[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Introduction by John Ahmann, President & CEO, Westside Future Fund _After a short break, I am grateful to Venessa Harrison,

President of AT&T Georgia, as the first guest op-ed of 2020!  And what better theme than __Believe Atlanta__!__   To learn more about this AT&T sponsored initiative and how Believe

Atlanta is making a difference on the Historic Westside, please keep reading! _ _Venessa headlined a panel on westside entrepreneurship and innovation at the January 17 Transform Westside

Summit.  If you missed Venessa’s remarks at the Summit, you can read a recap of the discussion __here__ and__ here__, or watch a replay of the __Facebook Live Stream__.  _ _Venessa, and the

when she served on the Atlanta Committee for Progress as the then President of AT&T Georgia, and then know as Sylvia Anderson (before she and Herman married)._ _To hear directly from

some of those AT&T Believe Atlanta has supported, please click __here__ to watch this testimonial video.  It features the principal of The Booker T. Washington High School, Dr.

Coaxum-Young; Carol Hunter, Executive Director of Truly Living Well; and Calvin Rouse, a local chef._ _AT&T, and its Believe Atlanta campaign, exemplify a core theme of this column

series kicked off in August of 2018: “__The More We, The More I Can Do!__”  Thanks to AT&T and Believe Atlanta, we are getting more done while honoring the history and culture of the

Historic Westside!  _ [embedded content][embedded content] BY VENESSA HARRISON, PRESIDENT OF AT&T GEORGIA In the midst of our month-long celebration of Black History, it’s important to

remember that we all stand on the shoulders of those who went before us. Next, it’s important to ask – “how are we supporting a foundation for those who come after us?” While I’m not an

Atlanta native, all my life I have been impressed with the leadership role our city has played in striving for equal opportunity for everyone.  Atlanta has a long history of being engaged in

the Civil Rights Movement – as a focal point of struggle and, more importantly, of progress. The life of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. is entwined with the city of Atlanta. His

birthplace, his home Church and a cultural center devoted to his service are among the many historic sites clustered near downtown. Atlanta played a pivotal role in shaping civil rights in

the United States, and our community continues to assess where we are and what we need to be doing today to ensure a future in which everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. I am

proud to call Atlanta home – to be part of a community that represents our diverse world and is committed to giving back and empowering ALL people. And, as proud as I am to be a part of this

community, I am equally as proud to work for a company that celebrates diversity and empowers us to serve.   At AT&T, making a lasting impact for individuals, families and communities

is part of our DNA. For nearly a century and a half, we’ve been connecting people with each other, with opportunities, and with the future. Sure, the technology has changed a good bit over

that time, from hand-cranked phones on a wall and party lines to gigabit connections and wireless devices. But that commitment remains. The most recent visible expression of that commitment

is AT&T Believes. These are local projects where we are engaging with community partners and mobilizing our employees to address a specific local need or issue, equipping our neighbors

with the tools and education to break the cycle of poverty and secure better futures. Through Believe Atlanta – we’re working to spur economic mobility for ALL Atlantans. We are helping pave

the way to better futures by providing skills development, job preparation, and economic opportunity. In January 2019, I was proud to join with my colleague John Dwyer to help launch

Believe Atlanta. Now, a year later, I am humbled by how our employees and community have responded.  Inspired by a commitment to equity of opportunity, we are standing alongside city

leaders, community partners, non-profit associations, corporate citizens and, most importantly, Atlantans – rolling up our sleeves, believing in our community, and believing in the promise

of our neighbors. Skills for a sustainable career or the degrees and credentials to have a secure financial future are not things that only Atlantans from certain ZIP codes need or deserve.

These are vital tools for everyone – tools that better prepare us to break the generational cycle of poverty and close the wealth gap in our community. There’s a strong heritage in Atlanta

of the public and private sectors working together – collaborating to secure resources and, then, mobilizing the energy to build that future. We are making great progress and creating

opportunity, but much remains to be done.  This city is great, in large part because of our cultural diversity and how we work together. As we celebrate Black History month and the

immeasurable achievements of African Americans who have contributed to our community’s rich heritage, let us remember we all stand on the shoulders of those that went before us and rise –

together – to effect positive change for those who come after us. Our work and collective commitment to support and build a brighter future for all will help make Dr. King’s dream – and many

of our own dreams for our lives and for this city – a reality.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] _RELATED POSTS_