BUSINESSES IN THE EAST AT&T #BelieveNewOrleans

AT&T Makes Substantial Investment in New Orleans East through its #BelieveNewOrleans Initiative

Through Believe New Orleans, the men and women of AT&T in New Orleans are working with community leaders and organizations to impact historic New Orleans East, to combat poverty and support residents who are pursuing greater opportunities.

With this new support, AT&T has committed nearly $400,000 among organizations that reflect the organization’s passion for — and commitment to — the future of New Orleans East.

Strength of New Orleans Comes from the People who Believe in this City ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY MICHAEL J. RUFFIN, REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF AT&T LOUISIANA

With the holidays behind us, and here in the early days of the Mardi Gras season, I have always thought that this is the time of year to catch my breath and collect my thoughts – to take time to appreciate this great city and to focus on how the people who call New Orleans home are making a difference in our community.

Perhaps more so than in years past, in 2019, as the lead for AT&T’s Believe New Orleans campaign, I had a front row seat to the impact men and women across this city are having on our future. I saw example after example of men and women who Believe in New Orleans.

Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Calvin Mackie and his STEM NOLA team hosted nearly 450

young people from across the city at their 7th Annual STEM fest. My colleagues and I joined with dozens of other volunteers from across the city, supporting STEM NOLA as they offered young people the opportunity to explore science in new ways, to experience the technology behind a variety of applications, and to engage in engineering activities in ways that make STEM learning and STEM careers – not just a dream – but a true possibility for young people.

At the same time, the Urban League of Louisiana — through their Scale UP! Louisiana program — has been hard at work preparing area entrepreneurs for even greater successes. In 2019, they provided counseling, education, mentorship, access to funding and other resources to New Orleans East and other local small business owners, giving them the tools

to help them build scalable and profitable businesses. And later this month, the Urban League of Louisiana is launching round two of Scale UP! Louisiana, continuing to inspire innovation across New Orleans.

Throughout the year, the team at the New Orleans Business Alliance worked with many residents across New Orleans East through their STRIVE NOLA project, developing important career skills to help residents find entry-level positions in sustainable jobs. This kind of work is vital to growing our local economy and continuing to build stability in the community.

These represent just a few examples of the tremendous work that the men and women of New Orleans are doing to build better futures.

On top of that, whether it’s the folks at the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) who are supporting youth and families, leadership at the Lake Forest Charter School, beautification crews working with the East New Orleans Business Development District, or the inspiring and community-building men and women of the New Orleans Regional Black and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, there is amazing work being done by those who Believe in New Orleans.

And as the world turns their gaze to our wonderful city in the coming weeks, it is important that we recognize and appreciate that work. I am proud to live in this city, and I am proud of the work being done across the city to strengthen our economy and to cultivate a better future for our residents.