"PCs to the People" is a five-year program launched by Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood, Inc.  MKN solicits  previously used Pentium-level computers from the business community and individuals, and distributes them to exceptional students in need of a personal computer.  We are particularly interested in helping single-parent households.

MKN works closely with Georgia schools to compile a list of deserving students.  We will also work with senior centers and assisted living communities to bring the new technology to the older generation of African Americans.

We need your help. Whether you are the president of a business or a private citizen, you can help make this program a success by contributing computers or cash.  The cash is used to purchase the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as computer parts.  All contributions are tax-deductible and we will issue a receipt to you.

This program cannot work without the assistance of the community.  Please help us.  

Why has MKN chosen to focus on this issue?

"The Digital Divide is biggest among high school and college students, where fewer than one-third of black students own a home computer, compared to 73 percent of white students."

- Vanderbilt University study, published in the Journal of Science

*************************************************

"While the ownership of PCs have grown significantly for minority groups since 1994, Blacks and Hispanics still lag far behind the national average. White households are still more than twice as likely (40.8%) to own a computer than Black (19.3%) or Hispanic (19.4%) households. This divide is apparent across all income levels: even at incomes higher than $75,000, Whites are more likely to have PCs (76.3%) than are Blacks (64.1%). Similarly, the rates for on-line access are nearly three times as high for Whites (21.2%) as for Blacks (7.7%) or Hispanics (8.7%)"

- Falling Through the Net II, published with information contributed by the
U.S. Bureau of the Census and U.S. Commerce Dept.

"The New Millennium will be the era of Information. Information fosters knowledge, and we all know that Knowledge is Power.  So it naturally follows that the true power in the 21st century will belong to those with access to the Information."

- Richard Kenyada

A Salute to Our Sponsors

1998

Renee King - Donation, Fundraiser

Darni Bolden - Donation, Editor

Portia Bolden - Donation

Clara DeLay - Donation, Volunteer

Gail Darlington - Donation, Web site link

"Mich-Choc" - Donation

"Myster E" - Donation

Hattie Ellis - Donation

Heritage Printing & Frames - Donation

Robert Harris - Donation, Fundraiser

"Queen Bee" - Donation

Keva - Donation

Roxine Garris - Donation

Kimberly - Donation

Michelle - Donation

"HellyHell" - Donation

"Ms. Mini" - Donation

David Brown - Donation, Web site Columnist

Roger Ford (SixM Connection) - Donation

Monique - Donation

Yvette Harper - Donation

Tonya - Donation

1999

Mary Gay  - A Computer System

Heath & Lineback Engineers, Inc. - Computer Hardware

Jay Rice - Computers and Software, Accessories

O. Curtis White  - Computer Hardware

Roger Ford - Donation

Darni Bolden - Donation, Volunteer

Portia Bolden - Donation

David Brown - Essay Contest Sponsor (Computer Printer)

Tom Harris Salon (Trey Harris) - Essay Contest Sponsor

Cynthia Colbert - Donation, Web site columnist

Renee King - Donation, Web site feature columnist 

Smith, Gambrell and Russell, L.L.P. - Computer Hardware

(Paul Hinson) Self, Glaser & Davis, L.L.P. - Computer Hardware, Fax Machine

(N. Daniel)  PricewaterhouseCoopers - Laptop Computers

Elke Davidson, Michael G. - MacIntosh Computer System, Laser printer, Software

Mr. & Ms. Aaron Ribner - Pentium Computer System

Ms. Clara DeLay - Donation, Volunteer

Dr. Anthony Parrish, DMD

Mr. O'Neil Moss - Donation

Ms. Phyllis Brower - Donation

Ms. Lisa Crockett - Donation

Strong Enterprises, Inc. - William Strong - Sponsor

Circuit City - Essay contest sponsor

Kroger Food Stores (Lithonia) - Essay Contest Sponsor 

Mr. J. Lawrence Smith - Donation, Essay Contest Sponsor, Volunteer

Mr. Glenn Hearn - Donation, Volunteer, MKN V. President

Renee Booker - Donation

Mr. & Ms. Wendell Johnson - Donation

Ms. Danielle Rhodes - Donation

United Way - Computer Software

2000

Ms. Anna Leatherwood - Donation

Ms. Simone Manning-Moon - Donation

Mr. & Ms. J.L. Smith -Donation, Volunteer

Dr. Anthony Parrish, DDS, PC- Donation

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Jacki Rudd, Chief Pagination Editor) - Computers

Ms. Vera Robinson- Donation

Ms. Hattie Kenyada - Donation

Ms. Darni Bolden - Donation

Ms. Portia Bolden - Donation

Ms. Kim Martin - Computer Donation

Ms. Eunice Kirby- Donation

Mr. James Daniels - Computer Monitors

Ms. Clara DeLay - Donation, Corporate Secretary, Volunteer

Mr. Glenn Hearn - Donation, Vice-President, Volunteer

Ms. Renee King - Donation

Ms. Athena Jones - Computer Monitor

Ms. Danielle Rhodes - Donation

Mr. James Smith - Donation

Mr. Ken Pressley - Donation

Ms. Patricia Kenyada - Donation

Mr. Richard Kenyada - Donation, Volunteer

HEATH & LINEBACK ENGINEERS, INC. -Computers

STRONG ENTERPRISES, INC - Donation
A sponsor of the MKN Essay Contest 
for the third consecutive year

AMERICA'S MART - Donation
Systems Manager David Jeffries
donated 36 Pentium-class computer systems
[Special thanks to Renee King]

SYMANTEC, maker of great NORTON Utility software, is a sponsor
of MKN's Essay Contest for the second consecutive year.

Logitech has donated 21 TrackMan Marble FX Mouses
to MKN's Seniors Computer Workshop to facilitate
easier mouse manipulation for our elderly web surfers.

2001

Hewlett-Packard Company
OmniBook EX3

Ms. Yalander Lattimore (Sistory) - Donation (computers and cash)

Mr. Ronald Tyson - Donation

TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM - THE SUPERSTATION
Huge Donation - Cash
Huge Donation - Computers, Printers
Public Service Advertisements (PSA)

Ashton Savoy - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Ashton is a teen volunteer

LaShelle White - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Tuere Bowles - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Tuere helped design our Workshop workbook

Ms. Kim Martin - Computer hard drive
Kim is an engineer at H&L; Richard's co-worker

Mr. William Strong, Strong Enterprises - Donation
Strong Enterprises has sponsored MKN since 1998

Heath & Lineback Engineers - Computers

Lynne Connolly, DeKalb Library - Computer
Lynne is the Training Librarian who takes part in the seniors workshops

Cheryl Barker - Computer
Cheryl is also our lead volunteer for the Seniors Computer Workshop

Mr. & Mrs. Ron Rowe - Donation
[The Rowe's daughter was a recipient of an MKN computer]

Dr. Michael Foster, M.D.
Dr. Foster's daughter received a computer this year

Trey Harris III - Tom Harris Hair Salon
Trey has sponsored MKN since 1998

Ms. Clara DeLay - Donation
Clara, an MKN Board Member, has sponsored MKN since 1998

Ms. Kim Lynch - Pentium Computer system

AMERICA'S MART - Donation
Systems Manager David Jeffries
donated 30 Pentium-class computer systems
[this brings their total PC contribution to 66 PC systems]

Ken Pressley - Donation/Sponsorship
Mr. Pressley has sponsored MKN since 2000

2002

TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM - THE SUPERSTATION
Public Service Advertisements (PSA)

Clarence Barnes - Computer Donation, Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Mr. Barnes has volunteered since 2001

Cheryl Barker - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Cheryl has volunteered since 2000

Rose Boggus - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Rose has worked with MKN since 2000

Mr. & Mrs. Feimster - Computer Donation

Michael Larry - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Hettie Summerlin - Cash Donation
Hettie was a student at the Seniors Computer Workshop

Calvin O'Rear - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Rhonda Burns - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Barbara Houston - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Tamara Harris - Seniors Workshop Volunteer

Val Fitchett - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Val has worked with MKN since 2000

Mr. William Strong, Strong Enterprises - Donation
Strong Enterprises has sponsored MKN since 1998

Connie Sultani - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Connie has worked with MKN since 2001

Lita McCormick - Computers & Printer Donation
Lita and her Dad, both donated computer systems

Charisse Boone - Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Charisse has worked with MKN since 2001

Glenn Hearn - MKN Co-Founder, Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Glenn's contribution to MKN is immeasurable

Tricia Kenyada - MKN officer, Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Tricia is responsible for much of MKN's success

2003

Kyra D. James - Cash Donation
Ms. James is a new contributor

Cynthia Colbert- Graphic Artistry
Ms. Colbert crated our 5th Anniversary logo

O. Curtis White - Video Production Services
Mr. White is the producer of Atlanta Cable TV program,
"Open Window" on which Richard Kenyada has appeared
to promote MKN's PC's to the People program.

SAM'S CLUB at Stonecrest - $500 Cash Donation
Sam's Club Grand Opening, September 7, 2003
This is their first contribution to MKN.

AMERICA'S MART - Computer Donation
Systems Manager David Jeffries
donated 25 Pentium III-class computer systems
[this brings their total PC contribution to 91 PC systems]

LOVE 4 ONE ANOTHER CHARITIES - $3,000 Donation
The Minneapolis philanthropic foundation headed by Prince
[yes, that Prince] quietly sent a check in support of MKN.

Clarence Barnes - Computer Refurbisher, Computer Pick-up
Mr. Barnes has volunteered since 2001

Paul Edwards - Computer Refurbisher, Computer Pick-up

Mark Burks & friend - Donated two Pentium computer systems

Calvin O'Rear - Computer Pick-up
Mr. O'Rear has volunteered since 2002

Renee King - Cash Donation
Renee has sponsored/supported MKN since 1998.
She is responsible for our initial contact with AmericasMart

Sistory - Cash Donation
Sistory has sponsored/supported MKN since 1999

Ms. Simone Manning-Moon - Cash Donation
Simone has given her support and assistance since 1999

Dryer Buzz (Sistory's Magazine) - Cash Donation
Promotes donations to MKN through PayPal

Clara DeLay- Cash Donation
Clara, an MKN Board Member, has sponsored MKN since 1998

Mr. William Strong, Strong Enterprises - Donation
Strong Enterprises has sponsored MKN since 1998

Glenn Hearn - MKN Co-Founder, Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Glenn's contribution to MKN is immeasurable

Tricia Kenyada - MKN officer, Seniors Workshop Volunteer
Tricia is responsible for much of MKN's success

2004

AMERICA'S MART - Computer Donation
Systems Manager David Jeffries
donated 25 Pentium II- and III-class computer systems
[this brings their total PC contribution to 125 PC systems]

Kevin Granberry - Computer Pick-up & Computer Repair

Clarence Barnes - Computers-4-Kids 2004
Mr. Barnes has volunteered since 2001

Clara DeLay- Computer Pick-up
Clara, an MKN Board Member, has sponsored MKN since 1998

Glenn Hearn - MKN Co-Founder
Glenn's contribution to MKN is immeasurable

Tricia Kenyada - MKN officer
Tricia is responsible for much of MKN's success

 The Neighborhood  |  Home Page

PCs to the People:
At Work in the Community

Meet Some of Our Computer Recipients

Deshana  |  Jessica  |  Nathan  |  Ms. Wilson  |  Rosilin

Kalisha  |  Cassandra  |  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Deshana

Meet Deshana, 7, an Honor Roll student at a DeKalb County elementary school.  In a very moving letter to MKN, her teacher,  Annette, recommended Deshana for our PCs to the People program.

Annette wrote, " ... She is an extremely bright little girl in a very underprivileged school.... The antiquated computers we have in our classroom do little more than give the children keyboard experience.  I want Deshana to have the same opportunities as the children who come from schools with well endowed PTAs or fancy computers at home."

Well, thanks to Annette, Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood awarded Deshana a Pentium computer to help her achieve her fullest scholastic potential.  Deshana's two loving parents, Deborah and Willie attended the brief ceremony/photo session at the school.

The Village    ...and The Child
Seated (l-r) Annette, Deborah, Deshana and Willie. 
Standing (l-r) MKN's Glenn Hearn, Richard Kenyada, 
J. Lawrence Smith and Tricia Kenyada

It was difficult to tell who was more excited - little Deshana, her parents, her teacher ....or MKN. This is the culmination of the original idea behind Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood - the business community, the educational facility and the family, working together with a volunteer organization to affect Change.

MKN wishes to thank Heath & Lineback Engineers for donating the computer; Annette who, despite being nine months pregnant joined us for the ceremony; and the family for giving us something to celebrate.

 The Neighborhood  |  Home Page

Deshana  |  Jessica  |  Nathan  |  Ms. Wilson  |  Rosilin

Kalisha  |  Cassandra  |  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Jessica

Don’t let the pretty face fool you. This 11-year old student at an elementary school in South DeKalb is just as likely to garner first place awards at science fairs, as she is to win a beauty contest. Jessica’s favorite subjects are math and science, and you’ll find her name among the top achievers in her school. She is a consistent Honor Roll student, as well as a Principal’s Scholar. And her creative side must be just as developed, because she has a desire to design clothing. She also participates in a DeKalb County program for gifted students. As you may have suspected, Jessica is part of a supportive and loving family that includes her little brother Alex, 5, and her loving parents, Michelle and Marc, who would love to see their daughter go into the engineering field.

Jessica becomes our second recipient of a computer in our PCs to the People program, receiving a Pentium computer with monitor, modem, speakers and a CD-ROM drive. We know that Jessica will use her computer to further expand her horizons, and we are proud to have played even a small role in her ascension to what promises to be a very bright future.

Deshana  |   Nathan  |  Ms. Wilson  |  Rosilin

Kalisha  |  Cassandra  |  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Nathan

(l-r) Ms. Greene, Glenn Hearn, Nathan Greene and JoAnn Jones

Nathan Greene, an 8th grade student at Holcomb Bridge Middle School in Fulton County became a recipient of MKN's PC's to the People program, when he was awarded a used Macintosh computer system, including monitor, printer, CD-ROM and modem.  Nathan, an aspiring musician who plays guitar and composes his own music, is also an excellent student.  

MKN Vice President Glenn Hearn made the presentation of the computer during HBMS's Family Night/Technology Night festivities on January 11th.  JoAnn Jones, Co-President of HBMS's PTA first contacted MKN last year and invited us to take part in their program. We are very happy to have contributed to Nathan's successful future.

The donator of this particular computer system is himself a musician. So it is gratifying that we can recycle this computer by passing it on to a gifted young man of Nathan's caliber. We wish to thank Ms. Jones for her interest in our project, and her help in finding Nathan Greene.  Of course we also wish to thank Ms. Greene for raising a child worthy of this kind of recognition.

Deshana  |  Jessica  |  Ms. Wilson  |  Rosilin

Kalisha  |  Cassandra  |  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Ms. Betty Wilson

This recently retired Atlanta grandmother was one of the first to request a computer from MKN back in June 1999. Her work experience with computers made her a favored candidate because she needed no training to get started.

Ms. Wilson's two grandsons - aged 3 and 17 - will now have access to a computer away from school and the library.

With her computer, Betty hopes to keep in contact with friends and family all over the country, in addition to finding information that will improve the quality of her retirement.  MKN is proud to have helped Ms. Betty Wilson in this way.

Deshana  |  Jessica  |  Nathan  |   Rosilin

Kalisha  |  Cassandra  |  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Rosilin 

Ms. Dot West, Counselor at Miller Grove Middle School in Lithonia, wrote to MKN to recommend Rosilin for our program.

"We recommend Rosilin for your utmost consideration to award her a computer. She is a good and deserving student, eager and anxious to learn. She is the kind of student that would put a computer to excellent educational use," wrote Ms. West.

Indeed, when we delivered and set up the computer, we met Rosilin and her wonderful family - her Mom, Digna Johnson, and her Dad, Erskine Johnson. It was very clear why Rosilin is so deserving of her school counselor's praise. She is surrounded by a loving and supportive family.

Deshana  |  Jessica  |  Nathan  |  Ms. Wilson |  Kalisha  |  Cassandra

|  Shannon  |  Tony  |  Angelica

Kalisha is 10 years old and she is currently in the 5th grade at Brown's Mill Elementary School, which is a magnet school for high achievers. In recommending Kalisha to receive a computer, her language arts teacher, Mrs. Waddick, told MKN, "Kalisha will be able to produce exceptional papers and will be better prepared for her middle school and high school classes."

When Kalisha's dad, Ron, heard about the PCs to the People program, he contacted MKN and immediately completed the application process. There are very few fathers who contact MKN, so Ron's interest in his daughter's educational advancement was quite encouraging. Kalisha is one of four siblings at home. She has an older sister, Kayla (12), a younger brother, Ron Jr. and another brother was is just a toddler. To be in the same room with their proud, beaming parents, one understands how Kalisha can be such a happy and accomplished young girl. We hope that the addition of this computer to this wonderful family will expand their boundaries even farther.

Cassandra

Cassandra's school counselor at Redan High School in Stone Mountain recommended her to receive a computer. "A personal computer would greatly assist her in completing her research assignments as well as in guiding her efforts to access information through the Web," wrote Mr. Henry Harris. Cassandra also has three school age sisters who will benefit from using the computer. In fact, Cassandra's family will be the first to receive two computers in our program.                       

Shannon (right) is 10 years old and attends Shadow Rock Elementary School in Stone Mountain. In recommending Shannon for our program, her teacher, Ms. Deas stated, "I feel that this computer will help her to enhance her writing skills and serve as a vital resource that she could use to motivate and stimulate her thirst for knowledge.... Having a computer at her fingertips will provide a constant resource of information."

Shannon lives with her aunt and cousins, so her computer will be put to good use in a household that stresses education.  MKN is pleased that we could help in this way.

Tony

In writing on behalf of her nephew, Tony, Dorothy Wesley (l.) stated, "I am writing to you on behalf of my  15 year old nephew. He lives in Decatur. He is a very, very bright young man. He is an A/B student and is well liked by all of his teachers, friends and community.  He is a hard worker and very responsible for a person his age.  He is in advanced courses at Towers High School, so his teachers require a lot from him. I know he would be able to achieve more if he had access to a computer in his home."

MKN met with Tony, his mother (r.) and sister, as well as Dorothy Wesley during a mass computer distribution at Meguhe Computer on April 14, 2001. 

Angelica

 The Neighborhood  |  Home Page