Building on the Legacy of Black Leaders Who Drove Progress and Created Opportunity, T-Mobile Launches Programs for Students, Tech Workers and Business Owners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS PROVIDED BY
T-Mobile
February 5, 2021

Bellevue, Wash. — February 5, 2021— This Black History Month, T-Mobile is introducing three innovative programs that will help create even more opportunities for Black communities across the nation. The initiatives — Magenta Scholars, the NextTech Diversity Program and Magenta Edge — will provide resources and support to Black students, tech workers and business owners as they build their education, careers and livelihoods. These educational and professional development programs are the Un-carrier’s latest actions to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts within T-Mobile and beyond.

“During Black History Month, T-Mobile celebrates the legacies of Black Americans and takes inspiration to continue with our commitments to doing our part to truly advance equity for all,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “The Un-carrier has long stood for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to better serve our customers, improve how we work together and advance our communities. These innovative programs will create meaningful opportunities for Black Americans across the country and provide the resources needed to take significant steps forward – and hopefully build their own legacies.”

Magenta Scholars

Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, and by investing in their journey T-Mobile is investing in America’s future. In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the $500,000 Magenta Scholars fund will create 18 scholarships for students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), helping to alleviate the strains of debt. Scholarship winners will also have an opportunity to join the Un-carrier’s signature summer internship program, delivering mentorship and professional development opportunities. The application period opens Feb. 18, and scholarships will be awarded in the fall of 2021.

Additionally, on Feb. 9, for every customer that clicks on the Thurgood Marshall College Fund donation option in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, T-Mobile will donate $1 (up to $500,000; minimum of $250,000), which will provide funding for gap scholarships that help students meet outstanding financial obligations so they can graduate.

NextTech Diversity Program

Black professionals make up just 10% of the telecom industry’s network infrastructure field. With $750,000 in initial seed funding from T-Mobile and another $150,000 committed from other telecommunications partners, over the next five years the NextTech Diversity Program aims to provide career training and placement for thousands of diverse candidates to take on roles as 5G network technicians. Telecom trade school Learning Alliance Corporation will oversee recruitment, training, certification and job placement of candidates as they create long-term careers in roles such as tower climber, 5G small cell and field tech.

Sixty candidates will join the program in 2021, and T-Mobile is inviting all national and regional telecom partners to contract directly with The Learning Alliance to sponsor even more.

Magenta Edge

U.S. Black-owned small businesses have suffered exponentially during the COVID-19 crisis, with more than 40% expected to close their doors permanently. Magenta Edge, a T-Mobile for Business initiative, is an educational resource and social platform aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in these historically challenging times by offering expert advice, original stories and insight for all entrepreneurs through the lens of Black-owned small business. Magenta Edge provides free educational programming on subjects such as best practices for entrepreneurs, while addressing systemic barriers to Black small business success. In the coming months, Magenta Edge and T-Mobile for Business will distribute resources to stimulate the growth and resilience of Black businesses in local markets nationwide. The program will tell stories that showcase teachable moments along the small-business journey while highlighting the distinct experiences of Black business owners. This is just the initial phase of Magenta Edge, which will expand to supply additional resources in the coming years.

Visit Magenta Edge for updates on programming, new content and small business support. Virtual workshops begin Feb. 11 and registration is now open.

These new programs are pieces of T-Mobile’s broader work to further diversity, equity and inclusion among the company’s customers, employees and communities it serves. Learn more about how T-Mobile is celebrating Black History here.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com.

About Learning Alliance Corporation

Learning Alliance Corporation partners with businesses, colleges, and universities to bring US Veterans and civilians stronger training initiatives that equate to solid career growth. By partnering with local employers, Learning Alliance Corporation has created workshops, labs and simulation programs that align the theoretical concepts into real world application learning. This adaptable approach creates learning solutions based on the community specific goals, industry, staff skill level, and corporate culture. Learning Alliance Corporation provides quality instructors, who are highly trained and specialize in the areas they teach. Learn more at mylearningalliance.com.