November 12, 1999
San Antonio, Texas — To help support the education and economic success of minorities and enhance access to technology, SBC Communications Inc. today announced a $1 million grant to the National Urban League's endowment fund.
The grant, funded by the SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC, is targeted to helping the League's technology programs. Specifically, the grant will help narrow the growing separation between those who have access to advanced technology and those who don't and will support the League's effort to create and maintain community technology centers.
"Knowledge of technology and access to technology are critical issues for minorities as we go into the next millennium," said Hugh B. Price, National Urban League president. "SBC is taking a leadership role in helping resolve the digital divide and we are excited to partner with them in this endeavor."
"SBC is proud to support the efforts and accomplishment of the National Urban League," said Gloria Delgado, president of the SBC Foundation. "We have a strong, active commitment to make technology more readily available to everyone, especially under-served communities. Our hope is that this grant will help narrow the divide between minorities and the mainstream."
SBC is dedicated to helping communities and organizations embrace and use new technologies to address social and economic issues. Since 1996, the SBC Foundation has given more than $12 million in technology-related grants.
Most recently, Ameritech, a subsidiary of SBC, granted the National Urban League $350,000 to fund five technology centers. These centers are scheduled to open early next year and will provide basic information technology skills for children and adults in low-income areas. Southwestern Bell, another subsidiary of SBC, has provided free computer training to more than 60,000 people through its TeleCommunity Centers which are open for anyone to use.
SBC will be recognized for its grant at the 43rd annual Equal Opportunity day Dinner, hosted by the National Urban League, on Tuesday, Nov. 9, in New York City. At this time, SBC also will be inducted into the League's Million Dollar Hall of Fame, an esteemed group of corporations and foundations that have generously donated to the organization.
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