Jamika Doakes is the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at AT&T. AT&T is a Hall of Fame company.
Jamika Doakes, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at AT&T, reflected on Black History Month, her experience honoring the history and how AT&T is working to bridge the digital divide for people in underrepresented communities.
Growing up in Alabama, Doakes’ father was adamant in teaching his children about their history, the importance of the Civil Rights Movement and the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“These moments helped me connect to my community and shaped my upbringing,” Doakes said. “I saw and learned about the struggles of Black people in this country and the triumphs — what we achieved and overcame.”
Doakes committed to community volunteerism early in her life, helping people of color join nonprofit boards to serve minority communities. These efforts translated to her work at AT&T, where she helps create connections with the communities the company serves and leads programs to make a difference.
AT&T has been working to provide high-quality connectivity to people across the country to help bridge the digital divide. This gap disproportionately affects communities of color: Seventy-seven percent of white workers have the required skills to thrive in our tech-driven economy, compared to only half of Black workers.
To help ensure that those in underserved communities have the skills and resources they need to thrive in a digital world, AT&T trains and deploys Digital Navigators across the country.
“I’m particularly passionate about this program because it focuses on training trusted members of the community to help others within their community access the internet, use technology and devices and boost their digital skills to access important resources. It’s people helping people see the true value and benefits of connectivity,” said Doakes.
“I hope in reading my story you can see the theme and importance of connection — being connected to your past, your community and even resources, and how this can drive and contribute to helping you and others to achieve greater possibilities. This is what Black History Month means to me.”
