This summer, I was excited to join my colleagues and other government and civic leaders to open the first AT&T Connected Learning Center (CLC) in Little Rock.
We cut the ribbon on the CLC, which is housed inside Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (P.A.R.K.) in Little Rock. At the CLC, young people will have internet access and high-quality educational tools. We also made a $50,000 contribution to P.A.R.K. for programming support.
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. Tutoring and mentoring are also provided by AT&T employees and community leaders.
What’s more, Dell Technologies has donated Dell OptiPlex computers with integrated audio and webcams. World Wide Technology, a leading supplier of IT services, handled configuration and installation.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said, “Access to information is an undeniable driver of success for young people. P.A.R.K. has had a tremendous impact on countless students in central Arkansas for many years, and AT&T’s investment in the Connected Learning Center will give students much greater access to information and help set them up for success down the road.”
Keith Jackson, the founder and president of P.A.R.K., and his entire team, are doing remarkable things at the facility.
During our ribbon cutting, Keith said that he started P.A.R.K as a way to give young people in our community access to a program that helps them improve academically, grow spiritually, serve their community and have a safe place to have fun. He also said that the center will “give our kids another powerful tool to help them learn, grow and give back. We’re excited to team up with AT&T on this project.”
This center is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. We plan to open at least 100 CLCs by the end of 2027.
Our investment in the Connected Learning Center at P.A.R.K. reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve. The center will give our young people access to resources that will help them succeed in school and on the job.
You can read what the Arkansas Democrat Gazette had to say here.
It was a great day in Little Rock, and I’m grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing this new center to life.
