At the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s 25^th-Anniversary Fundraising Dinner – set for Sept. 17 in New York City – Bright House Networks and Scripps Networks will be recognized with the Diversity Champion Award, which annually goes to those individuals or organizations that act as catalysts for diversity within their respective organizations or throughout the cable industry. 

“For 25 years, the Walter Kaitz Foundation dinner has brought together an entire industry to focus on the importance of diversity,” said David Porter, executive director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation. “The industry applauds Bright House Networks and Scripps for their dedication to diversity and their commitment to creating better places for women and people of color to work.”

Scripps President John Lansing chairs Scripps’ Diversity Committee, an initiative that informs and guides the company’s focus on diversity and inclusion as a business imperative. Scripps has increased the presence of multicultural experts on its networks and has initiated a supplier diversity program that includes participation in the programs of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

Scripps is also dedicated to advancing diversity within its workforce. Thirty-eight percent of its executive team is currently made up of women or people of color, the company said. And Scripps has launched the Women’s Leadership Project (WLP), an initiative designed to enhance leadership development of female employees, where senior executives and outside speakers share their knowledge and experience with employees.

Meanwhile, Bright House is an active partner with community-based organizations in areas the operator serves. Partnerships include the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund in Orlando, the United Negro College Fund in Tampa, the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and the Kern Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Bakersfield. In Florida, Bright House has also supported the NAACP and the Florida Hispanic and Black Legislative Caucus. 

The company also employs a dedicated multi-cultural community relations director to build on the relationships the company maintains at its largest division, Tampa Bay, and produces a weekly public affairs segment called “Connext,” which spotlights important regional issues, strengthens relationships with local government and business leaders, and provides current information to the Hispanic community, Bright House said.

For more information about the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s 25^th-Anniversary Fundraising Dinner, contact Michelle Ray at (202) 222-2490, or via e-mail at mray@walterkaitz.org.

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