Urban League President and CEO Hugh B. Price says, "This grant from Microsoft will enable the National Urban League to enhance its delivery of important programs and technology training in every Urban League community."

The Urban League offers state-of-the-art computer training for adults and children in its Digital Campus facilities. The organization also uses Microsoft products to operate preschools and administer youth development programs. The grant will allow the League to have technology programs at all of its 111 affiliates nationwide.

"If we are to close the 'Digital Divide' and prevent low-income communities from being frozen out of an increasingly technological society, comprehensive measures must be taken to fully educate African Americans, Latinos, and members of other low-income communities about hard-wired and wireless technologies," Price says.

DuPont Gift Supports Minority Scholars

DuPont has contributed $100,000 to the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program. The gift is the largest single donation to the program this year and will help 10 minority students pursue college-level study of chemistry and chemical engineering.

Yvonne Curry, director of the ACS Department of Diversity Programs, says, "DuPont's generous contribution is a significant statement of their commitment to utilize all the talent available in the work force."

W. Christopher Hollinsed, DuPont senior program consultant in strategic technology planning, explains that the company is aware of the demographic predictions for a shortfall in technically trained personnel in the 21st century and an increase in minority populations.

"Developing minority scientists and engineers is the best solution to this problem," he says.

The ACS Scholars Program reaches out to African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students who are seeking bachelor's degrees and careers in chemical sciences. It has awarded scholarships to more than 1,000 minority students since being established in 1995.

For more about the ACS Scholars Program, including an online application form, visit http://www.acs.org/scholars, telephone (800) 227-5558, ext. 6250. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2002.

Atlanta to Offer Tech Training to Go

Atlanta is putting neighborhood technology training on the road. A new Cyber Bus, bringing basic information technology skills to underserved communities, is scheduled to roll out this winter, supplementing Atlanta's 12 Cyber Centers.

"We teach how to use basic applications, e-commerce, and the Internet," says Elizabeth Ross, administrative services manager for the Mayor's Office of Community Technology. "Training in use of the applications is geared towards the audience. If we teach Excel, it'll be taught from the standpoint of household budgets. We teach people how to use the technology to enhance their everyday lives."

The Cyber Centers and the Cyber Bus are part of Atlanta's Community Technology Initiative, begun in 1999 by Mayor Bill Campbell to help close the "Digital Divide." Under the leadership of the initiative's executive director, Dr. Jabari Simama, funding for community technology was made a requirement in the bid for the city's cable franchise. AT&T Broadband, winner of the contract, offered $8.1 million for community technology over a three- to five-year period.

"Since our inception, over 6,000 people have come through and taken advantage of the centers' programs," Ross says. "These programs are designed for those persons who have never used technology and who seek to acquire technology skills for personal reasons. We're basically starting from scratch," she says.

The new Cyber Bus, designed to increase the programs' reach, is in the process of being wired with satellite hookups and computers, Ross says.

02/19/02