DALLAS, June 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* and
CNN are collaborating to launch Youth Voices Collective, a
program to support student expression and teach writing and
journalism skills at a moment when young people are looking for
ways to speak out.
Youth Voices Collective will provide instruction and
publishing opportunities to thousands of students across the U.S.,
especially those in underserved communities, in collaboration with
826 National, the largest youth writing network in the country, and
VOX ATL, a longtime CNN collaborator that amplifies the voices of
Atlanta youth.
The program also is supporting the nationwide expansion of Six
Feet of Separation, an online newspaper established in San Francisco for students to chronicle their
experiences during COVID-19.
"Young people are experiencing a unique and challenging time,"
said Charlene Lake, SVP, Corporate
Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer, AT&T.
"It's critical we give them tools to share thoughts, feelings,
questions and concerns."
Students participating in Youth Voices Collective will
get opportunities to learn from journalists at CNN, such as
Carl Azuz, anchor and writer of CNN
10. The digital news program is producing student-focused segments
on balanced news reporting, script writing and on-air delivery.
"Storytelling is powerful, and that's especially true for young
people right now," Azuz said. "Their lives have been disrupted by a
pandemic; they've heard a lot about social unrest in the media. My
hope is that Youth Voices Collective will give
them a sense of community and provide insight into how journalists
objectively cover world events."
Young people already are providing unique vantage points on
current events. And in unique ways. 826 National's
New Orleans chapter, for example,
encouraged students to post their writing on windows, front doors,
and fences for the city to read.
"826 students in our chapters across the country write urgent
stories about the issues in their cities and communities," said
Laura Brief, 826 National CEO. "With the support of AT&T and
CNN, we're excited to be expanding that work, cultivating the next
generation of journalists and ensuring that our country benefits
from their voices and perspectives, especially in this critical
moment."
In addition to its own platforms, 826 National will introduce
students from its nine chapters across the U.S. to publishing
opportunities with Six Feet of Separation. Journalist and Six-Feet
founder Chris Colin started the
online paper to give children in his Bay Area neighborhood a way to
explore what was happening on their blocks, in their homes and in
their heads.
"Quickly it became clear it was scratching a larger itch —
providing some agency at an out-of-control time, and encouraging
young people to look at their worlds curiously and critically, with
a journalist's eye," he said.
As protests over social justice swept the U.S. in recent weeks,
Youth Voices collaborators have seen young people's need to
express themselves grow. The world needs to hear from young people
now more than ever, said Susan
Landrum, executive director of VOX ATL.
"We often say 'your voice is your power,' and we are excited for
the way this collective will help share the voices of more teens,"
Landrum said.
Financial support for Youth Voices Collective is part of
a larger $1 million contribution
AT&T is making to literacy groups through the Distance Learning
& Family Connections fund. This contribution will help these
organizations expand their reach and continue helping students
across the country. The fund was created in response to COVID-19 to
give parents, students and teachers tools for at-home learning.
Learn more about the fund and other student literacy groups
AT&T is supporting here.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at
AT&T
AT&T Inc.* is committed to advancing education, strengthening
communities and improving lives. We have a long history of
investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote
academic and economic achievement, and address community
needs. Our AT&T Aspire initiative uses
innovation in education to drive student success in school and
beyond. With a financial commitment of $550
million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology,
relationships and social innovation to help all students make their
biggest dreams a reality.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways
every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video
streaming, we innovate to improve lives. We have the nation's
fastest wireless network.** And according to America's biggest
test, we have the nation's best wireless network.*** We're
building FirstNet® just for first responders and creating
next-generation mobile 5G. With a range of TV and video products,
we deliver entertainment people love to talk about. Our smart,
highly secure solutions serve nearly 3 million global businesses –
nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide, our spirit of
service drives employees to give back to their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by
subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T
brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook
at facebook.com/att and on YouTube
at youtube.com/att.
© 2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks
and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All
other marks contained herein are the property of their respective
owners.
**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
median download speeds for Q1 2020. Ookla trademarks used under
license and reprinted with permission.
***GWS OneScore, September
2019.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-launching-literacy-program-to-amplify-youth-voices-during-pandemic-and-social-unrest-301082080.html
SOURCE AT&T Communications