One laptop at a time: How digital skills sparked an entrepreneurial dream

Lexington, Ky. (February 24, 2026) - Have you ever had the fear of the unknown hold you back from pursuing your dream? Well, that is what happened to Gwendolyn Alcorn before attending a one-of-a-kind event put on by Connected Nation (CN), AT&T, and other partners last month.

On January 21, the Black and Williams Neighborhood Center in Lexington, Ky., hosted a laptop distribution and free digital skills training event presented by CN, AT&T, the Georgetown Street Neighborhood Association, and the Marafiki Center. Through this event, 120 residents received laptops and participated in a three-hour digital skills training designed to open doors to new opportunities.

For Alcorn, the day represented more than access to technology, it was a turning point. Determined to turn a long-held dream into reality, she attended the event to take the first steps toward launching her own business. 

“I'm 73 years old,” said Alcorn. “The reason why I came today is because I did not grow up with the technology that's going on nowadays, and I'm starting a company building houses. I needed to come here to learn how to properly work a computer because I'm going to have to carry a laptop around with me from place to place with my new business.”

About five years ago, Alcorn was approached by Charlie Lanter, Commissioner for Housing Advocacy & Community Development, and Rita Ballard, an Affordable Housing Specialist for the Lexington-Fayette Urban Government, about a new business idea. They saw potential in some property she owned on the west side of Lexington — potential to create affordable housing and strengthen the neighborhood she called home.

But there was one obstacle standing in her way: Alcorn didn’t own a computer or have the digital skills needed to move forward. That changed when she heard about the event at the Black and Williams Neighborhood Center. She attended the event alongside some friends, where she received a new laptop and learned the basics of using a computer.

“Having access to a computer will help me in my day-to-day life because I won't have to make as many phone calls or write as many sticky notes and stick them all over my desk,” said Alcorn. “Now I'll be able to just put stuff on the computer. And when I'm out on the sites, I'll be able to look up stuff right there.”

She was just one of many people who were positively impacted by this event.

“Having a program like this means a lot to the Lexington community,” Alcorn said, “especially for seniors like me that really couldn't afford to buy a laptop.”

With a new laptop, new skills, and renewed confidence, Alcorn is proving that opportunity has no age limit, and that access to technology can be the key to turning dreams into reality.