Key Takeaways:
- AT&T and HHF team up to narrow the digital divide by enhancing digital literacy and digital learning opportunities in Latino communities.
- The joint effort includes the integration of The Achievery, AT&T’s free digital learning platform, designed to make distance learning more engaging, entertaining, and inspiring for K-12 students, as well as digital literacy workshops, to help parents and caregivers build skills and confidence using technology.
- This collaboration aims to engage over 10,000 students, parents and caregivers in underserved communities across 75 cities nationwide, with key states including Texas, Georgia, California and Florida.
What’s the news? AT&T* is contributing $1 million to the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) to empower underserved Latino communities nationwide with essential resources and tools to boost digital learning and literacy.
This contribution is part of the AT&T Connected Learning®, AT&T’s initiative to help people get computers, connectivity and the skills needed to use the internet effectively. The collaboration will provide high-quality digital literacy and learning resources for children, parents and caregivers in primarily Spanish-speaking households. The HHF will integrate The Achievery, AT&T’s free online learning platform for K-12 students, and digital literacy workshops into its programming. More than 10,000 adults and students in 75 cities are expected to benefit from this team effort.
Why is this important? It is estimated that more than 53% of Latino parents report that they do not have enough computers, tablets, or laptops to support distance learning.1 Additionally, more than 33% of Latino households do not have regular access to the internet, with 37% of whom only have access from their cellphones.2
Access to the internet is just one part of the digital divide. Knowing how to use it effectively is just as important. Many aspects of daily life - from banking to virtual learning to telehealth and job hunting - require digital literacy skills. The lack of digital learning and literacy skills has left many Spanish-speaking families vulnerable, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are people saying? “We are privileged to partner with AT&T on a comprehensive, dynamic effort to inspire, prepare, and empower Latinos – from students to parents who are Spanish-dominant and other learners – with critical tools, resources, and information to narrow the digital divide,” said Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “Beyond the tremendous investment of $1 million, AT&T is also investing in our community by sharing their knowledge, their platforms like The Achievery, and their human capital through volunteers. The ‘Connected Learning’ initiative by AT&T is appropriate because if you’re not connected – you can’t learn, work or explore possibilities.”
“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation has a longstanding reputation of identifying key issues within the community, inspiring critical change, preparing future leaders and connecting the community to essential resources,” said Mylayna Albright, assistant vice president of corporate social responsibility, AT&T. “As stewards of our communities, we are extremely proud to work with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to help bridge the digital divide. Because at AT&T, we wholeheartedly believe that connection is the bridge to possibility. And as such, we see it as vital that ALL communities have the access, affordability and the ability to adopt essential digital literacy and learning skills.”
"The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is driving real impact in the Hispanic community,” said Michelle Jordan, chief diversity officer, AT&T. “Through our collaboration, we’re empowering children and adults with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an increasingly digital world.”
Learn more at AT&T Connected Learning.
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