BUFFALO- The Buffalo Urban League and AT&T joined Mission: Ignite, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and Intersect Buffalo to give away 100 laptops and backpacks to deserving recipients today. The effort is a continuation of a collaboration between AT&T and Buffalo Urban League that began in 2022 to address the digital divide in our community.
"Weare thrilled to partner with AT&T once again to empower our community with access to technology," said Thomas Beauford Jr, President & CEO ofthe 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."
AT&T provided 100 laptops and additional funding to make today’s giveaway possible and to provide for digital literacy programs through Mission: Ignite.
“Ending the digital divide in Western New York requires a commitment from many corners of our community so we are delighted to collaborate with AT&T, The Buffalo Urban League, and The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to make these computers available to those in need,” said Christine Carr-Barmasse, Executive Director of Mission: Ignite. “In addition to refurbishing and donating computers, Mission: Ignite will also offer training to ensure that recipientsare empowered to effectively use the technology to pursue education, secure jobs, and navigate the digital world in a way that helps them unlock the irpotential.”
Thelaptops were distributed directly to the leadership of the selected organizations, who will then distribute them to those they serve. This approachensures that the technology reaches those who need it most and will have thegreatest impact as we continue to close the technological gap in our community.
Thedevices will go to a variety of recipients across Buffalo. For example, theBuffalo Niagara Medical Campus and Intersect Buffalo will equip 10entrepreneurs with laptops and provide 15 laptops to distribute to kids at theDelavan-Grider Community Center which will help ensure access to essentialtechnology with the community. Intersect Buffalo’s IC Success Programprovides free, year-long support to early-stage entrepreneurs from historicallyunderserved communities including mentorship, essential resources andtechnology to launch and grow a successful business.
"AT&Tis proud to collaborate with organizations like Buffalo Urban League and allthose working with us today to help close the digital equity gap. Many studentsin Buffalo lack the devices needed for digital learning,” said Kevin Hanna,Director External Affairs, AT&T New York. “Access to connectivity isvital in helping to bridge the digital divide and we are glad we can providethese resources to those that need them most.”
This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital dividethrough internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people nationwide get andstay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. This includes distributing morethan 6,500 computers to students and their families across New York since 2021.To learn more about AT&T’s efforts to address the digital divide in NewYork, including the launch of 10 AT&T Connected Learning Centers, visit attconnects.com/New-York.
For more information, contact:
· Carima El-Behairy
Chief Development Officer
Buffalo Urban League
celbehairy@bulny.org
· Karen Twomey
AT&T Corporate Communications
Phone: 508-370-2535
Karen.Twomey@att.com
*About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C. and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
About the Buffalo Urban League
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. Our services build strong and stable families by empowering disadvantaged individuals to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. Our programs serve individuals from birth through senior years by providing family support and stabilization services, foster care, adoption, education, job training, employment, scholarships, health and wellness, financial management, business development, technical assistance, and loan and housing counseling to renters and first-time homeowners, as well as to existing homeowners to prevent foreclosures to families and individuals in our community. For more information, visit bulny.org.
About Mission: Ignite
Since 1997, Mission: Ignite has existed to end the digital divide in Western New York with the goal of sparking learning and unlocking potential. Mission: Ignite reconditions corporate computers and invests in digital literacy training programs to populations in need and offers training for youth and adults to ensure that individuals can effectively use the technology. By providing access to technology and appropriate training, we empower individuals to pursue education, secure jobs, access healthcare, and navigate the digital world with confidence.
About Intersect Buffalo
Intersect Buffalo is committed to transforming Buffalo’s East Side into a thriving, equitable community by fostering entrepreneurship, attracting investment, and promoting financial empowerment. The organization’s mission is to create sustainable opportunities that drive long-term economic growth and prosperity.
Throughthe IC Success Program, Intersect Buffalo provides free, year-long support toearly-stage entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities. Theprogram connects participants with mentors, marketplaces, and essentialresources, equipping them with the tools needed to launch and grow theirbusinesses successfully.
Originallya community engagement initiative within BNMC, Intersect Buffalo has evolvedinto an independent force for economic development.
Byestablishing Empowerment Districts, attracting investments, and promotingfinancial independence, Intersect Buffalo is driving sustainable businessgrowth and creating lasting impact in the community.
