Westside residents, community members, and business leaders attended the February 16 Transform Westside Summit to hear from Venessa Harrison, AT&T’s Coastal States President, and the pivotal role of corporate partnerships, particularly with AT&T, in driving neighborhood restoration efforts.
Dr. Kimberley Hundley, Behavioral Health Specialist, House of Cherith and Home on the Westside homeowner led the devotion. John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, moderated the discussion.
Key Moments from the Conversation
A video showcased AT&T’s initiative to distribute 500 laptops to Westside students, bridging the digital divide and providing vital resources for education and connectivity. The emotional impact on families and students was evident, with expressions of gratitude and excitement at the opportunity for enhanced learning and independence. A panel discussion featuring Venessa Harrison, Robert Williams, M. Agnes Jones Elementary School Principal, and Larrie King, a parent of a student who received a laptop, provided further insights.
Harrison has worked at AT&T for more than 40 years and currently leads the company’s strategy, policy, and corporate affairs activities, as well as guides governmental and community policy decisions in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. During the discussion, she emphasized the company’s commitment to closing the digital divide through continued collaboration and investment in infrastructure and educational initiatives.
“I grew up in low-income housing projects. And this community [the historic Westside] reminds me of my community. So I felt like I was giving back using AT&T’s resources to be able to make an impact in the community,” said Harrison. “I believe that affordable housing and internet access are two of the most critical things that you need. You can’t close the digital divide if you don’t have a home for our people to live…
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