Photo Credit: Alan Karchmer/NMAAHC
AT&T(No. 4 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list)is giving $1 million to the National Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The contribution qualifies AT&T as a founding donor. The museum opened to the public on Sept. 24, on the National Mall. It tells the full story of African Americans through 11 galleries. Visitors will learn about the rich history, community and culture.
“It’s important to understand the challenges and contributions of a culture because it helps us to understand who we are as a country,” said David Huntley, senior executive vice president and chief compliance officer. “Supporting the preservation and recognition of this history and rich culture is also important to AT&T.”
AT&T history is also African American history.
Alexander Graham Bell hired African American inventor Lewis Latimer in the 1800s. He developed the drawings necessary for the first telephone’s patent.
AT&T has set out to become the world’s premiere integrated communications company. And diversity continues to be a vital part of our success.
– We share a commitment to student success in school and beyond. AT&T Aspire, our signature philanthropic initiative that focuses on education, as well as our involvement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country help to see this commitment through.
– We contributed or directed more than $177 million to organizations and projects that strengthen the African American community through corporate, employee, social investment and AT&T Foundation giving programs over the past 5 years.
– Our diverse programming lineup competes well with that of major pay TV providers in the U.S. It includes more than a dozen African American owned-and-targeted networks.
– AT&T spends billions with African American suppliers and ranked No. 1 in Fair360, formerly DiversityInc’s 2015 “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity.”
– African Americans make up nearly 20 percent of the AT&T workforce, 13 percent of management and 15 percent of the board of directors.
“The opening of this incredible museum marks a key moment in time for our country,” said Huntley. “It’s something we can all be proud of.”
