Throughout his nearly 20 years with Bright House Networks, and its predecessors American Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, Othor “Al” Aldridge has been a passionate advocate for community involvement. His work in public affairs embodies his philosophy, “If, as a business, you are charging the community for a service, it is your obligation to give back as well.” In a single year, Aldridge authorizes and coordinates more than $300,000 of in-kind support to Indianapolis area community and educational organizations.
Through unique partnerships and innovative public affairs programs, Aldridge has impacted dozens of local organizations including the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). He has enriched the lives of IPS students by coordinating a grant request that has resulted in putting laptops and discounted cable modems in the homes of nearly 1,200 sixth graders and by producing a video that is used in fundraising efforts for a third grade reading program.
His Beacon-award winning initiative “Bright Community Campaign” raises money for local charities by donating half of the installation fees during a two-week period. Over the three years this campaign has run, it has raised more than $81,000 for nine community organizations.
Aldridge has been fundamental in building his company’s relationship with the Hispanic and Black communities in Indianapolis. He helped to develop the Indiana Black Expo Youth Video Institute, a project that has been providing inner-city youth with telecommunications and media experience for more than 20 years.
Aldridge worked to secure nationwide coverage of the Circle City Classic, a football tournament and parade supporting traditionally Black colleges. This increased exposure led to more funds raised to provide scholarships for Black students. Aldridge also provided production and airtime for Hispanic-targeted programming “Hola Indianapolis” and “Hola USA” that reached out to Hispanics before they were recognized by much of the industry as a key demographic.
A 24-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Aldridge served his country as a broadcast journalist, public affairs officer, combat photojournalist and a senior broadcast skills assistant professor at the Department of Defense Information School at Fort Harrison in Indianapolis. He just finished his first book, Those Damn Flying Cows, a novel about Vietnam.
