Access to connectivity is vital in helping to bridge the digital divide. In New York, many residents still don’t have access to the internet or connected devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
For several years, AT&T has collaborated with the Buffalo Urban League to address the device challenges faced by many students. The joint efforts have brought programming, resources and device donations. This month, that collaboration continued as AT&T donated 100 laptops to students on the West Side of Buffalo.
The Buffalo Urban League identified 10 deserving organizations in this area of the city to receive the devices and disseminate them to local families.
“We are thrilled to team up with AT&T once again to empower our community with access to technology,” said Thomas Beauford Jr, President & CEO of the Buffalo Urban League. “In today’s digital age, access to technology is essential for success. By providing laptops to these organizations, we are helping to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all members of our community have the tools they need to thrive.”
An announcement event was held on Thursday, April 25, with AT&T, Buffalo Urban League and several of the collaborating organizations. The laptops will be distributed directly to the leadership of the selected organizations, who will then distribute them to the families they serve. This approach ensures that the technology reaches those who need it most and will have the greatest impact as we continue to close the technological gap in our community.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with organizations like Buffalo Urban League and all those working with us today to help close the digital equity gap,” said Kevin Hanna, Director External Affairs, AT&T New York. “And we are glad we can provide these resources to those that need them most.”
Since 1927, the Buffalo Urban League has brought positive change and opportunities for a better future to hundreds of thousands of lives in the Buffalo-Niagara region. Their services build strong and stable families by empowering disadvantaged individuals to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights.
AT&T recently announced it’s committing an additional $3 billion by 2030 to help close the digital divide, bringing the company’s total commitment to $5 billion since 2021. We aim to help 25 million people get and stay connected by 2030.
