High School Students to Gain Greater Access to Internet and Mentorship

Sprint and 100 Black Men of America are creating greater access for high school students in metro Atlanta.

On Nov. 12, at an event hosted by Atlanta Public Schools at Benjamin E. Mays High School, Sprint’s 1Million Project Foundation announced new, significant investments to support Atlanta area high school students who lack home internet access and face unnecessary challenges to do their homework and reach their full potential.

“The 1Million Project has made great strides toward fulfilling its mission to connect 1 million high school students nationwide, and we are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved across the country and right here in Atlanta,” said Doug Michelman, president of the 1Million Project Foundation. “And we want to do more – a lot more! So, we’re going big in Atlanta by offering a free device and free internet access to any high schooler in the Atlanta area who is missing out on the critical connectivity they need to achieve their full potential.”

The 100 Black Men of America also announced its partnership to support the program by providing mentoring to participating high school students this school year.

“As a leader in mentoring, educating and empowering youth, partnership with the 1Million Project is a natural fit for 100 Black Men of America,” said 100 Black Men of America CEO John Armstrong Jr. “We support the partnership because it helps address the education gap that has plagued the African-American community for decades. It keeps children safe at home and allows us to do what we do best – mentor.”

Since its August 2017 launch, The 1Million Project Foundation initiative has connected a total of 226,000 students at over 1,900 high schools in 33 states with internet access and devices. The foundation expects more than 70 new school districts and more than 100,000 high school students nationwide to join the initiative in its third year.

“We are in the third year of our partnership with Sprint and the 1Million Project which has afforded our students access to digital devices and high-speed internet, helping level the playing field around access to digital resources,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen. “That access is critical for our students and families and it’s essential in helping them gain 21st century skills to assist them with accomplishing their college and career goals. What’s even more exciting is that 100 Black Men of America has now joined this effort and will be providing our students who receive these digital resources with the mentorship and support they need. We are so grateful to both Sprint and 100 Black Men of America for investing in the success of our students.”

Participating metro Atlanta school districts are receiving an in-kind donation of free service from Sprint valued at almost $7.6 million, along with free mobile devices from the foundation valued at $2.1 million.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 24 percent of Atlanta households do not have internet access. Over the past two school years, the foundation worked with Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools to connect 11,200 students by providing them the essential digital tools they need to access the internet virtually anywhere, anytime – just as most of their classmates do. Now, five new school districts will join the program.

Atlanta-area 1Million Project Foundation school districts include (* indicates new participants):