Every year Verizon celebrates Black History Month, and this year was no different. But unlike other years,Verizon decided to extend the celebration into the year.
This year’s theme was “Potential of Us” and the company tapped Morris Chestnut, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, and Lance Gross as celebrity spokespeople for the telecommunication giant’s celebration.
Throughout the month of February, Verizon hosted a number of events nationwide featuring the celebrities, all in an effort to get out the company’s message of celebrities empowering the African-American community and to inspire the public to give back to the community. There were various challenges that included donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to HopeLine from Verizon to aid domestic violence victims and survivors; teaching an elder to use technology; meeting someone who inspires them; and participating in a healthy run/walk.
“I got involved because I believed in Verizon’s program and its community philosophy. Verizon doesn’t use Black History Month to sell products; it was to make a difference in the community, not only in February but year-round,” says Chestnut on why he signed on as a spokesperson of Verizon’s “Potential of Us.”
“Verizon’s outreach to the Black community is ongoing,” a Verizon spokesperson tells TNJ.com. “Our goal is to show members of the African-American community how to use technology as an empowerment tool.”
Besides working with this program, Regina Hall has just joined Verizon again this month to help promote its Safe Driving Program. According to research, 57 percent of drivers admit to texting while driving. Verizon Wireless and Hall are teaming up to encourage the public to take precautions to stay safe behind the wheel as part of the company?s “It’s Up to Me” program. The program was launched to help raise awareness throughout April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
