HOW VERIZON PLANS TO REACH 2 MILLION MORE STUDENTS LACKING ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY

By Kandia Johnson via Black Enterprise Most of us assume that everyone has access to mobile phones, computers, and high-speed internet. But did you know, only 49% of African Americans and 51% of Hispanics have high-speed internet at home, which limits their ability to learn and excel? In fact, recent research shows that 64% of middle school students are lacking access to technology, which hinders their schooling and lowers their expectations for their futures.
Since 2012, Verizon, one of the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies in the world, has stepped up to the plate to be a part of the solution. Through the company’s Innovative Learning (VIL) program, they’ve helped over a million students. Recently, the company announced their commitment to helping 2 million more students by 2021. This expansion includes 50 new Verizon Innovative Learning Schools and a new Gen Z coalition of students and social activists aged 11-22 working to bring attention to the issues of education inequality. Full Story Via Black Enterprise