For me, walking into a local Boys & Girls Club organization is more than just a quick visit – it’s getting back to my roots.
Growing up, the local Boys & Girls Club in Southeast Raleigh was a place where I spent countless hours studying and utilizing resources like encyclopedias that I didn’t have easy access to at home.
The Boys & Girls Club exposed me to resources and programming that set me up for success both in the classroom and for my career at AT&T. It’s through this experience that I know firsthand what these local Boys & Girls Clubs can mean for a young student – and for an entire community.
That’s why I was proud to stand alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other leaders to help open the latest AT&T Connected Learning Center at the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta last month. During the event, students and families were able to check out the Connected Learning Center and the free digital resources available to them.
I had the pleasure of meeting Willie, a rising 11th grader at Atlanta Public Schools and a Teen Ambassador with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. The Connected Learning Center at the Boys & Girls Club is a space where Willie and other Atlanta youth can access free internet, computers and digital resources. Most importantly, it’s a place for them to pursue their dreams. Check out this video highlighting “a day in the life” of Willie as he helped us officially open the AT&T Connected Learning Center.
“For youth to succeed in today’s world, access to technology and high-speed internet is essential. This collaboration with AT&T and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is a significant step towards achieving digital equity in our community and will empower Atlanta youth to reach their potential. With this new AT&T Connected Learning Center at the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club, our youth have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the digital age.”
– Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
AT&T collaborated with Compudopt to distribute 200 refurbished laptops and backpacks to students and families, equipping them with digital resources just in time for the new school year.
Watching the kids’ excitement to check out the new computers, I was instantly reminded of my own enjoyment at the Raleigh Boys & Girls Club growing up. However, unlike back then, next generation students can enjoy modern digital resources, such as high-speed AT&T Fiber® internet, Wi-Fi and computers – a true testament to how far technology has come.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, our mission is to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. The new AT&T Connected Learning Center at our John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club is a critical step in fulfilling this mission. By bridging the digital divide, we ensure that our youth have the essential tools and resources to thrive in today’s digital world. This collaboration with AT&T and Compudopt highlights our shared dedication to fostering digital equity and expanding opportunities for every child. We are deeply grateful for AT&T’s generous support and the profound impact it will have on the children and families we serve.”
– David Jernigan, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Additionally, this fall AT&T opened a new Connected Learning Center inside the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta to provide internet access and high-quality educational tools to help bridge the digital divide. AT&T contributed 250 laptops and backpacks to support students and families and $50,000 to support the Center.
Each Center provides free access to digital resources like high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi and Dell computers. It also provides educational resources such as The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association. In addition, tutoring and mentoring services are available by AT&T employees and community leaders.
“The AT&T Connected Learning Center at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club is a critical asset for our community, offering youth access to internet connectivity and technology. This center will be instrumental in helping our youth stay connected and succeed academically. It’s a great step toward building a stronger, more connected community.”
– Jason Winston, Atlanta City Councilmember
At AT&T, we are proud to continue building relationships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring digital resources and opportunities to communities. To date, we now have six Connected Learning Centers across Georgia, and we look forward to expanding our Connected Learning Centers to more locations. This is all part of our continued investment in the Peach State and our commitment to connecting more Georgians.
But our work to help close the digital divide doesn’t stop in Georgia. We recently announced our commitment to open at least 100 Connected Learning Centers by the end of 2027. These learning centers are part of our $5 billion pledge toward narrowing the digital divide with the aim to help 25 million people get and stay connected by 2030.
For me, opening Atlanta’s newest Connected Learning Centers was a full circle moment, demonstrating that connectivity is the foundation of a thriving community. I’m proud of my roots, and excited for the opportunities ahead for the Atlanta community.
