For Black History Month this year, global telecom company, AT&T hosted its inaugural “Humanity of Connection” event.
The Feb 13 event was held at the newly opened African American Museum of History and Culture to honor leaders that have made an impact in the African American community.
According to Claudia Jones, AT&T’s VP of Public Affairs and Media Relations, the event stemmed from conversations around hosting a signature event for Black History Month and AT&T’s “Bridge” which aims to keep people connected to the people and technologies shaping the future.
Associate Director African American Museum of History and Culture, Beverly Morgan opened the event by discussing the importance of this event.
She also shared that as of Feb 13, the museum has counted over 1 million visitors.
The event also featured the first screening of a series of films from media titan Keith Clinkscales and actor Jeffrey Wright highlighting some of the most inspiring and trailblazing African American pioneers of technology and innovation.
What initially stared as a discussion on how to share a message to show the success of their African American employees evolved in to a fim that touched many.
They also chose to honor Lewis H. Latimer:
“One of the kind of interesting parts of this was the film “Hidden Figures” because in many ways, we have our own “hidden figure” in Lewis H. Latimer, who, back in the 1800s, was hired by Alexander Graham Bell to actually do the drawings that were part of the patent for the first telephones,” Jones told DIVERGE.
A big part of the film also focused on a speech that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made regarding Black Lives Matter last year addressing his employees.
“Now I’ve got to tell you, I get his anger when somebody responds to the Black Lives protest by saying “all lives matter,'” Stephenson said.
He added:
“When a parent says, ‘I love my son,’ you don’t say, ‘What about your daughter?’
When we walk or run for breast cancer funding and research, we don’t say, ‘What about prostate cancer?’
When the president says, ‘God bless America,’ we don’t say, ‘Shouldn’t God bless all countries?’
And when a person struggling with what’s been broadcast on our airwaves says, ‘black lives matter,’ we should not say ‘all lives matter’ to justify ignoring the real need for change.”
Actor Hill Harper emceed the event along with hip hop pioneer MC Lyte. It also featured remarks from civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton and poet Cleo Wade amongst other special guests.
Sharpton addressed the importance of continuing work around making history and preserving history.
“This is not a political night. All I say is as we make history,” Sharpton stated. “Let us not have our future trumped!
He added, “You cannot have a 21st century technological agenda and have a 19th century business practice.”
The company also honored game changers and trailbrazers:
Judy Smith – Author, Crisis and Reputation Expert
Isiah Thomas – NBA Hall of Famer, NBATV Analyst, Chairman & CEO of ISIAH International
Family of Lewis Latimer – Inventor and draftsman for Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone
“It is about who you are, what you stand for, and standing very strong for your values and ethics,” said Smith, discussing the three things she lives by as she accepted her award.
During his speech, Isiah Thomas shared his story overcoming poverty. He explained that he was inspired by his mother, who always smiled, no matter how bad things got. He also thanked his wife, who is a huge support in his life.
As for what AT&T wanted to get out of this event: finding common ground.
“That’s where the humanity of connection comes in. They may not see eye to eye but they can speak to each other and maybe learn more about each other and figure out where the common ground is,” Jones explained.
Over 500 people attended the event. Top executives from AT&T in attendance included Bob Quinn, Claudia Jones, David Huntley and Tanya Lombard.
Other big names that attended include Michelle Ebanks, Jesse Jackson, Patsy Thomason, Dave Grimaldi, Andre Wells, Tom Quinn, Tony Powell, and Gina Adams.
Alan Coleman, a guest at the event shared his thoughts:
“The best part about tonight was celebrating the culture and achievements of the individuals that were honored this evening,” Coleman told DIVERGE.
“The most touching element was when the executive AT&T mentioned that his father was a chauffer and he carries a picture in his wallet of him in his uniform on a private jet from AT&T,” he added. “That was just amazing to see that come full circle and to do it inside this building is even better.”
