KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Monday, the Knoxville Area Urban League donated laptops to families and students in the area who are in need.
In Tennessee, around 13% of families don't have access to the internet, according to AT&T. This issue is known as the digital divide.
The telecommunications company teamed up with leaders in Knoxville to help give families resources ahead of the school year. The company sent dozens of refurbished laptops to the Urban League and the Wesley House Community Center.
Volunteers chose the families who would get the computers and handed them out on Monday.
AT&T gave out 40 laptops to local senior students and said 35 other laptops will be sent to the National Achievers Society graduates who are starting college.
The Urban League said NAS was founded to identify and inspire academically accomplished minority high school students, aiming to help more young people be ready, motivated and qualified for higher education.
"In the 2023-2024 academic year, the NAS cohort comprised 88 scholars, with 35 returning," the Knoxville Area Urban League said. "This diverse group represented all high schools in Knox County, including Oak Ridge and Jefferson County high schools."