ATLANTA — A metro Atlanta area nonprofit that works to get technology and internet access to underserved communities was nominated for a national award.
InspiredU was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this year, and now it’s up for a “Good Neighbor” of the year award.
Channel 2’s Lori Wilson traveled with InspiredU CEO Richard Hicks to New York City when he was on Clarkson’s show.
The InspiredU organization is dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing computers and training for families from underserved communities.
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It was a mission Clarkson wanted to feature during her “Good Neighbor” segment, and Wilson was able to get a front-row seat to the success the organization has had since.
“Since the show we’ve had a lot of success, I’ve dubbed it the ‘Kelly’ effect,” Hicks told Channel 2 Action News.
Since the April appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, InspiredU has been approached by more corporate partners and has seen an increase in volunteerism, as well as being able to reach more people and train them.
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“Most of all, we’ve been able to get closer to our learners, so we’ve had learners of all ages that have been able to come in and get the training because they know more about us now,” Hicks said.
In 2023, InspiredU offered training to more than 2,500 families across 16 Georgia counties.
After training them on digital basics, the nonprofit was able to give free devices to more than 2,200 families in Georgia.
Hicks traveled back to New York in November as a finalist for the “Good Neighbor” award and this week, he’ll find out if InsipredU will be named the “Good Neighbor” of the year.
“We’ve even had people who are national since the show, and we’re like, ‘we’re not in Oregon,’” Hicks said. “So we want to make sure that we serve the community here, but they know about us now in a more amplified way. I want InspiredU to go to the places where people will find us.”
The winner of the Kelly Clarkson Show’s Good Neighbor of the Year award will be revealed on Friday at 10 a.m., right here on Channel 2 Action News.
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