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The National Urban League Wire
Published: Wed. Dec 31, 1969 at 7:00 pm | Updated: Mon. Jul 11, 2011 at 10:44 am | Comments: 0
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The NAACP, National Urban League and National Action Network announced today an agreement with Comcast and NBC Universal to expand current diversity initiatives that will result in increased diversity in a wide range of areas including programming and employment.
The Memorandum of Understanding, being filed today with the Federal Communications Commission, creates initiatives to improve diversity in the areas of corporate governance, employment/workforce recruitment and retention, procurement, programming, and philanthropy and community investments.
“We applaud Comcast and NBC Universal’s leadership role. This agreement is a landmark model that we hope other companies will follow to ensure that American business and entertainment reflect the rich diversity that is the core of American life,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “We know diversity increases the prosperity and strengthens our ability as a nation to compete in the world.”
“This agreement represents a positive step in the right direction for the principle of diversity, inclusion and economic opportunity,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “We applaud Comcast and NBC Universal for its willingness to enter into written commitments toward the goal of building a first-class communications concern. We thank them for their insight and commitment.”
"This historic agreement is a template for how major corporations should commit to concrete ways they will make equity and fairness part of their business plan. This agreement supports workers, businesses, artists, and charities in our community. It is a major step toward changing the corporate culture in how it relates to our community and will help define 21st century Civil Rights,” stated National Action Network President Rev. Al Sharpton.
Highlights of the key initiatives agreed to by the corporations:
- A percentage of senior management bonuses will be linked to the achievement of diversity initiatives.
- Establishes a $20 million venture capital fund intended to expand opportunities for minority entrepreneurs in the development of new digital media applications.
- At least eight new independently owned and operated networks where minorities have substantial ownership or operational control will be launched.
- A commitment to enhance minority participation in news and public affairs programming. The creation of Diversity Advisory Councils to monitor business practices, including an African American Advisory Council to provide advice to Senior Executive
- The development and implementation of the master strategic plan to improve diversity practices, increase African American representation and retention among employees and executives at all levels of the corporation.
- Investment priorities will be expanded, including the building of tomorrow’s leaders, the expansion of digital literacy, and the promotion of community service.
- Comcast/NBCU will increase philanthropic efforts to African American led and African American-serving institutions.
"We are proud to partner with these outstanding leaders of the African American community on this Memorandum of Understanding," said David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation. "This comprehensive commitment resulting from the Comcast NBC Universal transaction will bring key benefits in the areas of programming, investment and procurement. We look forward to continuing and deepening our relationships with these organizations and the broader African American community, as well as with other diverse communities with whom we are entering similar commitments."
“We are delighted to be working with the NAACP, the National Urban League and the National Action Network as we further our shared goal of diversity in both the workplace and in the media,” commented Paula Madison, Executive Vice President, Diversity, NBC Universal. “We are also proud to be able to build on NBC Universal’s considerable progress over the past few years, and to accelerate the momentum of our commitments to minority ownership, expanded diversity programs, philanthropic efforts targeting under-served and diverse communities, and diversity among our suppliers.”
Contact:
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National Urban League Teresa Candori tcandori@nul.org (212) 558-5433 |
NAACP Chris Fleming cfleming@naacpnet.org (202) 463-2940 |
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NAACP Erika Lewis (202) 463-2940 elewis@naacpnet.org |
National Action Network Rachel Noerdlinger (646) 981-5903 rnoerdlinger@noerdlingermedia.com |
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Comcast Sena Fitzmaurice sena_fitzmaurice@comcast.com |
