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Closing the homework gap: New hotspots help connect university students across the country

Nashville, Tennessee (May 25, 2022) — This past year, Connected Nation and AT&T partnered to help bridge the Digital Divide and narrow the homework gap for vulnerable students across the country. As part of this $10 million dollar commitment, the Homework Gap program delivered 1,060 free mobile hotspots and 14 months of free AT&T wireless internet service to schools and organizations in need. 


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THRIVE Inc., an organization that prepares students to attend and graduate from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), was one of the many groups that benefited from the program. 


"The hotspots that were awarded to THRIVE Inc. helped during an especially challenging time — the pandemic,” said Founder/President and CEO, Victoria Gray. “Our scholars were able to complete their school assignments with ease and also connect with other postsecondary resources, such as practice college entrance exams. The hotspots also allowed scholars to use Zoom, which was our monthly meeting platform to discuss postsecondary planning."


The THRIVE scholars who received the hotspots will be attending the following HBCUs this fall: Prairie View A&M, Texas College, Howard University, Spelman College, Tennessee State University, and Lincoln University (PA). 


"The AT&T hotspot came at the perfect time because I didn't have stable internet access at home,” said THRIVE Scholar Jah'Kayla Anthony. “Having the device was beneficial for me in completing high school and preparing for college."


THRIVE recently surveyed all its students, and data indicated that 100% of them now have stable internet service at home thanks to the AT&T Homework Gap program. 


Whether students are learning remotely or in the classroom, access to affordable high-speed internet and devices helps ensure successful learning outcomes.


To learn more about the AT&T Homework Gap program and see the full list of awardees, head over to https://connectednation.org/homeworkgap/