Title: Samsung Honors Hometown Hero and Whiz Kids Through “We are GMA” Campaign
Publish Date: 7.21.2017
Category: Education

As part of Good Morning America’s “We are GMA” series, celebrating people doing extraordinary things for their communities, Samsung had the opportunity to honor the work of Oklahoma native Larry Bross. The “We are GMA” campaign, started in February and honors one person in each state for the contributions they’ve made to their local community. Good Morning America reached out to Samsung to help support and applaud the efforts of Bross for his commitment to education for children at-risk of becoming homeless.


 
Bross has made it his life’s mission to help others struggling with poverty and homelessness and created Whiz Kids Oklahoma, an after school educational program with the mission to break the barriers of poverty and illiteracy by being proactive through education. The program provides much needed mentors, friends and role models for disadvantaged children in Oklahoma City with the aim of improving their reading skills and comprehension. With over 1,300 volunteers, the program serves 850 kids who are susceptible to child poverty. 
“If a kid can’t read, the chances of success are greatly diminished, so it’s just so important to give them tools to help them succeed. Whiz Kids need to be everywhere,” said Bross.


“We believe in empowering young minds through education and support outstanding citizens like Larry who understand the role technology plays in setting them up for successful futures.”

- Ann Woo, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America

Samsung surprised Bross with a donation of 200 Chromebook Plus laptops to Whiz Kids Oklahoma. Presented to Bross by Ann Woo, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America, the laptop donation will help to support Whiz Kids’s goal of moving into the digital era, where digital literacy has become a required skill for success.
“Larry Bross and his organization are helping children rise through education and enabling change at a pivotal point in their young lives,” said Ann Woo. “We believe in empowering young minds through education and support outstanding citizens like Larry who understand the role technology plays in setting them up for successful futures.”
Samsung continues to focus on investing in education for youth and values the efforts of individuals like Bross who share the company’s sentiment. In addition to Whiz Kids, Bross founded City Care, a transitional housing center to help those struggling to get back on their feet. City Care also raises funds to build permanent, affordable housing for the formerly homeless. He is currently working on a new project, Homes for Heroes, to build affordable housing for veterans.