D.C.

My family raised my little brother and me in Fort Valley, a small town in Peach County, Georgia. When I was 18, I moved to Baton Rouge to attend Southern University on a track scholarship. I majored in business and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. where we did volunteer work on campus and across the city. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the kids in the Baton Rouge community when we were part of a Dress for Success initiative.

November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native Americans, as well as the important contributions of Native people to our communities and country. This month also presents the opportunity to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native Americans face.

AT&T is excited to launch a new documentary that tells incredible stories about people who are on the front lines of social change in the United States. The premiere of the AT&T original documentary RESOLUTION is focused on innovative thinking about disability and will showcase five compelling organizations that are making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

It’s no doubt that in our digitally saturated generation, many relationships are built, and maintained, online. More than 92% of teens (ages 13-17) report going online every day to communicate with their friends and family, and 56% of them go online several times a day. It’s online where they are accustomed to building relationships and receiving information.

We have seen the narrative too many times. Goals are set, initiatives are launched, and deadlines come and go without much progress. Problems are thought to be chronically unfixable and inertia sets in. Not this time.

What early influences motivated you to become involved with Aspire?

Brackets For Good and AT&T announced today a collaboration to introduce a first-ever nation-wide Brackets For Good tournament — just in time for basketball’s Big Dance. Tipping off on Feb. 24, 2017, 64 large national charities will compete online in a single-elimination bracket-style fundraising tournament. In addition to raising awareness and funds, the winning organization will receive a $100,000 contribution from AT&T. It’s competitive giving. Everybody wins.

Community is important to me – my neighbors in San Antonio, my colleagues at AT&T and the virtual community of AT&T customers with which I work – the AT&T Community Forums.