Allyship in Action at Altice USA: Black History Month 2022
Altice USA is proud to recognize Black History Month and celebrate the amazing contributions of Black Americans that have shaped the world we live in today. More importantly, we are proud to continue our work to be better allies for one another.
Throughout the month, alongside our Telecommunications businesses Optimum and Suddenlink and our News businesses News 12 and Cheddar, we will be celebrating across our communities and our company as we support Black representation, inspire cultural understanding and support Black-owned businesses.
In partnership with our Black Employee Affinity Network (BEAN), we’re proud to:
Provide Free, Online Curriculum to our Optimum and Suddenlink Customers: In partnership with social impact innovator EverFi, we are offering a four-part online curriculum that celebrates Black history. The program is free of charge and available to our customers, communities, and employees. Learn more here.
Support Black-Owned Businesses:
In the second year of our partnership with the Coalition to Back Black Businesses, we have distributed nearly 200 financial grants to Black-owned businesses throughout our Optimum and Suddenlink footprint, while also providing opportunities for our employees to volunteer as mentors to help these businesses in their areas of expertise.
Our small business division has published digital toolkits to support Black-owned SMBs, which feature a variety of topics, including email marketing and social media strategy. You can download the Optimum toolkit here and Suddenlink toolkit here.
Support Local Classrooms: As part of our $1 million commitment to supporting students and teachers in the communities we serve through DonorsChoose, a portion of our donations will go to classroom projects that address racial equity, civic participation and social justice. Read more about this partnership here.
Provide Special Programming for News Viewers: Our news brands, Cheddar and News 12, will both have on-air programming to honor and celebrate Black History Month. Cheddar recently hosted an hour-long special as part of their "All Hands: Race Toward Inclusion” series. News 12 will be integrating special factoids about Black History Month in its newscasts. Throughout the month, both Cheddar and News 12 will be welcoming special guests across their daily programming as well.
Celebrate Black Innovators: Throughout the month follow along @Optimum and @Suddenlink to learn about Black pioneers, inventors, and the communities who have been instrumental in shaping the internet where it is today.
In addition to participating in the above initiatives and programs, it is important we also take time to reflect on moments past and present and continue to look for more ways we can all uplift, celebrate and recognize the contributions of Black Americans, while being even stronger allies going forward.