AT&T opens Akron's first Connected Learning Center at Boys & Girls Club
Students and families at the Steve Wise Club now have free fiber internet, Dell computers and digital literacy courses, backed by a $50,000 investment. The Akron site is the company's fourth in Ohio, and 50 local families also received free refurbished laptops.
AT&T opened a Connected Learning Center (CLC) Oct. 8 inside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio (BGCNEO) Steve Wise Club in Akron, giving students and families free access to high-speed internet, computers and digital skills training.
The company invested $50,000 in BGCNEO to support the center, the first of its kind in Akron and the fourth in Ohio. AT&T also gave 50 refurbished laptops to local families who were selected before the event.
By the numbers
- $50,000 AT&T investment in BGCNEO to support the center
- 50 refurbished laptops given to local families
- Four AT&T CLCs now open in Ohio
- 100th CLC nationwide, which AT&T said it is on track to open in 2026
- $5 billion AT&T commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030
- 31 clubs BGCNEO operates across seven counties
What the center offers
The CLC provides free access to AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi and Dell computers. Dell Technologies donated OptiPlex computers with integrated audio and webcams.
Visitors can also use The Achievery, AT&T's free digital learning platform, and take free digital literacy courses offered in partnership with the Public Library Association. AT&T employees and community leaders can provide tutoring and mentoring.
"We do not take for granted the importance of connectivity, digital literacy and technical support needed to succeed in today's world," said Allen Smith, CEO of BGCNEO. "This new space will help open doors for the students and families we serve and unlock a world of learning."
Akron's mayor joins the opening
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik joined Smith, AT&T representatives, local youth and families to open the center.
"Access to technology and reliable internet is increasingly essential for education, employment, and so many parts of everyday life," Malik said. "This new Connected Learning Center gives Akron students and families another place where they can access those tools and the support to use them."
John Emra, president of AT&T Northeast, described the center as part of the company's commitment to get more Ohioans connected.
"This CLC will give kids access to internet connectivity, educational and mentoring resources to help them succeed in digital school and job environments," Emra said.
Fourth center in Ohio
The Steve Wise Club was among the first 20 nonprofits AT&T named in March to receive a CLC this year. At the time, the company reported 86 centers open across 25 states since 2021, serving more than 167,000 people.
Ohio's three earlier centers are at Esperanza and the Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center in Cleveland and at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio J. Ashburn Jr. Clubhouse in Columbus.
AT&T opens the centers inside local nonprofits that already serve their communities, and the company said it is on track to open its 100th center in 2026. The program is part of its $5 billion commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
BGCNEO runs after-school programs for youth ages 6 to 18 at 31 clubs in seven counties. There is no charge to join.
