The External Affairs Team at AT&T Arkansas is excited to share recent AT&T news and updates with you. Throughout this document, you will find information about the AT&T wireless network in Arkansas – as well as examples of AT&T Arkansas’ philanthropic efforts and WarnerMedia news. Please reach out to us at any time.
We look forward to questions you may have regarding telecommunications policy, network enhancements, our community and philanthropic endeavors, and more.
The Community
President of AT&T Arkansas Ronnie Dedman elected Chairman of the State Chamber Board 2021: Ronnie Dedman is the past Board Chair for North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and in 2020, was the Board Chair for the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Dedman was the first Black American to hold the position of board chairman of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas State Chamber. Dedman also has the distinction of being the first person to Chair all three organizations, the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
He has served on the board of directors for numerous organizations, including Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, Arkansas State University Foundation, Little Rock Boys and Girls Clubs, American Lung Association of Arkansas, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Little Rock Work Force Investment, and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. We are proud of his accomplishments and congratulate him for his newly elected appointment as the Chairman of the State Chamber Board.
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives: Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality. Below are some of the organizations AT&T Arkansas has supported.
- Mamas Unidas: AT&T’s support will help Mamas Unidas who is dedicated to helping the Hispanic community learn about higher education. They will connect families with college students who serve as a support system, tutor, interpreter, and anything else the family might need. They will also provide college readiness information to the Hispanic Community in Arkansas by delivering virtual and in-person workshops as well as individualized appointments to families.
- Hispanic Women of Arkansas: With AT&T’s support, the Hispanic Women of Arkansas will strive to enhance participation by Latinos in the community by opening channels for a better understanding across divergent cultures while bringing the diverse Northwest Arkansas community together. They will also help minority, non-English speaking residents using tailored educational programs and support systems to acquire marketable job skills and learn to navigate the system to find opportunities for self-development, education, and employment.
- Watershed Human and Community Development Agency, Inc.: AT&T’s contribution will support this organization’s food pantry with an emphasis on serving seniors and those unemployed due to the pandemic.
- Fort Smith Round Table: This organization’s mission is to uplift the next generation of minority business leaders while equipping them with the skills and confidence they need. AT&T’s contribution will support this mentoring and economic empowerment program for low-income, disadvantaged Hispanic and African American male students to help the students graduate from high school and be prepared for life after.
- Arkansas Commitment, Inc.: AT&T supports this leadership development program for African American students in central Arkansas. This nonprofit identifies academically talented high school students, prepares them for college, and guides them to become leaders.
Patrol Packs: AT&T Arkansas through our Believe Arkansas™ initiative, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and local food banks have teamed up to fight hunger by providing food items for bags of food to be given by law enforcement to those facing food insecurity.
This program is designed to benefit police departments, sheriff offices, and others around the state by offering law enforcement the opportunity to provide a positive community police presence and interaction while providing a significant need to underserved individuals. Due to COVID-19, the initiative has shifted just a bit. Currently, the local Food Banks are filling the bags and providing to local Law Enforcement.
AT&T’s Believe Arkansas Initiative Donates Pandemic Relief Supplies: AT&T has donated Pandemic Relief Supplies (PRS) to multiple food banks across the state of Arkansas. These organizations focus on ensuring Arkansans have access to the most basic of needs – food. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an overwhelming demand for these resources. AT&T’s Believe Arkansas initiative is helping fulfill that need by donating hand sanitizer, face coverings, and disinfectant supplies to these organizations.
Diversity and Inclusion
How AT&T Works to Uplift and Empower Girls and Women: March is Women’s History Month. One of AT&T’s core values is Stand for Equality and we recognize our responsibility to support and empower women. From supporting organizations like Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code and programs like the AT&T Aspire Accelerator to elevate future female STEM professionals, we continue to work with and for women. Read more HERE.
Our Support for the Equality Act: AT&T urges passage of new federal legislation extending civil rights to the LGBTQ+ community. Equality for all. It’s more than just a sentence. It’s at the core of who we are at AT&T. That’s why we applaud and support the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Fair Housing Act, to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workforce, housing, education, credit, jury services, and other areas of American life. This legislation is consistent with our long-standing commitment to diversity and our work towards inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. To read more, click HERE.
WarnerMedia
CBS will televise the NCAA Final Four National Semifinals on Saturday, April 3, and then the National Championship on Monday, April 5, at 9 p.m. ET, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Saturday’s pregame coverage will begin at 2 p.m., with the first game set for 5 p.m. Read more HERE.
