Simone Manuel knows just how important access was on her path to becoming an Olympic champion swimmer. Now, she’s helping create opportunities for the next generation.
Manuel, the first Black female swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal for the U.S., partnered with Comcast to surprise students with 1,000 free laptops and free WiFi for three years at recreational facilities in Oakland, California, on Thursday.
A total of $100,000 was also contributed to the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation through the company’s Internet Essentials program.
“An awesome program that really is about providing the internet to people who normally don’t have access to it,” Manuel, who spoke virtually with Oakland students, said on “Brother from Another” on Peacock on Thursday.