In all my years at AT&T, I’ve attended many kinds of events, from ground-breaking ceremonies to ribbon-cutting celebrations. But I can’t recall participating in an event like the one at the grand opening of the new AT&T Connected Learning Center (CLC) inside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Thornberry Unit in Kansas City on September 10.
It was a true celebration of community and connectivity – complete with food trucks, marching bands, bounce houses and even horses! Children and their families were able to enjoy the festivities outside before and after we cut the ribbon on the new CLC.
The CLC offers free access to digital resources, including high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi and Dell computers. It also provides educational resources such as The AchieverySM, a free digital learning platform by AT&T, and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association.
In addition, AT&T made a $50,000 contribution to BGC of Greater Kansas City for programming support. And, to top off the day, we teamed up with Human-I-T to provide 125 refurbished laptops to students who participate in programs at the club.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas attended the celebration and told us, “AT&T’s Connected Learning Center, combined with these laptops, gives our students the tools they need to thrive. Partnerships like this show the power of public and private sectors working together for our children’s success.”
Jason Roth, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, called the center “a game-changer” for the young people the club serves. In his remarks to the crowd, he said, “By providing access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital learning resources, AT&T is helping us level the playing field for kids who might otherwise be left behind. And with an additional $50,000 contribution to support Club programming, this partnership strengthens our ability to provide critical enrichment and academic support that complement what students receive in school, building pathways to college, careers, and lifelong success. Together, we’re not just bridging the digital divide—we’re opening doors to brighter futures.”
Gabe Middleton, CEO and co-founder of Human-I-T, said, “Every kid deserves a place where they feel safe, supported, and inspired, and that’s exactly what the Boys & Girls Club offers. By bringing technology into that space, we’re not just closing a gap, we’re opening up a world of possibility.”
This center and the laptop program are part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
We had a great time celebrating everyone at the BGC of Greater Kansas City Thornberry Unit. At AT&T, our mission is connecting people to greater possibilities, and we can’t wait to see the difference this Connected Learning Center will make for Kansas City’s students, their future and the future of our community.
