From My Past to Their Future: A Commitment to Schools in Compton

I remember the first time I ever touched a computer. I was a sixth grader in the Bay area, seated in front of a new and intriguing device that I wasn’t familiar with. Reflecting back on those early years, how could I have known how that moment would set my life on a new course, one filled with curiosity and a desire for learning. 

So, when I recently visited Kelly Elementary in Compton, our newest Verizon Innovative Learning School, and saw the students filled with excitement and smiles as they received new devices, memories of my own childhood came flooding back.

I know firsthand the feeling of having to catch up with a world that's moving fast. But as I told those kids, it is possible to dream big and make any dream a reality.

In today's world, technology is the path to success, and it's our responsibility to ensure the digital divide doesn't leave anyone behind. That's why the Verizon Innovative Learning program is so much more than just providing devices; it's about changing the outcome for so many deserving kids.

This year, three more schools in the Compton Unified School District—Kelly, Bursch, and Emerson Elementary—became a part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, bringing the total number of schools in the district to 16 schools. An additional 752 devices were hand-delivered, bringing Verizon’s overall commitment to more than $35 million in current market value in Compton Unified alone.

During the event where the devices were hand-delivered in Compton, I had the opportunity to speak with Alex Servello, Associate Vice President for Responsible Business at Verizon. He emphasized how the Verizon Innovative Learning program facilitates 24/7 learning, both in and out of the classroom. When these devices go home with the students, they open a new conversation with parents about not just digital learning, but also digital wellness.

The investment in the school district in Compton is not the only one. In California, working through our nonprofit partners, the program has reached 66 schools, serving 79,800 students (82.3% of whom qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch), and empowering 3,087 teachers.

And California is part of a much larger, nationwide effort. This year, working with our nonprofit partners, we welcomed 34 new Verizon Innovative Learning Schools nationwide, including the new three schools in Compton. Since 2014, we have welcomed 660 Verizon Innovative Learning Schools where students and teachers receive devices, connectivity, STEM curriculum, and professional learning to sustain a culture of technology integration.

Since 2012, Verizon Innovative Learning has reached nearly 9 million students nationwide. We have committed over $1 billion in market value to support digital equity and inclusion in education. These efforts are a core part of our responsible business plan, with a goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Yes, at Verizon we like to dream big.

This program is a powerful example of what is possible when we invest in our communities and our future. By equipping these students with the tools they need to succeed, we are not only bridging the digital divide, but also building a stronger, more equitable future for us all.

You might wonder why Verizon is so invested in bridging the digital gap, and the answer is simple: because it's the right thing to do. And because our workforce lives and works in these very communities, we are right at the heart of our cities, empowering the way people live, work and play.

Ultimately, this is about more than devices; it’s about our collective future. As a father, I know that our state's economy depends on a continuous pipeline of homegrown talent—workers who are not just tech-savvy, but ready to innovate. By equipping these students in Compton, in California, and across the nation with the tools they need to succeed, we are not just bridging the digital divide; we are investing in the very heart of our communities. We are nurturing the next generation of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers who will drive California forward. It is a powerful example of what is possible when we all work together to build a stronger, more equitable future for us all.