Best Buy

Bridging the Digital Divide

Best Buy is guided by three simple behaviors: Be human, Make it real, and Think about tomorrow. The company is dedicated to enriching lives through technology, and these guiding behaviors are rooted in the work they do in communities across the country, especially in Minnesota.  

One of Best Buy’s core commitments is to prepare teens from disinvested communities for tech-reliant jobs now and in the future. One of the ways they work with youth to achieve their dreams is through Best Buy Teen Tech Centers — safe, after-school learning environments where teens can develop critical skills through hands-on activities that explore areas like programming, filmmaking, music production and design. There are currently 35 Teen Tech Centers operating in the U.S., including seven in Minnesota, with a goal of increasing that number to 100 nationwide.

In addition to career preparation, Best Buy prioritizes assisting students from these communities in their pursuit of post-secondary education. The company created two programs to financially support students pursuing a college education: a scholarship for students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and an endowment scholarship fund for students attending the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. In addition to financial support, both programs include career development opportunities and mentorship support – ensuring students have the tools to be successful from their freshman year through their first job.

Best Buy is passionate about solving longstanding digital inequities that persist in many areas of the country, inequities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company played a leading role in founding the Partnership for A ConnectedMN, a public-private partnership formed in the spring of 2020 that is bringing tech devices and internet connectivity to students across the state. The focus is on communities most in need, including Indigenous students and students of color, students from low-income families, and families residing in rural Minnesota.

Best Buy takes pride in its social impact initiatives that focus on creating opportunities for young people to access the training, tools and mentorship needed to pursue their dreams. This work is made possible through a network of dedicated employees, community organizations, vendor partners and philanthropic supporters.