-- Ethan Bianco Garza
Ethan, a passionate student and musician from South Texas, draws inspiration from his grandmother’s bolero singing and his Latin American roots. Active in bilingual and church choirs, he uses music to celebrate and share his culture.
Growing up with limited technology—often sharing a laptop with his mom or relying on school computers—Ethan faced challenges applying to college and searching for scholarships, frequently using his smartphone for these tasks, which was time-consuming.
Everything changed when Ethan received a laptop from AT&T. With this tool, he could thoroughly research schools, prepare applications, and explore opportunities that once seemed out of reach. Ethan also earned AT&T’s Hacemos Scholarship and is now studying at Vanderbilt University—a milestone driven by his hard work and newfound digital access.
The laptop helped close the digital divide for Ethan, unlocking educational resources and enabling him to envision a future blending classical music with his heritage. His story highlights the transformative power of digital inclusion programs in empowering individuals and communities.
Ethan’s story is just one example of how AT&T is connecting people to greater possibilities through our $5 billion commitment to connect 25 million people by 2030. Find out more about this commitment here.
Carol Quintero, a lifelong Miami resident and mother of two, built her career in beauty consulting and retail management—fields where her warmth and face-to-face connection were her greatest assets. For over 20 years, computers were optional in her world. But when Carol put her career on pause to care for her ailing mother, she found herself facing a new set of challenges—ones that required digital skills she never thought she’d need.
Read Full StoryGia Duarte’s journey with AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers (CLC) at the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) in Los Angeles is a powerful example of how access to technology makes a real difference. At home, Gia struggled with limited and unreliable technology, which made it hard for her to research colleges and complete applications. Then she discovered the CLC—a reliable space where she could focus, get the resources she needed, and plan confidently for her future.
Read Full StoryMeet James, a senior from St. Louis and member of the Urban League. Recently, he joined a series of courses powered by AT&T’s digital literacy resources. In his 70s and preparing to re-enter the workforce, James is building his confidence and skills in technology, email, internet use, and more- key tools for success in today’s job market.
Read Full StoryApril, a Dallas native and mom of two, was experiencing job loss and uncertain housing. Then, her path to earning a degree took a turn for the better thanks to AT&T and the United Way’s Digital Bridges program. Through the program, April received a laptop, which helped her stay connected, manage her online classes, and keep working toward her goals without missing a beat.
Read Full Story