Community Matters — How Austin Texas’ urban residents are bridging the Digital Divide together.

Austin, Texas (January 26, 2023) - Communities are often united by common goals or experiences. Longtime residents who lack access to the same things can empathize with one another and form plans of action to help each other. In some cases, however, individuals who are new to the area can be just as passionate about reaching those shared goals. This is undoubtedly true of Omani Gilliam.

A recent transplant to the Austin area, Gilliam has worked for AT&T for over 22 years. He knows the importance of ensuring opportunity and access to everyone. With a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Gilliam recently saw an opportunity to combine his career and his philanthropic work. AT&T partners with Connected Nation to sponsor our Digital Literacy and Learning Workshops. 

“I came across Connected Nation while reading some articles on diversity and digital inclusion,” said Gilliam. “When I saw the work they do with AT&T, I said, ‘I'm going to reach out, bridge that relationship and collaboration.”

Gilliam attended Connected Nation’s Digital Literacy and Learning Workshops on January 14, 2023, to learn more about how he could help bring digital literacy to his new hometown. Through this event, Gilliam was able to connect with CN’s host, Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTMHQ). AUTMHQ works “to make the tech industry a more diverse ecosystem… by partnering with employers, organizations, institutions, and government entities to help the Black and Hispanic community get trained to enter and thrive in the tech industry, and radically change their income and build a career” (autmhq.org)

Gilliam has served as Chapter President, National Parliamentarian, and current CFO of AT&T's historic first and largest employee group, the NETwork BICP. The NETwork encourages African Americans and other diverse individuals to attain their personal and professional goals and to lead change in their communities.

“Digital skills are so monumental to the future generations of leaders,” said Gilliam. “It makes up the path that our society is going down, and it is important to understand the basics and have that access.”

Gilliam looks forward to working closely with the Austin community in the future and using his own skills to further the missions of AT&T and Connected Nation.