The unveiling of the 2024 AIM/PAR Workplace Diversity Study highlights the annual Diversity Week of gatherings recognizing diversity and inclusion efforts within the media and entertainment industries. 

The week of events begins October 21 with the WICT Network Leadership Conference, followed by the October 22 NAMIC Conference and the October 23 Kaitz Dinner, now under the auspices of the NCTA Educational Foundation (formerly the Walter Kaitz Foundation).

WICT and NAMIC will once again team to offer the latest AIM/PAR Workplace Survey, a biennial report on the current state of ethnic and gender diversity within the media and entertainment industry. Industry executives hope the new survey will surpass the results from the 2022 report, which showed major gains for women in the workforce but a decline in the share of people of color employed compared to 2019. (The 2022 survey was delayed a year due to the pandemic.)

“It’s going to be fascinating to see how the industry fared in terms of women and people of color,” WICT Network president and CEO Maria E. Brennan said. “Depending on what kind of company you keep there’s either a stronger commitment than ever to diversity, or one that looks at DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) as some sort of entitlement program where it personifies the complete misunderstanding of what diversity and inclusion means for everyone across the board.”

NAMIC president Shuanise Washington also hopes this year’s survey will show an improvement. “Those companies who are absolutely committed to diversity see an ROI (return on investment) in terms of better outcomes and better business results, as well as positive work environments and work cultures in those companies,” she said. “Those efforts hopefully will continue to grow despite the tangential conversations that will be taking place to some degree.” 

WICT, NAMIC Set To Gather

The two-day WICT Network Leadership Conference & Touchstones Luncheon kicks off Diversity Week October 21 under the theme “Fuel­ing Your Power and Purpose,” and will focus on the leadership qualities and the importance of fostering an inclusive workforce culture.

The Touchstones Luncheon will honor its 2024 Women of the Year winners Amy Blair, Liberty Global chief people officer; Johnita Due, CNN Worldwide executive VP, integrity and inclusion; and Sandy Howe, ATX Networks board director. The organization will also honor three Women to Watch during the luncheon: Charter Communications head of operations, sales and marketing Julie Unruh; AMC Networks executive VP, linear and streaming products Courtney Thomasma; and Amazon Web Services Global director of solutions architecture for media & entertainment, games and sports Steph Lone. 

MSNBC president Rashida Jones is honorary chair of the NAMIC Conference, set for October 22-23. “We are honored to have Rashida Jones as this year’s honorary chair,” Washington said. “Her leadership and vision are transforming the media landscape, setting new standards for excellence and inclusion.”

Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga will keynote NAMIC’s 38th annual conference. Washington said the conference’s theme, “Diverse Voices! Defining the Future …,” will focus not only on empowering diverse voices not only within the industry, but exploring potential partnerships with tangential companies.

“This year’s conference embodies a pivotal moment of change and progress as we navigate and shape the future of our industry together, ” Washington added. 

“Do Good. Be Better. Impact Tomorrow.” is the theme for the October 23 Kaitz Dinner diversity fundraising event. The dinner is the first since the Walter Kaitz Foundation was fully integrated into the NCTA Education Foundation in May. The NCTA Education Foundation is dedicated to leveraging the industry’s positive impact on communities, NCTA said. 

The NCTA Education Foundation will continue the former Kaitz Foundation’s grant-making programs and support for legacy industry organizations and efforts, according to NCTA. 

The Kaitz Dinner will honor two ChangeMakers “who have made a significant impact and resonance around diversity and inclusion in our industry over the last year,” said the organization. Comcast NBCUniversal is the Ambassador Sponsor, with Charter Communications the Champion Sponsor. 

Last year’s 40th anniversary Kaitz fundraising dinner raised more than $1.1 million toward the media and connectivity industry’s DEI efforts. 

Creating and shaping the television industry’s future, building legacies and staying focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts are all themes that will resonate throughout September Diversity Week festivities in New York.

The WICT Network’s Leadership Conference, the 37th Annual NAMIC Conference and The Walter Kaitz Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Dinner — all of which will take place during the week of September 18 — will seek to build on last year’s return to an in-person celebration by emphasizing the industry’s valuing of DEI efforts as a way to stay competitive in an evolving entertainment marketplace, organizers said.  

“The industry is doubling down on DEI, given everything that is going on in our industry with the shifts in companies and the economic environment in which our business is operated,” NAMIC president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington said. “We’re way too invested in DEI and what it means to the industry. For the most part, our CEOs are clear that DEI is not a feel-good proposition, but it actually ties itself to the bottom line.” 

WICT Kicks Off Week

The WICT Network will open Diversity Week on September 18 with its annual Leadership Conference. Under the theme “Co-Create the Future,” conference organizers said the two-day event will feature more sessions and networking roundtables than previous iterations.  

WICT will dole out honors during its opening day Touchstones Luncheon, including for its “Women of the Year”: Comcast executive VP and chief diversity officer Dalila Wilson-Scott and Paramount Global president and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences Pam Kaufman. The organization will also honor three “Women to Watch”: Charter Communications senior VP of billing strategy and design, customer operations Stephanie Babin; A+E Networks senior VP, legal and business affairs Kelley Drukker; and Listing Central LLC founder and CEO Nicole Nixon. 

“The industry’s commitment to DEI is stronger than ever,” WICT president and CEO Maria Brennan said. “Our conference promises an opportunity for established and emerging leaders to gain the insights, strategies, and inspiration that are essential for navigating the ever-evolving challenges of our time.”  

The 37th annual NAMIC Conference, under the theme “Our Legacy, a Mosaic of Possibilities,” will look to provide attendees — through numerous interactive sessions and networking opportunities — with actionable solutions to advance diversity and inclusion within their companies, Washington said.   

NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt will headline the NAMIC conference, which runs over two days beginning September 19. During the conference, NAMIC will also honor NBCU News Group’s Jose Diaz-Balart with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award during the September 20 Awards Luncheon. Other confirmed NAMIC conference speakers include film producer Will Packer and best-selling author Steve Pemberton.

“The conference is really about embracing our 40-plus year legacy of being focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, and exploring what the possibilities are in terms of going forward,” Washington said. 

Kaitz Keeps DEI in Focus

Comcast’s Wilson-Scott, along with Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels, will co-chair the 40th anniversary Walter Kaitz Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner on September 23. With its theme of “Staying Focused,” the fundraising affair will acknowledge the DEI progress that the industry has made through the foundation’s partners and supporters, Kaitz officials said.

Charter Communications will sponsor a pre-dinner reception, including a silent auction of “a carefully curated collection of items and experiences,” Kaitz said.

This year’s Diversity Week output will not include the industry’s joint NAMIC and WICT diversity employment study, released every two years. 

Last year’s report concluded that female representation in the workforce increased by 5 percentage points since the prior report in 2019, even as the pandemic had a significantly greater impact on the employment of women overall. Workforce representation by people of color fell by 7 percentage points, dropping to 37% from 44% since the 2019 survey. 

This past April, veteran television executive Douglas Holloway was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame, but his influence on the television landscape across a more than 40-year career reaches beyond the cable industry. 

Holloway, who began his extensive television career at CBS in 1979, was at the forefront of cable’s innovative years when he joined USA Network in 1983, eventually serving as the network's president of affiliate relations over a 21-year career that also included receiving the 2000 NCTA Vanguard Award for Marketing among other industry honors.

Holloway would venture back into the broadcast arena in 2011 as president of multichannel distribution at Ion Media Networks before moving into the streaming space in 2020 with the launch of two urban-focused services, URBN-TV and UKW Media, targeting multicultural viewers on the emerging digital platform.

Holloway’s influence can also be seen in the television industry’s multicultural efforts, having been an integral part of the development of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and serving as a mentor to executives of color seeking to make inroads within the television marketplace.

Holloway recently sat down with Multichannel News senior content producer, programming R. Thomas Umstead to discuss his career, the growth of the cable industry and his future plans in the streaming space. The interview was edited for space and clarity. 

MCN: When you first started in the cable industry, could you have ever foreseen the growth and the influence the industry would have on the entertainment landscape?

Douglas Holloway: No. When I joined the cable industry, it was in 1980 and there really weren’t any real cable networks to speak of. When I joined USA Network in 1983, [then USA Network president] Kay Koplovitz always pushed us to believe that one day cable would be comparable to broadcast networks, but back then we thought that was a bit of a pipe dream. Even in the ’80s and ’90s, as cable started to grow and flourish, nobody thought it would have the impact that it has had. No one thought that cable would be able to make the kind of money that it has made in profit and finance the kind of quality programming that it is known for. Once it took hold, other technologies like satellite television would end up evolving from the cable business model. Back then no one could have predicted the onset or even the invention of streaming.

MCN: What was the turning point for the industry in terms of making that turn from questionable business venture to extreme success and profitability?

DH: When the large, urban markets and the small rural markets were able to get cable. Over a five- to 10-year period starting in the late 1980s, the industry signed up a large amount of subscribers, and those subscribers paid affiliate fees. That was really the turning point for cable. The other thing was the technology. Systems went from offering 15 channels to 25 to 60 and eventually hundreds of channels.

MCN: During those early years of cable, there weren’t many people of color working within the industry. This led to the creation of NAMIC, which you had a big hand in developing. How important was the establishment of NAMIC and the movement toward greater representation for the overall growth and success of the industry?

DH: NAMIC goes back to 1981 and to one of my mentors, [Time Warner Cable executive] Nate Garner. Nate, as well as several other visionaries including Barry Washington, saw the need for Black entrepreneurship and Black executives at the system level as well as at the network level. They saw the lack of representation on the broadcast industry side and were determined not to allow it to repeat itself from the cable business since we were there at the beginning. That’s how we began to envision how NAMIC could work within the industry.

MCN: You were at the forefront of the cable industry’s development, and now you’re part of the evolving streaming business having launched two, Internet-based services. What is your vision for the networks?

DH: Through my years working for a number of different television networks, I’ve seen a lot of research, and what I’ve learned is that the term urban programming isn’t necessarily defined by a specific race or demographic, but it’s a psychographic or lifestyle variable. Urban meant shared lifestyle experiences and attitudes, so if you programmed to that urban lifestyle variable, you could have a business proposition. The population has become more multicultural with the growth of Blacks, Hispanics and Asians in this country. So what I’m doing with my two services is programming those genres that I know have shared interests by the urban, multicultural audience. 

So I have programming that appeals to different audiences, but with an urban sensibility. I’d say 60% to 70% of my content is original that I’ve licensed from independent creators, that covers all genres from feature films, animation, webisodes, documentaries, long-term features and some music. 

MCN: What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment within the industry?

DH: I think it’s been my involvement, creation and building of NAMIC and seeing it help create opportunities within the industry. The second thing I would say is the creation of the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy). I identified the concept for the channel while I was at USA when we were looking for new networks to launch back in the early 1990s. I also did one of the first deals with DirecTV to get the channel launched. I think we eventually launched with about 10 million to 12 million homes, which was big at that time.

MCN: Do you think that niche cable networks like Syfy can continue to exist and prosper in the fast evolving television marketplace? 

DH: Yes, I think those networks will continue to exist. It’s almost like when television came along, people thought that movies were going to go away. They may not remain at the size they once were, but I think they will survive on the linear side and eventually migrate to the non-linear side, possibly as a fast channel or an app version. Established brands like that will be able to reach across all platforms.    

AMC’s drama series Dark Winds won multiple National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Vision Awards to lead all shows, the diversity organization announced Tuesday morning.  

The freshman series won two NAMIC Vision Awards -- which celebrate original, multiplatform television programming that reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the viewing audience -- including best drama series, beating out strong competition from Fox’s 9-1-1, ABC's Grey’s Anatomy and Women of the Movement, and Paramount Plus’s The Good Fight.

Dark Winds star Zahn McClarnon also won a Vision Award for best performance in a drama series, besting Cliff “Method Man” Smith (Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost); Courtney B. Vance (AMC’s 61st Street), Patina Miller (Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kana) and Viola Davis (Showtime’s The First Lady).

Also: Zahn McClarnon Hopes ‘Dark Winds’ Series Opens Eyes to Native American Actors, Stories: Multicultural Perspectives

CBS’ veteran series The Neighborhood took home the award for best comedy, topping ABC’s Abbott Elementary, black-ish and The Wonder Years, as well as Disney Plus’s Ms. Marvel. 

Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani won the best performance in a comedy award for her starring role in the Disney Plus series, beating out Frankie Quiñones (Hulu’s This Fool) Omari Hardwick (Paramount Plus’ Fantasy Football) Raven-Symoné (Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home) and Tichina Arnold (CBS’s The Neighborhood) for the honor.

HBO Max’s Pause with Sam Jay was the only repeat winner, taking honors in the Variety/Talk Show category for the second straight year. 

“We are honored to recognize the outstanding achievements of the 2023 Vision Award recipients, whose innovative programming has not only captivated audiences but also reflects our society's diverse voices and perspectives,” NAMIC president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington said in a statement. “The Vision Awards celebrate excellence in programming that pushes the boundaries of creativity, storytelling, and inclusivity. The work celebrated this year reminds us of the power of diverse representation and the importance of telling authentic stories that resonate with viewers from all walks of life.” 

The complete list of the 2023 NAMIC Vision Awards appears below: 

Animation 

More Than I Want to Remember – MTV Entertainment Studios 

Best Performance – Comedy

Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) – Disney Plus 

Best Performance – Drama 

Zahn McClarnon: (Dark Winds) – AMC 

Children’s

Sesame Street – Sesame Workshop 

Comedy 

Ms. Marvel – Disney Plus

Digital Media – Short Form 

Historian’s Take: What is #LandBack? Inside New Native American TV Shows – PBS 

Documentary 

Fannie Lou Hamer’s America: An America ReFramed Special – American Documentary, Inc. 

Drama

Dark Winds – AMC 

Lifestyle 

Delicious Miss Brown – Food Network 

News/Informational 

The Color of Care – Smithsonian Channel 

Original Movie or Special 

REVOLT x Michelle Obama: The Cross-Generational Conversation – REVOLT 

Reality 

Why Not Us: Southern Dance – ESPN Plus

Reality – Social Issues 

The Hair Tales – Onyx Collective/OWN/Hulu 

Sports 

After Jackie – History Channel 

Variety/Talk Show 

PAUSE with Sam Jay – HBO Max 

Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal and Comcast are among the top companies for female employment, according to The WICT Network’s recent PAR workplace diversity study.

The 2022 Top Companies for Women to Work survey named five operators and five programming companies as places that feature strong gender diversity, as well as  equity and inclusion efforts based on pay equity and advancement opportunities and resources for work/life integration, according to The WICT Network. Other operators highlighted in the survey include Cable One, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Midco, while A+E Networks, AMC Networks, and Revolt were named on the programming side. 

“We congratulate this year’s PAR Top Companies for Women to Work for their exemplary DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] practices,” The WICT Network president and CEO Maria Brennan said. “The data tells the story: Despite the challenges our industry has faced over the last three years, companies have created environments where women are able to grow and thrive. We applaud the commitment of time and resources each of our participants dedicated to complete the 2022 survey.” 

The survey results follow increases in female employment across the industry revealed in the 2022 AIM/PAR Workplace Diversity Study, released last month in conjunction with The WICT Network Leadership Conference and the NAMIC Conference. The survey reported that female representation in the workforce increased by 5 percentage points compared to the last survey in 2019, even as women overall were significantly more impacted by the pandemic in terms of employment.

The survey also reported a decline in workforce representation among people of color. 

Brennan told Multichannel News she was pleasantly surprised by the gains women made in the workplace as part of the AIM/PAR survey. “Given the losses that women suffered during the pandemic, it was the opposite inside our industry,” she said. “I have great hopes for the next time we do the survey.” ■   

Workplace representation for women in the cable and communications industry has increased since 2019 while the representation of people of color fell in that period, according to a joint NAMIC and WICT diversity employment study released Tuesday.

The executive summary of the 2022 AIM/PAR Workplace Diversity Survey — unveiled at a Town Hall meeting in New York in conjunction with the WICT Leadership Conference and the NAMIC Conference — reflects the impact of the pandemic as well as social-justice movements in the country since the last survey was conducted in 2019, the organizations said. 

Also: Departing Kaitz Foundation Head Michelle Ray on Diversity Efforts: ‘There’s Always Going to Be More to Do’ (Q&A)

The 2022 survey — which generated participation from 18 organizations representing 69% of the industry workforce — reported that female representation in the workforce increased by 5 percentage points since the 2019 tally, even as women overall were significantly more impacted by the pandemic in terms of employment. Overall, women made up 51% of the workforce at programmer companies and 31% of the overall MSO workforce, according to the survey.

Women also comprised 47% of all new hires in participating media, entertainment and technology companies, up 1 percentage point from 2019. Women and women of color saw increases in professional, manager and executive/senior manager roles, according to the survey. People of color were promoted (14%) and transferred within (8%) the surveyed organizations at slightly higher rates than overall rates within the industry. 

“Despite the Great Resignation and she-cession, our industry has created environments where women are able to thrive, while also highlighting challenges to overcome,” WICT Network president and CEO Maria E. Brennan said. “As we continue to navigate new ways of working, we will use this data to help companies strengthen their practices to ensure that women remain on a trajectory to achieve parity with men.”

The industry employment and representation picture for people of color was not as positive. People of color experienced a 7 percentage point reduction in workforce representation, dropping to 37% from 44% since the 2019 survey. The biggest losses were employees at the junior level professional and manager ranks at cable MSOs, while people of color found employment gains among participating content companies, according to the survey. 

National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington told Multichannel News that she hopes the participating companies will learn from the results and find ways to attract and recruit people of color to their companies. 

“Once they look at their individual results, they will do an internal assessment of what happened, and whether there are things that they could be looking at more intentionally as it relates to people of color,” she said.

Washington added that the results of the survey are vitally important to the industry's ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. “The fact that this industry measures itself is critical — I don’t know any other industry that does that,” she said. “What gets measured gets done and we always need to be focused on that.” 

The AIM/PAR survey is administered by PwC and funded by the Walter Kaitz Foundation, which holds its annual fundraising dinner Wednesday night at the Marriott Marquis. ■  

The NAMIC Conference will return to New York’s Marriott Marquis Hotel and in-person status on October 11-12, and with it, the organization’s Annual Awards Luncheon set for October 12. And once again, the spotlight will fall on a new group of Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries. 

The Next Generation Leader Awards are NAMIC’s top industry honor, recognizing four individuals who have distinguished themselves as thought leaders, trendsetters and change agents, as well as for their work to advance multiethnic diversity in the industry by educating, advocating and empowering people and organizations.

This year’s Leaders honorees are:

• Kia Painter, Executive VP, Chief People Officer, Cox Communications
• Freddy Rolón, Senior VP, Programming and Scheduling, ESPN;
• Monica Williams, Senior VP, Digital Products & Operations, Content Distribution, NBCUniversal.
• James Hendricks, former Group VP of HR and Administration at Spectrum Reach, who will be honored posthumously.

The Luminary Awards honor up-and-coming leaders with the potential to be tomorrow’s movers and shakers. They demonstrate strong leadership skills and embrace NAMIC’s mission by working to advance multiethnic diversity.

The Luminaries to be honored by NAMIC are: 

• Denise Bennett, VP, Brand Strategy & Idea Lab, iHeartMedia;
• Rahman Khan, VP, Community Impact, Charter Communications;
• Noel Manzano, VP, International Programming and Development, AMC Networks;
• Grace Moss, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Programs, Warner Bros. Discovery;
• John Singleton, VP, Operations, Charter Communications;
• Tonya Walley, VP, Field Operations Strategy, Cox Communications;
• Chin Wang, VP, Visual Storytelling, Digital Media, ESPN;
• Sophia Zeinu, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Workforce, Warner Bros. Discovery.

This year, NAMIC is introducing a new honor, the Diversity in Technology Award, which will go to Franklyn Athias, senior VP of emerging technology and services at Comcast Cable (see profile below). Juju Chang, co-anchor of ABC’s Nightline, will receive the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award. 

The 36th annual NAMIC Conference, themed “Resilience: The Courage to Lead,” is part of the cable industry’s Diversity Week, set to feature in-person events for the first time since before the pandemic. For more information or to register, go to namic.com/annual-namic-conference. 

Next Generation Leaders

James Hendricks
Group VP, HR & Administration, Spectrum Reach
Charter Communications
December 8, 1972-September 18, 2022
(Presented posthumously)

James Hendricks was group VP, human resources & administration for Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales and production services division of Charter Communications. With more than 25 years of progressive HR leadership experience, James led a team of 85 people, supporting 3,000 employees in 182 locations. Hendricks was responsible for Spectrum Reach’s HR generalists, talent acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion, learning and development, facilities and in-house project-management organization. He previously held key HR leadership roles at ESPN and General Electric (NBC, Telemundo, MSNBC). 

Hendricks was a participating member of NAMIC, CTHRA/C2HR, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the National Black MBA Association. He also served on the board of directors for Safe Horizon as well as the board of directors for New Light Baptist Church. James earned his MBA and bachelor’s degrees in business management and psychology from Case Western Reserve Unviersity. He participated in the GE Human Resources Leadership Program and the International Scholar Program at the University of Seville in Spain.

“It’s my honor to receive this prestigious award and to be included with this group of accomplished fellow award recipients in the media industry,” Hendricks said. “I’m proud of the efforts that our Spectrum Reach team has made in advancing D&I since I joined, and I remain focused on continual improvement and accountability.”

Kia Painter
Executive VP, Chief People Officer
Cox Communications

Kia Painter is Cox’s incoming executive VP and chief people officer, responsible for leading the  cable operator’s HR and talent organization. Prior to this role, Painter was senior VP, HR business bartnerships. She has led the company’s key talent practices including compensation, inclusion and diversity, leadership development, organization design, and succession planning, and employee engagement.   

Painter joined Cox in 1998, after college, as a part-time HR assistant in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Over more than 24 years, she has risen through the company’s ranks and led HR in Cox regions and markets across the Southeast, notably in Virginia, Florida, and Louisiana.  In 2015, she moved to Atlanta to establish the company’s employee experience and organization design practices.  

She was named a 2021 Horizon Women to Watch by The WICT Network Southeast and was named a NAMIC Luminary in 2011, to the Multichannel News 40 Under 40 in 2014 and was on CableFax’s Diversity List in 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from James Madison University, a master’s degree in human and organizational development from The George Washington Unversity and an MBA from Tulane University.  

“I have had many career-changing experiences because of NAMIC’s impact on my life,” Painter said. “My time in NAMIC’s Mentoring Program, Leadership Seminar, and ELDP prepared me for today. To receive the Next Generation Leadership award from an organization that has enriched me so tremendously is the apex and quite extraordinary. Thank you NAMIC.”

Freddy Rolón
Senior VP, Programming and Scheduling
ESPN

Freddy Rolón was promoted into the role of senior VP, programming and scheduling at ESPN last September. He is responsible for leading the overall content strategy and schedule for ESPN’s linear networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNEWS. He also oversees all aspects of the ESPN Deportes business. 

Rolón has played an integral role in the development of the company’s content strategy to reach bilingual Hispanics consuming sports content across all of ESPN’s English-language platforms.  He works closely with ESPN’s programming, production, audio, digital and print media teams, to maximize the relevance and appeal of its English-language products to U.S. Hispanic fans.

Rolón serves as a member of The Walt Disney Co.’s CEO Diversity & Inclusion Council and is on the board of NAMIC and Partnership with Children.

“I thank NAMIC humbly for this award and for decades of vital leadership in our industry,” Rolón said. “I am grateful to be recognized by an organization I so deeply respect and for impactful work I feel immensely proud to be a part of at ESPN and The Walt Disney Co.”

Monica Williams
Senior VP, Digital Products & Operations, Content Distribution GroupNBCUniversal

Monica Williams’s current role at NBCUniversal encompasses content fulfillment of on-demand and linear channels, as well as developing innovative experiences through product and data solutions. Following consumer attention, Williams and her team apply a human-centered design approach and developed a metadata optimization initiative that drives efficient content discovery to meet business needs. 

Williams is a founding member and leader of “Asian Pacific Americans@NBCUniversal,” She is also a founding member of Chief in Los Angeles, serves on the advisory board for StreamTV, the global advisory board for NBCU TechWomen and is on the board of directors for Youth Design Center.

She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of science in industrial operations engineering and earned an MBA from Claremont Graduate University’s Peter Drucker School of Management. She isa graduate of Harvard Business School’s Cable Executive Management Program.

“I am honored to accept NAMIC’s Next Generation Leaders Award alongside such deserving peers,” Williams said. “Recognition like this inspires me to continue to bring an all-important diversity lens to everything we do and leverage diversity as a business imperative in the industry. Thank you to NAMIC for helping us create cultures of belonging in our industries and workplaces.”

Luminaries

Denise Bennett
VP, Brand Strategy
iHeart Media

As VP of brand strategy at iHeart Media, Denise Bennet specializes in multicultural marketing partnerships. Her 20-year career has included roles at WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal, the NBA, TV One and Viacom. 

She has held various leadership roles with NAMIC New York, including two terms as chapter president, and in 2019 completed the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. She also serves as a professor at both the Fordham University Gabelli School of Business and New York University. 

Her many accolades include The Network Journal's 2019 40 Under 40 Achievement Award; 2020 Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) Technology Catalyst; 2021 Advertising Club of New York Rock Star Award; and Black Women in Media Trailblazer Honoree.

Bennett has a bachelor of science in music business from Indiana State University and an MBA in marketing and media & communications from Fordham University.  

Away from the office, she is a classically trained pianist, an avid world traveler and a proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

“I owe so much of my fundamental career development to NAMIC,” Bennett said. “NAMIC provided me with access to relationships and leadership opportunities that I value and evangelize daily. It’s from NAMIC that I learned my most valuable mantra of ‘build your bridge before you need it.’ ”

Rahman Khan
VP, Community Impact
Charter Communications

Rahman Khan leads strategic philanthropic and employee engagement programs for Charter under the Spectrum brand. As VP, community impact, he develops and executes the company’s mission to improve communities. He led the 2021 launch of Charter’s largest-ever philanthropic program, Spectrum Community Center Assist, a $30 million, five-year effort to revitalize local community centers and invest in job training. 

Khan also led the development of Spectrum Digital Education, a grant program that helps seniors and families understand the benefits of broadband and how to use it to improve their lives. To date, this program has committed more than $8 million to local community organizations. The work of his Community Impact team for Charter has been recognized by the state of Connecticut and the Los Angeles City Council, among other distinctions.

Khan received his business and graduate education degrees from Florida A&M University. He is a graduate of NAMIC’s Executive Leadership Development Program.
“It is a great honor to be recognized as a Luminary by NAMIC, an organization I’ve long supported,” he said, “NAMIC’s efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in our industry, paired with the actions we take as individuals, make us all stronger.”

Noel Manzano
Head, International Programming
AMC Networks

Noel Manzano is head of international programming at AMC Networks, working across AMC, AMC Plus, SundanceNow and BBC America. He identifies and develops original content with creative talent around the world, and works within the AMC Networks Entertainment Group to move existing projects forward. Notable projects include epic crime saga Gangs of London, from Gareth Evans, and 61st Street from visionary creator Peter Moffat. 

Prior to AMC, Manzano was the director of development for Hoodlum Entertainment, where he ran the company’s U.S. content development slate and strategy and drove internationally produced projects. He started his career at WME in feature films and then moved into television at Sierra/Affinity and Dynamic Television. Manzano is a graduate of New York University.

“It’s an honor to be recognized amongst so many outstanding executives by NAMIC — an organization I’m proud to be a part of,” Manzano said. “An honor like this inspires me to do more of what I can to champion and lift up the voices of my colleagues from all communities. Thank you.”

Grace Moss
VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Warner Bros. Discovery

As VP of diversity, equity and inclusion, Grace Moss helps oversee Warner Bros. Discovery’s efforts to expand the pool of historically-excluded talent and to break down barriers through a comprehensive suite of pipeline programs and extensive engagements with prestigious film festivals and creative conferences.

Prior to WBD, Moss was the head of talent development and inclusion for NBC Entertainment, where she spearheaded multiple programs that focused on cultivating and showcasing talented writers and directors of diverse backgrounds. Before NBC, she was a development executive at the Style Network, and prior to that a freelance reality producer and director.  

Moss’s leadership training includes the Johnson & Johnson Corporate Athlete Training Program, Comcast’s Know Your Value initiative and Harvard Business School’s Leadership Consortium. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor of arts in English, minoring in Asian-American Studies.  

“Back in 2011, I was a newly promoted manager and experienced my very first leadership seminar through NAMIC,” Moss recalled. “I was well-equipped with important, foundational knowledge that I have implemented along my professional journey over the past decade. To now be honored with this Luminary Award is truly a full-circle moment.”

John Singleton Jr.
VP, Network Operations
Charter Communications

John Singleton is VP of network operations at Charter Communications, responsible for solution acceptance, product improvement, troubleshooting and vendor analysis across the video infrastructure. These primary functions require close coordination with Charter’s Product and Engineering organizations to ensure optimal deployment and operation of all products.

His current focus is on centralizing and consolidating distributed architectures to enhance reliability and availability across Charter’s footprint, while ensuring the landscape remains competitive and up-to-date.  

Previously, Singleton served in various capacities across Charter’s Network Operations team at Charter and assisted in post-acquisition activities involving Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.

Before joining Charter, he worked at Cox Communications, where he was responsible for video operations, strategy and product development.  

With more than 20 years of telecommunications experience, Singleton enjoys mentoring engineers and leaders on their paths to successfully achieve their career goals.

“Being a NAMIC Luminary award recipient serves as not only a personal achievement but an accomplishment on behalf of all diverse talent within our industry,” he said. “This opportunity is only possible due to the individuals who have come before me, dedicating their careers to ensuring professional development is possible for all.

Tonya Walley
VP, Field Operations Strategy
Cox Communications

Tonya Walley leads Cox’s field operations in 21 states, including residential and business customer installations, maintenance of 116,000 miles of network and the company’s continued focus on customer excellence. She began her cable industry career more than 25 years ago as a front-line field technician then progressed to various leadership roles. When she joined Cox in 2018 as VP of field operations in Virginia, Walley immediately focused on delivering a data-based approach to the customer and employee experience, all while paying it forward. 

A native of New Jersey, Walley completed her undergraduate degree at Saint Peter’s College, majoring in computer science. She also holds dual master’s degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology in telecommunications management and network engineering. She is passionate about continuous learning and has demonstrated that through her most recent Strategy and Execution certificate from Harvard Business School and completion of NAMIC’s Executive Development Leadership Program. 

“I am thrilled and honored to receive this recognition from NAMIC and will continue to live and breathe the values of NAMIC by mentoring, giving back and paying it forward,” Walley said. “I am truly humbled and will continue to inspire, encourage, and engage our future leaders with impact.”

Chin Wang
VP, Visual Storytelling
ESPN

Chin Wang was promoted to VP, visual storytelling in ESPN’s creative studio department in September 2021. Wang, who joined the sports programmer in 2012 as senior art director of ESPN The Magazine, had worked for 11 months as senior director, visual storytelling.  

Wang leads a team of visual journalists, photo editors, web developers, designers, concept artists and animators whose work reaches every ESPN platform. She is responsible for editorial design and photography on the ESPN website and app, including custom microsites, special projects, branding, key art, illustration and data visualization. She also manages the team that concepts, designs and directs television graphics packages from studio shows to live events across all networks, as well as ESPN Plus and 30 for 30 Films & Originals. In addition, she defines the visual identity for Andscape (formerly The Undefeated).  

“As someone who strives to embody the mission of NAMIC, I am beyond honored to be recognized as a Luminary,” Wang said. “Advocating for diversity in our industry is more imperative now than ever and to play a part in that effort at ESPN truly adds meaning to my work.”

Sophia Zeinu
VP, Equity & Inclusion Strategies
Warner Bros. Discovery

Sophia Zeinu, VP of equity & inclusion strategies for Warner Bros. Discovery, uses a data-driven, systems-based approach to develop and operationalize global diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. She focuses on redesigning talent and organizational systems with an equity lens, building leadership and employee DEI capabilities, fostering a more inclusive culture and enabling measurement and accountability at the enterprise and business-unit level.

Prior to WBD, Zeinu worked in Deloitte Consulting’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practice where she helped numerous global organizations navigate DEI transformations and facilitated DEI sessions for thousands of employees at Fortune 500 organizations. She has also authored and contributed to DEI thoughtware, including Support Your Black Workforce, Now; 10 Ways HR Can Support the Black Workforce; and Becoming an Equitable Enterprise. 

Zeinu has a bachelor of arts in sociology from Georgetown University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. 

“I feel deeply honored and grateful to be recognized by NAMIC amongst so many incredible leaders,” she said. “NAMIC has a long history of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and I am committed to continuing to champion the work to make a lasting impact on our industry and beyond.”

Diversity in Technology Award

Franklyn Athias
Senior VP, Emerging Technology and Services
Comcast Cable

Franklyn Athias leads the convergence of Comcast’s mobile product with its broadband connectivity services. He drives the roadmap for delivering new converged connectivity services as well as the growth strategy for related platforms and features for both mobile and broadband.

Since joining Comcast in 1995, Athias has been responsible for developing and deploying strategic growth opportunities to launch services for TV, internet, digital voice and wireless, most recently leading the integration of Xfinity Mobile into Comcast’s next-generation product portfolio.

During his 27-year career with Comcast, Athias has spearheaded several IP architecture programs for cable-modem broadband services. Notable accomplishments include serving as lead architect for the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice strategy, for Comcast’s first residential and business broadband launches and for the Comcast.net internet service, as well as leading the evaluation of the industry’s first VoIP service using cable modems.

Athias is an executive sponsor of the BENgineers, technologists and engineers who are part of Comcast’s Black Employee Network (BEN). He actively participates in many standards-making and professional advocacy organizations in the technology and engineering industries, including SCTE, NAMIC, NSBE, NSPE, and IEEE, and founded computer-coding programs in his local community to develop STEM/STEAM skills among minority youth.

Athias holds more than two dozen U.S. patents and received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

“I’m honored and grateful to be nominated by my peers and to be selected by NAMIC for this inaugural award,” Athias said. “Diversity in technology and a mission for change have always been a passion of mine and I’m inspired by the progress that is being made to strengthen inclusive opportunities in our industry.” ■

NAMIC has named its Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries to be honored at its upcoming national conference in New York City. 

The Next Generation Leaders include James Hendricks, Group Vice President, HR and Administration, at Spectrum Reach, who died on September 18 in an accidental drowning in New Jersey. The diversity organization is planning to memorialize Hendricks at the conference, which takes place October 11-12 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The other Next Generation Leaders are: Kia Painter, Executive VP, Chief People Officer, Cox Communications; Freddy Rolón, Senior VP, Programming and Scheduling, ESPN; and Monica Williams, Senior VP, Digital Products & Operations, Content Distribution, NBCUniversal.

Also read: NAMIC’s 2021 Award Recipients Shine a Diverse Light on the Industry 

The Next Generation Leader Awards receive NAMIC’s top industry honor, recognizing four individuals who have distinguished themselves as thought leaders, trendsetters and change agents, and have actively worked to advance multiethnic diversity in the industry by educating, advocating and empowering people and organizations. Multichannel News partners with NAMIC in annually saluting these individuals who are making a difference in the media industry.

The Luminaries to be honored by NAMIC are: Denise Bennett, VP, Brand Strategy & Idea Lab, iHeartMedia; Denise Bennett, VP, Brand Strategy & Idea Lab, iHeartMedia; Noel Manzano, VP, International Programming and Development, AMC Networks; Grace Moss, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Programs, Warner Bros. Discovery; John Singleton, VP, Operations, Charter Communications; Tonya Walley, VP, Field Operations Strategy, Cox Communications; Chin Wang, VP, Visual Storytelling, Digital Media, ESPN, and Sophia Zeinu, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Workforce, Warner Bros. Discovery.

The organization also will soon announce recipients of its Diversity In Technology Award and its Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award. (Update: NAMIC has named Nightline co-anchor JuJu Chang to receive the Mickey Leland Award.)

NAMIC’s 36th annual conference takes place during the cable industry’s Diversity Week, which will feature in-person events for the first time since before the pandemic. NAMIC and The WICT Network will once again team to deliver the latest AIM/PAR Workplace Survey, focusing on the current state of ethnic and gender diversity within the media and entertainment industry. ■

James Hendricks, 49, a human-resources executive at Charter Communications's ad-sales and production services unit, drowned accidentally off Long Branch, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 18, according to news reports that were confirmed by the company. 

Hendricks, group vice president for human relations and administration at Charter-owned Spectrum Reach, previously held HR leadership positions at ESPN and for NBCUniversal's NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo, according to NAMIC, which plans to honor him posthumously at the organization's annual conference and awards ceremony in October. He had been chosen as a Next Generation Leader by NAMIC.

"We are saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague and friend, James Hendricks," Charter said in a statement. "While only with Spectrum Reach for a few short years, James had a tremendous impact at the company and his enthusiasm and team spirit will be sorely missed. We send our condolences to his family at this very difficult time."

According to news reports, Hendricks was swimming with a friend he was visiting Long Branch with when both began to struggle shortly after 6:20 p.m. on Sunday. The companion was rescued but lifeguards could not locate Hendricks, the Asbury Park Press reported. Hendricks's body was discovered at 9:21 p.m., the Press said. The rescued swimmer was taken to Monmouth Medical Center in the city and treated and released, according to the report. A third swimmer who struggled that day also was rescued by Long Branch personnel, NJ.com reported. 

Hendricks lived in New York state, reports said, but more information was not provided. Charter declined to comment beyond the statement.

According to a NAMIC profile provided to Next TV, Hendricks had more than 25 years of progressive HR leadership experience and in his position at Spectrum Reach he oversaw a team of 85 people, supporting 3,000 employees in 182 locations. He had responsibility for Spectrum Reach’s HR Generalists, Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion, Learning & Development, Facilities and in-house PMO. He started at Spectrum Reach in 2020, his LinkedIn profile stated. He previously held key HR leadership roles at ESPN and GE (NBC, Telemundo, MSNBC).  

He was a participating member of NAMIC, CTHRA/C2HR, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the National Black MBA Association. He also served on the board of directors for Safe Horizon as well as the board of directors for New Light Baptist Church, which is located in Harlem in New York City. The church's website posted a tribute to Deacon Hendricks from Senior Pastor Bobby Lewis. "We are definitely going to honor our brother with a celebration of life. We will let everybody know that information," Pastor Lewis stated. 

Hendricks earned his MBA from Case Western Reserve University, as well a BS in Business Management and BA in Psychology from Case Western, NAMIC said. He was a participant in the GE Human Resources Leadership Program, and the International Scholar Program at the University of Seville in Spain. He held an SPHR certification, and was Six Sigma Certified.

Next TV will provide more information as it becomes available. ■

HBO/HBO Max once again earned top honors for NAMIC Vision Awards, leading all distributors in total awards wins.

HBO/HBO Max led the industry for the sixth straight year by winning five NAMIC Vision Awards, which celebrates original, multiplatform television programming that reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the viewing audience. ESPN was the only other distributor earning multiple award wins with two. 

HBO’s Insecure was a repeat winner in the best comedy category, while Showtime's The Chi topped all competitors for the best drama award. Lifetime’s biopic on the life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia – was the top choice in the Original Movie or Special category. 

“As our industry’s consumer base becomes increasingly diverse, culturally relevant content is central to our industry’s sustainability,” said NAMIC president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington in a statement. “The NAMIC Vision Awards importantly shines a light on programming that sets bold, new standards for inclusion by  reflecting the myriad culture, stories, and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds and walks  of life.”  

The 2022 Vision Awards winners were announced April 27 at the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s Hollywood Creative Forum event in Los Angeles. The complete list of NAMIC Vision Awards winners appears below: 

Animation

Molly of Denali – GBH Kids | PBS KIDS

Best Performance – Comedy

Tracy Morgan: The Last O.G. – TBS 

Best Performance – Drama 

Zendaya: Euphoria – HBO/HBO Max

Children’s

See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special – Sesame Workshop

Comedy

Insecure – HBO/HBO Max

Digital Media – Long Form

Equality, Identity & Hope: The Asian American Experience – Comcast

Digital Media – Short Form

Voices of the Civil Rights Movement – Elaine Brown: Creating the Conditions for Revolutionary Change – Comcast NBCUniversal

Documentary

Homeroom – Hulu

Drama

The Chi – Showtime

Foreign Language

Somos Afro-Latinos – ESPN

Lifestyle

Luda Can’t Cook – Discovery+

News/Informational

VICE News’s Black Lives Matter: A Global Reckoning – VICE News

Original Movie or Special

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia – Lifetime 

Reality

We’re Here – HBO/HBO Max

Reality – Social Issues

Darren Waller: Gratitude – ESPN 

Sports

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel – HBO/HBO Max

Variety/Talk Show

PAUSE with Sam Jay – HBO/HBO Max

The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications is celebrating its 2021 class of Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries, a group of industry executives who’ve made indelible marks within their companies and in the industry at large.
The group of 12 honorees was recognized Oct. 6 at NAMIC’s virtual Annual Awards Ceremony, part of the industry’s annual Diversity Week events. 

The Next Generation Leader Awards are NAMIC’s top industry honor, recognizing four individuals who have distinguished themselves as thought leaders, trendsetters and change agents, and have actively worked to advance multi-ethnic diversity in the industry by educating, advocating and empowering people and organizations. Multichannel News partners with NAMIC in annually saluting these individuals who are making a difference in the media industry.

This year’s Next Generation Leaders are:

• Rhonda Crichlow, senior VP, chief diversity officer, Charter Communications;

• Rob King, senior VP and editor at large, ESPN Content;

• Joiava Philpott, senior VP, law and policy, Cox Communications;

• Jessica Prois, editorial director, NBC Asian America, NBC News Digital.

The Luminary Awards honor up-and-coming leaders with the potential to be tomorrow’s movers and shakers. They demonstrate strong leadership skills and embrace NAMIC’s mission by working to advance multiethnic diversity.

This year’s Luminaries are:

• Rosetta Ellis-Pilie, VP, talent development and negotiations, ESPN;

• Gregg Fujimoto, senior VP, field operations, Charter Communications;

• Karen Horne, senior VP, equity and inclusion programs, WarnerMedia;

• Raina Kelley, VP and editor-in-chief, The Undefeated, ESPN;

• Nikki Love, VP, development and production, ALLBLK, AMC Networks;

• Samata Narra, senior VP, equity and inclusion, content, WarnerMedia;

• Manoj Shamdasani, VP, programming and brand partnerships for News 12 Networks, Altice USA;

• MyKhanh Shelton, senior VP, equity and inclusion, workforce, WarnerMedia.

For more on this year’s honorees, read the profiles below. 

Next Generation Leaders

Rhonda Nesmith Crichlow
Senior VP and Chief Diversity Officer, Charter Communications 

As a member of Charter’s executive leadership team, Rhonda Crichlow develops and manages the Stamford, Connecticut-based MSO’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy, including its D&I Center of Excellence. In 2019, her portfolio was expanded to include leadership of Charter Community Impact, which encompasses the company’s strategic philanthropic investments and volunteer initiatives involving more than 95,000 employees. 

Prior to joining Charter, she worked at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where she was VP and head, U.S. Diversity & Inclusion, president of the Novartis U.S. Foundation and a member of the Innovative Medicines Executive Committee. She joined Novartis in 2006 as executive director, philanthropic and community development. Under her leadership, Novartis was recognized by DiversityInc as a leading company for D&I in 2014 and 2015. 

An attorney who practiced law in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., earlier in her career, she was involved in several landmark class-action racial discrimination lawsuits brought by African-American farmers and also worked as a corporate tax attorney. She served as a clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter. She holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, a master’s of public policy from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Virginia.   

“I am honored to receive this recognition from NAMIC, and I will work earnestly to continue opening doors and empowering emerging leaders in our industry,” Crichlow said. 

Rob King
Senior VP and Editor-At-Large, ESPN Content

Rob King is responsible for ESPN’s overall journalistic direction, working closely with leaders across ESPN Films, original content, digital content, social media, multiplatform journalism and storytelling and global content. Named to his current post in March 2020, he advises ESPN’s senior leadership team on editorial issues and leads ESPN’s Inclusive Content Committee, tasked with serving as a diverse resource for the company’s content creators. 

King joined ESPN in 2004, previously serving as senior VP, original content, focusing on longform storytelling and enterprise journalism. His content portfolio included ESPN Films, the “30 for 30” series and ESPN Plus original series; domestic and international longform journalism, including ESPN the Magazine, The Undefeated, espnW, E: 60 and features; and ESPN’s investigative journalism unit and newsmagazine series Outside the Lines. He also served as senior VP, SportsCenter and news, and oversaw all global and digital content from 2007 to 2014. 

Originally a newspaper journalist, King worked at The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and the Commercial-News in Danville, Illinois. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the inaugural class of Penn State University’s School of Communications. He is a past Pulitzer Prize judge; a member of the AP board of directors; the National Sports Journalism Center’s advisory board; the Poynter Institute’s National Advisory Board, where he is chair; and the board of the Center for Investigative Reporting. 

“NAMIC’s mission to empower BIPOC leaders has enriched not only our industry, but also our society,” King said. “So I am breathlessly honored to count myself among those who have been recognized by NAMIC for our commitment to our colleagues and to this incalculably essential work.”

Joiava Philpott
Senior VP, General Counsel, Cox Communications

Joiava Philpott joined Atlanta-based cable operator Cox as senior VP and general counsel after serving as general counsel at Astro Turf LLC, a prior stint at Cox as VP, government affairs and after working as assistant general counsel at KMC Telecom. Philpott began her career in the city of Atlanta’s Law Department as a telecommunications and cable law adviser. 

She has served in a variety of leadership and board roles on such nonprofits as the American Corporate Counsel Association, NAMIC, the Federal Communications Bar Association and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential. Philpott has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine, Diversity & the Bar magazine and Cablefax. 

She holds a law degree and an MBA from American University and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Hamptons University. She completed executive development programs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, the WICT Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

“Promoting diversity and inclusion is part of my DNA as a leader and is a top business priority,” Philpott said. “It has become ingrained into my leadership ethos. To be recognized for something as meaningful to me as my primary expertise as a business and legal executive is truly humbling.”

Jessica Prois
Editorial Director, NBC Asian America, NBC News Digital

Under the direction of Jessica Prois, NBC Asian America has become the fastest-growing vertical on NBCNews.com. Prior to joining NBC News, she launched HuffPost Asian Voices and served as the section’s executive editor. 

Prois’s work has appeared in such outlets as New York magazine, National Public Radio, Elle and more. She was the recipient of a S.I. Newhouse journalism fellowship and a Johns Hopkins/Gates Foundation fellowship.

“I'm honored to receive an NAMIC Next Generation Leader award,” Prois said. “I feel so lucky to have the privilege of telling the wonderfully diverse stories of our community, and my commitment is and always will be to our readers at NBC Asian America.”

Luminaries

Rosetta Ellis-Pilie
VP, Talent Development & Negotiations, ESPN

Rosetta Ellis-Pilie leads the day-to-day efforts of ESPN’s Talent Office, responsible for hiring, developing and guiding the programmer’s commentator team, negotiating contracts and collaborating with ESPN departments and external contacts on any matters related to commentator roles and responsibilities. 

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, Ellis-Pilie graduated from Seton Hall University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in business administration. The New Jersey native earned her juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is also a graduate of the NAMIC Executive Leadership Program Class XIV.

“As a graduate of NAMIC’s Executive Leadership Program, I have a deep appreciation for the values this organization champions,” Ellis-Pilie said. “I am honored to be recognized and will continue the endeavor to advance NAMIC’s goals as our ESPN team develops, advocates for and empowers a diverse group of on-air talent.”  

Gregg Fujimoto
Senior VP, Field Operations, Charter Communications

Gregg Fujimoto is tasked with providing strategic and tactical leadership and oversight for Charter’s Hawaii franchise. His mission is to build on and enhance the goal of providing Spectrum customers with best-in-class service. 

A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, he began his cable career at Time Warner Cable, where he was senior VP, brand strategy and marketing communications for residential services, and led the MSO’s rapidly growing digital sales channel. 

Fujimoto, who comes from a fourth-generation Hawaiian family, continues to build new relationships and give back to the local community. He is a member of the American Red Cross board, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council, the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Broadband Assistance Advisory Council and Cable Advisory Committee, and a board member for the REACH after school initiative. 

“I am honored to represent Charter in receiving NAMIC’s recognition,” Fujimoto said. “NAMIC’s mission to educate, advocate and empower multiethnic diversity mirrors my personal and professional ambitions. I am proud to support and enhance NAMIC’s ambitions today and into the future.”

Karen Horne
Senior VP, Equity and Inclusion Programs, WarnerMedia

Karen Horne is a senior executive with 20 years of entertainment industry experience who has been recognized as a diversity and inclusion pioneer and pipeline-builder.

She joined WarnerMedia in 2020 after serving as senior VP, programming, talent development and inclusion at NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios, where she was responsible for overseeing primetime diversity efforts both in front of and behind the camera for NBC and Universal Television.  

She also served as director, creative affairs at IDT Animation and designed, implemented and oversaw Nickelodeon’s Writer Fellowship Program. Horne also was a director of writer development and special projects and studio liaison for the Walt Disney Studios Fellowship Program at Walt Disney Network Television. She served as director, West Coast, for the Black Filmmaker Foundation in Los Angeles. 

Horne also worked at HBO in Los Angeles as a co-producer for the Emmy Award-winning animated series Spawn. She worked as executive assistant to the president of ABC Entertainment and held positions at the network and at ABC Sports. She serves on the boards of Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media; USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative; and The Alliance of Women Directors. 

“Since its inception, NAMIC has been a true champion for the communication industry’s multiethnic community,” Horne said. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by an organization whose mission to educate, advocate and empower is so aligned with the work my team and I do at WarnerMedia.”

Nikki Love
VP of Development and Original Production, ALLBLK, AMC Networks

Nikki Love oversees the expanding slate of scripted originals for streaming service ALLBLK (formerly Urban Movie Channel). Since signing on in January of 2019, she has executive produced such highly ranked shows as A House Divided, Double Cross and Behind Her Faith. 

Love serves as a liaison between the streaming service for Black TV and film and its content creators throughout script development, production and postproduction. She is the on-set executive for all original series, supervising such hits as Craig Ross Jr.’s Monogamy; Stuck With You; Terror Lake Drive; For the Love of Jason; A Closer Look and Millennials.

Before joining ALLBLK, Love was a producer of feature films, short films, web series and music videos. Notable projects included indie film The Last Fall, directed by Oscar winner Matthew Cherry; 2018 Sundance Film Festival entry A Boy. A Girl. A Dream; multiple films for BET and the “Chloe x Halle: Warrior” music video for the soundtrack to A Wrinkle in Time. 

She founded JNL Media, where she produced films for more than 10 years, and founded the industry networking organization REEL Ladies.

“I feel truly humbled and blessed to receive this year’s award and to be included in such a powerful group of my peers,” Love said. “I am not only honored to continue the mission of NAMIC but motivated to carry the torch and make an impact in our industry. Thank you!”

Raina Kelley
VP and Editor-in-Chief, The Undefeated, ESPN

Since May 2021, Raina Kelley has set the editorial direction, policies, oversight and strategy for The Undefeated, ESPN’s multiplatform content initiative exploring the intersection of sports, race and culture. She succeeded launch editor Kevin Merida after serving as managing editor for five years. 

As managing editor, Kelley steered The Undefeated’s content expansion efforts across Disney, including the “Music for the Movement” series with Hollywood Records, The Undefeated Presents: Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter on Disney Plus and other partnerships. She leads ESPN’s Black History Always initiative, which highlights the contributions of African-Americans through long- and short-form storytelling across media platforms beyond Black History Month. Her work earned The Undefeated awards from the AP Sports Editors and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Salute to Excellence, among others. 

Kelley joined ESPN in 2011 as a senior editor at ESPN the Magazine, rising to deputy editor. She also worked at Newsweek/The Daily Beast from 2003 to 2011, where she wrote a column on American culture, race, gender and politics. There, she won the 2010 Newswomen’s Club of New York Front Page Award for a package titled “The Beauty Advantage.” She graduated from Yale University in 1992. 

“I sincerely thank NAMIC for inducting me into this year’s Luminaries class,” Kelley said. “The NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program already gave me so much, including clarity and precision of my mission and goals in a safe and exhilarating environment. I am honored and grateful for this award and will continue to make diversity and inclusion the foundation of everything we do at The Undefeated and ESPN.”

Samata Narra
VP of Enterprise Inclusion, Content Strategy, WarnerMedia 

Samata Narra is responsible for building innovative tools and global systems across WarnerMedia to facilitate the advancement of diversity in its storytelling. She recently joined the company from Fox, where she was senior VP of comedy development and current programming. 

At Fox, Narra developed and oversaw live action and animated comedy series, including The Last Man on Earth, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl, Bob’s Burgers and The Mindy Project.   

She also spent a part of her career in representation at Fineman Entertainment and The William Morris Agency. While at Fineman, she developed the series Lights Out for FX and produced the Emmy-nominated romantic comedy documentary Meet the Patels.  

She is on the board of Film2Future, a nonprofit providing equitable access to the entertainment industry for underrepresented Los Angeles youth, as well as Colour Entertainment and South Asian Women in Entertainment (SAWIE). 

A native of Pikeville, Kentucky, Narra earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from the Boston University School of Management. 

“I feel incredibly honored to be recognized by NAMIC, an organization with such a longstanding commitment to building the next generation of leaders,” she said. “I am looking forward to continuing the tradition as a leader at WarnerMedia.”

Manoj Shamdasani
VP, Programming and Brand Partnerships, News 12 Networks

Manoj Shamdasani guides the editorial coverage for news programming and specials across all seven of Altice USA’s News 12 channels, which operate in the cable company’s New York City-area Optimum territories. He also works with ad sales on sponsorship opportunities. 

Shamdasani joined News 12 The Bronx and News 12 Brooklyn in 2013 as assistant news director before being promoted to news director. He has also worked in Pennsylvania and Singapore in local and international news. He grew up in Hong Kong, where his dad made sure both Manoj and his sister watched World News Tonight with Peter Jennings every evening, followed by the local news and weather. He not only preaches about diversity and inclusion in the newsroom but encourages others to find their voice and be heard.

“Diversity in the newsroom is paramount to the success of a news organization so they can best reflect the people, ideas and values of the communities that they serve,” Shamdasani said. “It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader in the field and an industry Luminary by NAMIC.” 

MyKhanh Shelton
Senior VP, Enterprise Inclusion, WarnerMedia

MyKhanh Shelton is responsible for leading WarnerMedia’s workforce and production safety initiatives and for working closely with the human resources team and business units to create consistent measurements, practices and systems to increase the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented groups. 

In a previous role as senior VP, global inclusion at 21st Century Fox, she led the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and worked closely with business leaders to design initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion across its film, television, sports, news and digital portfolio. A central focus of the Global Inclusion Team’s work was spearheading internal programs and external partnerships to increase diverse stories, portrayals, and representation in the entertainment industry, including the Fox Filmmakers Lab, the Fox Writers Lab, the Television Directors Lab, the Fox DP Lab (focused on female directors of photography) and the Fox Creative Lab: Taiwan. Shelton also led the development of a global strategy and roadmap for the creation of Colleague Network and Resource Groups, which led to the successful launch of Fox Noir, APEX, Hola, Women@Fox, Fox Vets and Pride.   

A graduate of UCLA and the University of California at Berkeley Law School, she began her law career at a firm before joining Fox as counsel, advancing to senior VP, Fox Group Legal. She is an international and Los Angeles board member of the nonprofit group Facing History and Ourselves. 

“It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that is so highly respected and impactful as NAMIC is and has been for so many decades,” Shelton said. “I am grateful to NAMIC for this recognition and even more so for their unwavering commitment to diversity in the communications industry.”

NAMIC will look to shine a light on the advancement of the cable industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts during its virtual 35th annual NAMIC Conference, which launches Tuesday (Oct. 5) as part of the industry's Diversity Week festivities.

The theme of the three-day conference is “Removing Obstacles. Magnifying Opportunities” and will feature a lineup of industry leaders and experts discussing the pressing DEI issues facing the communications and cable industry, according to NAMIC.

The conference will open Tuesday with its L. Patrick Mellon Mentoring session featuring a discussion with Music World Entertainment president Mathew Knowles. Other conference highlights include NAMIC’s annual Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries Awards; the “Meet the Execs” panel session featuring Walt Disney Company VP, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution Christian Divino, Kishshana & CEO CEO Kishshana Palmer, and Arrington Coaching LLC COO David Arrington; and the” Setting the Course of International Allyship” panel featuring WarnerMedia SVP, Equity and Inclusion MyKhanh Shelton and A+E Networks EVP, Corporate Brand Strategy and Chief of Staff Juliana Stock.   

NAMIC president and CEO Shuanise Washington spoke to Multichannel News about this year’s virtual NAMIC Conference goals and objectives and provided an early look at plans for the diversity organization’s in-person NAMIC Conference in 2022. An edited version of the interview appears below. 

MCN: What are your goals for this year’s NAMIC Conference? 

Shuanise Washington: Our 35th annual conference will provide a global platform for emerging and thought leaders to discuss topics ranging from culturally competent marketing to racial equity. Attendees will engage in professional networking sessions, delve into best practices with industry leaders, and learn the emerging industry trends that will shift the future of cable and communications. 

MCN: Has going to a virtual format for a second straight year helped or hurt attendance sign-ups? 

SW: Our registration numbers have already exceeded last year and people are still registering. A virtual format has expanded our ability to reach more people and in turn allowed more people to be a part of our conference. We are thrilled that the cable, media and entertainment  industry continue to rely on NAMIC and our annual conference for tools, strategies and professional connections to empower diversity, equity and inclusion in their companies. 

MCN: Has the virtual format made it easier to secure key speakers? 

SW: In some ways, it has. We have been able to expand the breadth and depth of our speaker pool because we do not have to contend with travel and a fixed timeframe, so to speak, as many of the sessions are pre-recorded. I am really excited about so many of our sessions and speakers this year, like the L. Patrick Mellon session on mentoring with Dr. Mathew Knowles. Dr. Knowles and Julissa Bermudez, television personality and actress at CLEO TV, will engage in a lively discussion about the importance of mentoring in establishing a successful career and legacy.  They will tackle issues many underrepresented employees feel might have already existed within their companies—even before the COVID pandemic: isolation, lack of support, barriers to access, and so on. 

MCN: Will you continue to feature virtual elements at next year's conference when it's back to in-person status? 

SW: Yes. The virtual format has been quite successful in expanding our reach and in making the conference more accessible. Accessibility is central to our mission. We are exploring ways to enhance the virtual experience so that we can draw attendees from every state in the nation—and from people committed to DEI work in the media, entertainment and cable industry around the world. 

The Oct. 4 WICT Leadership Conference kicks off the cable industry’s Diversity Week festivities, which for the second straight year will be held virtually and also includes the NAMIC Conference (Oct. 5-8) and The Walter Kaitz Foundation fundraising event (Oct. 6). 

The two-day WICT Conference, with its theme of “Together We Shine, Together We Thrive,” will feature several sessions and keynote speakers that will look to empower its members as well as conference attendees to thrive in a challenging business environment. WICT President and CEO Maria Brennan spoke to Multichannel News regarding the organization’s outlook for this year’s conference. An edited version of the interview appears below.

Multichannel News: Are you satisfied with the attendance numbers heading into the virtual conference?

Maria Brennan: I'm more than satisfied. I said that I would be happy if we got more than 800 [attendees] by conference time and we are at 799 so I’m pretty confident we’ll get there. Last year as you may recall we set a record for attendance of about 840 -- it would be nice to get there, but I've been very, very pleased. I think it’s a really good indication that even though we may have some virtual learning fatigue, there's still always time to make the time for the Leadership Conference and Diversity Week. I think it’s a good sign that people still have it in them to participate in the work we do to bring Diversity Week to the masses, along with NAMIC and the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

MCN: You mentioned record attendance for last year’s conference. Has the industry been able to maintain the momentum for WICT's diversity and equality efforts from last year?

MB: Absolutely, and we're now at a very critical inflection point: women in terms of the workforce lost a lot of ground in a year and a half. In fact, the Women's Economic Forum has the last year and a half or two years setting back women in the workforce a good three decades behind what it was before the pandemic. That’s the bad news, but here's the good news:  we can also recover exponentially quicker with a bit of a course correction. That's why events like this are so important. We're certainly teaching and talking about the business of the business, but we're also teaching and instilling really good practices when it comes to recruiting, retaining and advancing women and people of color. The global pandemic hurt women in the workforce, but it can also help us get to parody quicker if we take these issues seriously and work collaboratively and collectively to try to stop that course. I know we work in an industry that believes in the diversity imperative, so we know that the companies we work with are going to put resources toward it. 

MCN: What are some of the highlights of this year’s conference? 

MB: I bet I say this every year, but I think this is one of the most extraordinary collections of speakers we’ve ever had. I’m really excited and proud about where we are and I think that’s why we’ve seen our numbers stay strong from year to year. We have some tremendous general sessions and keynote speakers, including [MSNBC President] Rashida Jones. One of the things that we know in terms of building diversity is that it starts in the C-suite. Women are going to get parity with men exponentially quicker when men are part of the solution. That’s why I’m excited about the CEO panel that we’re doing. There will be some real important CEOs who really are putting forward best practices when it comes to putting women at all different levels within the company, including [Cox Communications President and CEO] Pat Esser, [Altice USA CEO] Dexter Goei, [Urban One CEO] Alfred Liggins and [Charter Communications CFO] Chris Winfrey. I’m also a huge fan of our 'Pearls of Wisdom' session as well as our 'Beyond the Hashtag:#LoveIsLove' session. Niecy Nash is going to preempt the session with lovely remarks about her journey.

MCN: WICT is planning to hold the Leadership Conference in person next year. Does having gone virtual for two straight years present some challenges for the conference in 2022? 

MB: It does, but here’s the silver lining: I hope there will never be a WICT Leadership Conference that is strictly in person. I think we should always make it hybrid. We have to meet people where they are. Not everybody is going to want to get back in a crowded room right away. Also, some people just don't have the clearance to get on a plane and go to New York for a few days. We can really make this a more inclusive experience by reformatting it based on what we've learned in an entirely virtual scenario. 

The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) will launch its joint AIM/PAR Workforce Diversity Survey in November, with plans to release the findings during Diversity Week 2022.

The two-year joint workforce survey, which focuses on the current state of ethnic and gender diversity within the media and entertainment industry, was delayed from going out to industry companies earlier this year due to the pandemic, according to NAMIC and WICT officials. 

The 2019 AIM/PAR survey saw an increase in representation of people of color and women in executive and senior-level management positions by 3% and 2%, respectively, compared to the 2017 survey. Also, hiring rates for people of color exceeded the rate for white people by roughly 15% compared with the last survey, while hiring rates for women exceeded the rate of men by nine percentage points.

Read Also: WICT, NAMIC Surveys: Women, People of Color Increase Representation at Senior, Executive and Board Levels 

Leading up to the survey launch, NAMIC, WICT and the Walter Kaitz Foundation will kick off the Commit to be Counted campaign to garner awareness and a commitment from survey-eligible companies. The campaign will reinforce the value of participation in the survey and demonstrate how the data is a critical tool for the industry to improve its efforts to create inclusive workplaces, said the companies. 

The 2021 Diversity Week event will again be held virtually, but will resume with in-person activities in 2022, according to WICT, NAMIC and The Walter Kaitz Foundation. 

The 2021 WICT Leadership Conference and the NAMIC Conference will be held online beginning Oct. 4. In a joint press release the organizations said that they hope to build on the success of 2020’s virtual Diversity Week conferences, which were held online due to the pandemic. 

Read Also: Diversity Week Spurs Virtual Conversations

WICT’s annual Leadership Conference will kick off this year’s Diversity Week festivities Oct. 4-5. “WICT is excited to usher in Diversity Week 2021 with its Leadership Conference. We plan to feature a mix of live networking activities and seamless presentations, panels and interactive sessions, which proved to be a highly-successful formula last year,” said WICT President & CEO, Maria Brennan in a statement. “We look forward to collaborating with our diversity partners at NAMIC and the Walter Kaitz Foundation to provide the industry with a first-rate virtual experience.” 

NAMIC will hold its annual National Conference, titled Removing Barriers. Magnifying Opportunities, from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8. “As people around the world continue to navigate these challenging times, NAMIC is exploring important new ways to build diverse and inclusive workplace communities,” said Shuanise Washington, President and CEO of NAMIC. “Our theme is bold, intentional, and recognizes the moment we are in societally and the role that all of us collectively can play. I’m confident that Diversity Week 2021 will be educational, engaging, energizing, and entertaining.” 

The Walter Kaitz Foundation, which will not hold its fundraising dinner for the second straight year, will host a virtual event to celebrate the industry’s collective and future-focused efforts. “In the spirit of unity, we are excited to be part of Diversity Week 2021 which renews our industry’s efforts in support of equity and inclusion,” said Walter Kaitz Foundation Executive Director Michelle Ray.

Ray added that the organizations are looking forward to a return of in-person events in 2022.  “Knowing how much we all crave personal interaction, and with an optimistic eye towards global progress, we are thrilled to be planning the return of a spectacular in-person Dinner in New York City on October 12, 2022.”

Read Also: Michelle Ray Keeps Inclusion Efforts Top of Mind 

More than 30 networks, streaming services and digital companies, led by HBO, garnered 2021 NAMIC Vision Awards nominations as part of the diversity organization’s annual recognition of excellence in inclusive programming. 

WarnerMedia’s HBO led all programmers with 17 nominations across numerous categories (and its streaming companion, HBO Max, had two on its own). HBO dominated the “best performance in a comedy” category with three nominations for Insecure (Jay Ellis, Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji) and one for I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel. Tracy Morgan of TBS’s The Last O.G. rounded out the category.

The Last O.G., Insecure and I May Destroy You will also vie for best comedy series along with HBO’s Betty and Pop TV’s One Day at a Time. Nominees for top drama are CBS’s All Rise, AMC Plus’s Gangs of London, HBO’s Lovecraft Country, CBS’s S.W.A.T. and Showtime’s The Chi. 

Networks and streaming services earning multiple nominations included BET, Nickelodeon, TBS, Lifetime, CBS, Pop TV, A&E, NBC News, ESPN, Epix, HBO Max, Food Network, Cleo TV and Vice.

NAMIC in April will announce the winners of the Vision Awards, which honors programming that reflects the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color and mirrors the diverse composition of the viewing audience.

“We are proud to honor the programmers and storytellers who intentionally work to create enriching and entertaining content that embraces diversity and inclusion,” NAMIC president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington said. “Now more than ever, this content is essential to fostering greater understanding and acceptance.”

Animation 

Amphibia – Disney Channel 

Doc McStuffins – Disney Junior

Santiago of the Seas – Nickelodeon 

T.O.T.S. – Disney Junior 

Vampirina – Disney Junior

Awards & Honors 

2020 BET Awards – BET Networks 

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute – CNN 

Urban One Honors – TV One

Best Performance – Comedy 

Jay Ellis: Insecure – HBO 

Issa Rae: Insecure – HBO 

Michaela Coel: I May Destroy You – HBO 

Tracy Morgan: The Last O.G. – TBS 

Yvonne Orji: Insecure – HBO 

Best Performance – Drama 

Aunjanue Ellis: The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel – Lifetime 

Jonathan Majors: Lovecraft Country – HBO 

Jurnee Smollett: Lovecraft Country – HBO 

LaRoyce Hawkins: Chicago P.D. – NBC 

Shemar Moore: S.W.A.T. – CBS | Sony Pictures Television

Children’s 

Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism (CNN & Sesame Street) – CNN 

Santiago of the Seas – Nickelodeon 

The Crystal Maze – Nickelodeon 

Unleashed – Nickelodeon 

We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest – HBO

Comedy

Betty – HBO

I May Destroy You – HBO

Insecure – HBO 

One Day at a Time – PopTV 

The Last O.G. – TBS

Digital Media – Short Form 

African Voices: Miss Universe – CNN 

Blackface and Hollywood: A TCM Original Production – Turner Classic Movies

“Books Before Boxing” – NBC News Digital 

“Movements That Transformed Our World: The March Continues” – NBC News Digital 

“Pandering to Black Voters Isn’t New” – NBC News Digital

Documentary

Be Water - ESPN 

Blackfeet Boxing: Not Invisible – ESPN

By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem – Epix

First Ladies: Michelle Obama – CNN 

The Long Road to Freedom – Dateline 

Drama 

All Rise – CBS 

Gangs of London – AMC Plus 

Lovecraft Country – HBO 

S.W.A.T. – CBS | Sony Pictures Television 

The Chi – Showtime

Foreign Language

En La Línea: Latinoamérica – Discovery Networks Latin America / US Hispanic 

Pusong Pinoy Sa Amerika – GMA Pinoy TV 

Veneno – HBO Max

Lifestyle 

Christmas Cookie Challenge – Food Network 

“Iconic Harlem Restaurant on Small Business Survival During COVID-19” – NBC News

Lens of Culture – Cleo TV 

Man Fire Food – Cooking Channel 

Turkey Day Sunny’s Way – Food Network

News/Informational 

Enslaved – Epix 

John Lewis: In His Own Words – BET Networks 

NBC News Primetime Special: America in Crisis – NBC News 

Seeing America with Megan Rapinoe – HBO

Vice News Tonight: “Underlying Conditions: Coronavirus Devastates Navajo Nation” – Vice Media Group

Original Movie or Special

Between the World and Me – HBO 

One Day at a Time: The Politics Episode Animated Special – Pop TV 

Robin Roberts Presents: Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story – Lifetime 

Sherman’s Showcase Black History Month Spectacular – IFC 

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel – Lifetime  

Reality

Just Eats with Chef JJ – Cleo TV

Lens of Culture – Cleo TV 

Made from Scratch – Fuse 

Top Elf – Nickelodeon 

We’re Here – HBO

Reality – Social Issues

Blackfeet Boxing: Not Invisible – ESPN 

United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell – CNN 

Vice on Showtime: Losing Ground – Vice Media Group 

Voices Magnified: Locked Up in America – A&E 

Voices Magnified: Policing in America – A&E

Sports

Field of Dreams … Deferred – Turner Sports 

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel – HBO 

SC Featured: “Bubba” – ESPN 

SC Featured: “El Paso Strong” – ESPN

The Shop: Uninterrupted – HBO

Variety/Talk Show 

HA Festival: The Art of Comedy – HBO Max 

Tamron Hall – Syndicated 

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion – HBO Max

Wilmore – Peacock 

Yvonne Orji: Momma, I Made It! – HBO

 The industry’s Diversity Week festivities may not have been in person this year, but issues of diversity and inclusion remained front and center at the virtual events held by Women in Cable Telecommunications and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications.

Both WICT and NAMIC reported higher-than-expected attendance for their virtual presentations, which ran through most of last week. Between live registrations and on-demand signups, WICT said it has surpassed all previous WICT Leadership Conference attendance numbers with more than 843 registered attendees, while NAMIC reported registrations were up 40% from last year's in-person event. Both the WICT Leadership Conference and the NAMIC Conference were held at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in 2019.

COVID-19-related disruptions in business operations both in the office and the studio  — as well as the social unrest in the country initiated by the May 25 death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody — provided a backdrop to the issue of the industry’s continuing efforts to become more diverse and inclusive within the executive ranks and on the screen.

NCTA–The Internet & Television Association president and CEO Michael Powell said during a WICT Oct. 5 session that Floyd’s killing, as well as other high-profile deaths of people of color at the hands of police, has galvanized both individuals and businesses toward a social justice movement within the country. 

“Business really had a wake up call in a way that I had not seen happen before,” Powell told session moderator Lori Hall, of marketing agency Pop’N Creative. “You’re seeing a lot more willingness by a new generation of business leaders to speak up and commit their company culture resources to important social questions facing the nation.” 

ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish said during NAMIC’s virtual town hall on Oct. 8 that the conversations on race relations within companies are taking on greater relevance due to the events of this year. 

“I would say that eight minutes and 46 seconds really jolted us,” Bakish said of the time police kneeled on Floyd’s neck prior to his death. “It’s created a reckoning that’s led us all to confront systematic racism and bias that lives around us. We need to examine what we need to do to make diversity, inclusion, equity and justice a reality for everyone.”

Executives said part of that reality is further diversifying the executive ranks, as well as creating content that more accurately depicts the images and stories of people of color. While those efforts continue, speakers said the pandemic had created a new normal that the industry is still adjusting to and grappling with. 

The pandemic “has enabled us to think so much more creatively and pivot and work very quickly in brand new ways that we never thought we could,” Discovery Inc. chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch said during an Oct. 5 WICT session called “Navigating Chaos in a COVID World.”

Black News Channel president and CEO Princell Hair added it's important for the industry in general and the country at large to continue to remain diligent in diversity and inclusion efforts while not turning a blind eye to the plight of those who may have different experiences. 

“There’s a call to action that hasn’t been there in the past,” Hair said. “You can’t change what you don’t see, and it feels like society at large is really seeing what the problem is. It’s not just the people that are impacted by these various social injustices, coronavirus or struggling economy.” 

The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, in partnership with Multichannel News, will celebrate the recipients of the 2020 Next Generation Leader Awards and Luminary Awards at a virtual awards ceremony, titled “40 Years: A Celebration of Legacy Building” sponsored by Univision Communications and set for Oct. 7 during the 34th Annual NAMIC Conference.

“Collectively, we are building our legacy for future generations, one that will go down in the history books as a model of strength, determination  and perseverance,” NAMIC president  A. Shuanise Washington said of the event. “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, this year’s conference is a time to reflect on our progress, embrace new challenges, and define a roadmap for the future.” 

Profiles in  this section were provided by NAMIC. For more information on NAMIC’s Annual Awards Ceremony and the virtual 2020 NAMIC Conference, part of Diversity Week, visit conference.namic.com.

More on Diversity Week: WICT, NAMIC Power Up a Virtual Diversity Week

LEADERS

Rohan Kumar
Group VP, Digital Marketing, Charter Communications

Rohan Kumar, who joined Charter in 2014, oversees digital marketing and sales activities across residential, mobile and small and midsized businesses. His purview includes digital media, analytics, SEM/SEO, Etail, social media, website creative, delivery, product, QA and online ordering. Rohan was previously senior VP, strategic partnerships/media for TruEffect, served as the principal for Momentum Mechanics, and was the chief marketing officer for HDVMS – Adshuffle. Rohan received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University, and attended the Cable Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Donna Northington
Executive VP, Distribution, Financial Planning and Strategy, WarnerMedia Distribution

Donna Northington leads a group at the domestic distribution and marketing arm of WarnerMedia that translates distribution strategic initiatives into financial and operating plans. Northington’s team works to develop rates, sales incentives, contract terms, annual budgets and long-range plans for WarnerMedia’s portfolio of domestic TV networks, premium channels and direct-to-consumer brands. She also assesses the economic impact of various business decisions and content acquisition targets and oversees the business operations department. Northington is based in Atlanta and reports to Rich Warren, president of WarnerMedia Distribution and Trey Turner, executive VP and chief financial officer, WarnerMedia Sales & International.

Philip Nutsugah
Senior VP, Product Development & Management , Cox Communications

Philip Nutsugah oversees Cox’s entire portfolio of residential and business products, including internet, video, voice, home security and automation, digital apps, wireless, devices and networking. Since joining Cox in 2006, Nutsugah has overseen the launch and rapid growth of such services as DOCSIS-based Gigabit Internet service, Panoramic WiFi, Contour Stream Player, SD-WAN, managed WiFi, MalBlock and managed security. Operationally, Nutusgah has overhauled Cox’s mobile app strategy and has improved the self-installation and self-service experience. Prior to joining Cox, he worked for Verizon and GTE in various leadership roles in Tampa, Dallas, St. Louis and Atlanta. The University of South Florida graduate served on Cox’s National Diversity & Inclusion Council for eight years and in 2019 was the executive sponsor of Cox’s Thrive Employee Resource Group. 

LUMINARIES

Michael Alexander
VP, Engineering and Construction, Altice USA

Michael Alexander is responsible for strategic planning supporting Altice’s national footprint; scoping, engineering, and deployment of enhanced design and construction projects.  He manages a staff of 200-plus contract engineers, consultants, contractors and vendors. He is also a board member of Altice’s Black Employee Affinity Network.

Alexander has keen experience in cable upgrades, operations  and public access WiFi, for which he holds   three related U.S. patents.  He is an SCTE certified member, founding member of the  SCTE Broadband GIS (geographic information system) group, and remains engaged in GIS software development. He has a background in engineering and business and graduated from Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus.

He is a life member of NAACP Lakeview in West Hempstead, N.Y.; president of the Lakeview Public Library; a board member and participant in mentoring programs such as Young Lions and Save Our Sons; a recipient of numerous community awards; and a passionate audiophile, art aficionado, and classic car enthusiast.

Julissa Bonfante
VP, Content Publicity, Univision Commmunications

Julissa Bonfante is responsible for developing, directing and managing all publicity efforts for Univision’s multiplatform content and top-ranked tentpole events. She works closely with network executives, show producers and talent relations to develop and execute comprehensive communications campaigns that help drive awareness and brand positioning in the marketplace.

Prior to this role, Bonfante served as director of corporate communications at Univision since 2016, where she played an integral role in spearheading communications efforts around the programmer’s digital portfolio.

Bonfante has more than 15 years of experience working in various roles across digital, corporate communications, media relations, executive positioning and brand management. She earned a bachelor of arts in media studies and psychology and an MBA in marketing from Fordham University.

Ashley McFarlin Buie
VP, Development, WE tv

Ashley McFarlin Buie oversees new and developing projects for WE tv and serves as an executive producer on the popular series Beyond the Pole. 

A 20-year industry veteran, she founded Bird’s Eye Entertainment and has worked on a multitude of shows with various television networks including Bravo, Discovery, OWN, Oxygen, CNN, MTV, Travel Channel and VH1, producing popular series such as Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac (season one), The First Family of Hip Hop and Southern Charm New Orleans (season one). She also produced VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop spinoff series Meet the Mackies, as well as VH1’s hit Girls Cruise. She began her career as a production assistant at CNN.

Buie has served as an adjunct professor at Montclair State University, a guest lecturer at Yale and Clark Atlanta Universities; and as codirector of a nonprofit teen empowerment organization based in Harlem, The Power of You Teens. She has also published a book of daily devotionals, The Truth: Wrapped In Love. 

Buie received her B.A. in mass communications from Howard University, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Tushar Dave
VP, Call Center Desktop Applications, Charter Communications

Tushar Dave is responsible for leadership and technical oversight of various desktop applications used by call-center agents and shared services teams across customer operations. He leads an organization of 100-plus employees that is responsible for the development and implementation roadmaps of multiple strategic applications. Dave is an integral part of the Customer Operations Technology leadership team, driving improvements in customer experience, ingraining a world‐class sales and service culture and driving agent effectiveness as well as operating efficiencies. Dave has been on the Charter team for five years, starting as senior director, where he provided executive oversight and technical leadership for delivery of multiple CRM/non-CRM based applications and business analytics tools.

Dave joined Charter from Verizon Communications, where he managed the technical solution delivery of sales, retention and service support applications for Verizon's flagship FiOS product. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India, as well as a master’s degree in Computer Science, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Akash Gupta
VP, Digital Analytics, Discovery’s U.S. Digital Media Team

Akash Gupta is responsible for leading strategy, analytics and insights for the digital business for 17 networks including Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network and TLC. 

Prior to Discovery, Gupta worked as an investment banker at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Technology, Media and Telecom industry group.There, he worked on several higher-profile deals including Comcast’s acquisition of NBCUniversal from GE, the sale of Knology Holdings to WideOpenWest and AMC Networks’s spinoff from Cablevision Systems.

Akash has an MBA with high honors from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. He also has a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

Parvathy Hariharan
VP, Sales and Marketing, Comcast

Parvarthy Hariharan is responsible for building and executing strategies to drive subscriber growth and achieve financial objectives within Comcast’s 2.2 million-customer Heartland Region. She also is responsible for leading efforts in reducing customer churn. 

Prior to leading sales and marketing, Hariharan led the region’s efforts to transform the customer experience by combining analytical and data-driven insights with emotional intelligence to persuade and influence key stakeholders to drive change. 

Prior to Comcast, Parvathy practiced corporate strategy and advisory consulting for more than a decade. Her transformation efforts impacted more than $750 million in top-line growth and more than $500 million in bottom-line improvement at Fortune 500 clients. 

Her functional expertise includes growth and innovation, go-to-market approaches,
customer acquisition and retention strategies, mergers and acquisitions, sales effectiveness and pricing and profitability management. She developed this in a variety of business sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, distribution, chemicals, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. She is a board member at City Year Detroit and NAMIC Detroit and is an active mentor in the Customer Experience Professionals Association.

Cecilia Masola
VP, Digital Content Licensing, A+E Networks

Cecilia Masola develops and executes growth strategies for A+E Networks content on nonlinear platforms. Using a data-inspired approach, she works to optimize content placement, negotiate digital partnerships and project earnings.

Masola’s career began at Nielsen where she gained foundational research expertise across media platforms. Later, Masola moved onto AT&T where she was tasked with managing DirecTV Latin America’s proprietary ratings product. During her tenure at AT&T, she gained additional responsibilities leading negotiations for the licensing of non-linear content.  

Masola’s diverse background has enhanced her experience. She was born in Argentina and moved around the world, living in the U.S., Italy, Spain and Brazil. Being a “third-culture kid” allows her to enthusiastically embrace change, which led her to accept special projects and roles throughout her career that brought her to Chicago, San Francisco, London and Latin America.

Dana S. Wilson
Senior VP, Reliability Engineering, Comcast

Dana Wilson is responsible for driving and improving all standards across Comcast specific to change, incident, problem and asset management within network operations. She also leads reliability engineering product development, platform automation and national data center operations.

She joined Comcast in 2011 and has held roles of increasing leadership responsibility, most recently as VP, customer experience assurance. During her tenure, she led the delivery of Comcast’s Olympics experience for both the 2012 Summer and 2013 Winter Games. She also led the integration of the NBC Sports Live Extra Olympics app on X1, providing customers with 1,000 hours of live streaming coverage of the Sochi Winter Games.  

Wilson started her career at Comcast as senior director of product planning and delivery for Comcast Interactive Media, where she managed execution of the Xfinity product roadmap for online and mobile entertainment.

She is a graduate of Drexel University and holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. Wilson obtained a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, which reflects her expertise in leading and executing complex initiatives across an organization.

The coronavirus pandemic has not dampened the interest and importance of Diversity Week within the cable industry, as WICT and NAMIC will hold their respective annual conferences virtually this week.

From in-depth video keynotes and panel sessions to virtual happy hours and meet and greets, the groups will look to make the virtual WICT Leadership Conference (Oct. 5-6) and the 34th Annual NAMIC Conference (Oct. 6-9) as informative and enlightening as past in-person Diversity Week gatherings. 

“There will always be a need for diversity and inclusion,” National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications president and CEO A. Shuanise Washington said. “Given the fact that we are in a pandemic environment and given the overall environment that we are operating in as a country, what NAMIC brings to bear in a general nature is clearly more important for our audience this year.” 

More on Diversity Week: Celebrating a Legacy During Unusual Times

Women in Cable Telecommunications president and CEO Maria Brennan said this year’s conference theme, “The Power of Resilience,” is fitting given the challenges the industry and the country has faced this year. 

“When you think about the images we’ve seen on TV and the documentaries that our members have been developing that capture what has been going on in the country, it shows the resiliency of the human spirit,” she said.

Attendance Holding Up  

Despite the unprecedented virtual venue for this year’s conferences, both WICT and NAMIC said registrations are pacing well against traditional attendance marks. 

Between live registrations and on-demand signups, WICT said it has surpassed all previous Leadership Conference attendance numbers with 843 registered attendees as of Sept. 2. 

NAMIC reported that registrations are 40% higher for this year's conference than for last year's live event.

As with previous conferences, WICT and NAMIC will partner for a joint general session on Oct. 6 focused on creating successful Employee Resource Groups that will include AMC Networks chief transformation and people officer Jennifer Caserta; Altice USA executive VP of government and community affairs and chief diversity officer Lee Schroeder; and Comcast executive director of diversity and inclusion Mini Timmaraju. 

While most of the WICT Leadership Conference sessions will be pre-produced, Brennan said that some elements of the conference will be presented live. 

“What’s cool about the conference is that it’ll be pretty hard to discern what’s live and what’s not,” she said. “It’s going to feel like you’re very much walking into the ballroom at the Marriott Marquis — the only difference is that you can go in your sweats.” 

WICT’s opening morning on Oct. 5 will feature a “Super Session” featuring Today host Sheinelle Jones and Comcast VP of local media development Ebonne Ruffins, followed by a keynote session featuring Deborah Gruenfeld, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University’s School of Business. Also on the agenda are appearances by NCTA: The Internet & Television Association president and CEO Michael Powell, Discovery Inc. chief programming content and brand officer Kathleen Finch and TV One general manager Michelle Rice. 

Brennan said the conference will also continue with its popular “Pearls of Wisdom” session on Oct. 6, which features mini-keynotes from industry leaders. eatured speakers include HGTV president Jane Latman, attorney and TV host Eboni Willams and Diversability CEO and founder Tiffany Yu.

Overall, Brennan said the conference will offer 25 hours of programming across two days. “The beauty of it is you can consume it at your own pace,” she said. “As the program progresses it becomes on demand content.”

The NAMIC Conference’s  theme — “Building a Legacy: The Future is Now” — celebrates the organization’s four decades of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the cable and communications industry workforce, Washington said. 

The four-day conference will offer keynote and breakout sessions that would have been offered concurrently under normal circumstances. “In the past people had to make a choice as to which ones to attend, but we’re not doing any overlapping programming this year as part of the conference,” she said. 

NAMIC will kick things off with its L. Patrick Mellon Mentoring Session, featuring WarnerMedia executive VP and chief enterprise inclusion officer Christy Haubegger and Essence Communications co-founder, CEO and publisher Ed Lewis. Oct. 8’s session will bring together ViacomCBS president and CEO Bob Bakish, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises executive VP chief administrative and marketing officer Mónica Gil, Black News Channel president and CEO Princell Hair and Revolt Media & TV co-head and chief operating officer Detavio Samuels for a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Race and Relevancy in the Workplace, according to Washington. 

The organization will also recognize its Next Generation Leaders, Luminaries and Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award honoree during its Oct. 7 annual awards ceremony (see related story, page 16), as well as host a  Virtual Red Carpet and ELDP Graduation Ceremony on Oct. 9.

Rethinking Future Events

Washington said the ability for conference registrants to attend all of the conference sessions either live and on demand has helped build awareness and interest in the conference. She added that the situation has also forced NAMIC to rethink how it will operate future NAMIC Conferences. 

“It forces you to think about how you do business differently,” she said. “However the new normal will look when we open back up again, I think it’s safe to say that NAMIC will be looking at virtual opportunities for programming delivery from here on out.”

Brennan said future WICT Conferences would also look different post-pandemic.

“Everybody is going to have a different tolerance for crowds and live events after COVID-19 is under control, so for us there will be in the foreseeable future a hybrid approach to this event,” she said. “The WICT Leadership Conference is that one event in which all of our masses can get together, so we may continue to have some events online in the future.” λ

Longtime cable executive and NAMIC board member Nate Garner has died at the age of 75.

Garner began his long cable career in 1978 with Time Inc’s American Telecommunications and Cable (ATC), where he served in numerous executive roles within Time Warner Cable’s Manhattan Cable system. He was named President of Manhattan's Paragon Cable in 1986, making him the first African-American president of a cable system in New York.

In 1994, he served as Senior Vice President of USA Network’s eastern region affiliate sales, playing a key role in the launch of the SYFY channel. Garner also launched several start-up companies, including a broadcast venture in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999.

During his tenure within the cable industry Garner also worked to ensure access and equality in the media and entertainment. In the early 1990s Garner was instrumental in helping to launch the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Cable diversity organization. As a founding member and eventual board member of NAMIC, Garner used the organization’s strength and reach to raise awareness regarding pathways to cable system ownership.

“NAMIC would not exist today if it were not for Nate Garner,” said Douglas Holloway, former NBCUniversal executive and current founder of the UKW Media Roku channel. “Nate was a true cable pioneer and in particular a black cable pioneer. He set a standard for excellence and was a person that mentored so many, including me. He led the industry in advocating Black ownership of cable systems and entrepreneurship. He will be sorely missed.”

Garner is survived by his five adult children, including A+E Networks executive VP, content licensing and business development Mark Garner. 

HBO for the fourth year in a row drew top honors for NAMIC’s 26th annual Vision Awards, the diversity organization announced Wednesday morning.

HBO won four Vision Awards to top all networks, with NBC following a close second with three wins. The Vision Awards honor programming that reflects the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color that mirror the diverse composition of the viewing audience.

CBS All Access’ Twilight Zone reboot hosted by Jordan Peele (pictured) was the top choice in the Best Performance, Drama category, while HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show won top honors for Best Performance, Comedy, said NAMIC. Overall NAMIC announced a total of 17 Vision Awards for networks and distributors this year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored how much our nation relies on broadcast and cable programmers and storytellers to educate, entertain, and enrich our communities,” said NAMIC President and CEO A. Shuanise Washington. “Today, we not only are honoring winners of the Vision Awards but also are offering our deepest appreciation for the vital service they provide.”

The complete list of Vision Awards winners are listed below:

Animation

Elena of Avalor – Disney Junior

Awards & Honors

2019 Black Girls Rock! – BET Networks

Best Performance – Comedy

Kal Penn: Sunnyside – NBC

Best Performance – Drama

Brian Tee: Chicago Med – NBC

Children’s

Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Special – HBO

Comedy

A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO

Digital Media – Short Form

Voices of the Civil Rights Movement – Confronting America’s Broken Promise – Comcast | NBCUniversal

Documentary

True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality – HBO

Drama

The Twilight Zone – CBS All Access

Foreign Language

Caravanas – Discovery Network Latin America

Lifestyle

No Passport Required – PBS

News/Informational

Life Inside: Angola – Dateline

Original Movie or Special

I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story – Lifetime

Reality

Made from Scratch – Fuse

Reality – Social Issues

Unapologetic – ESPN

Sports

The Shop: Uninterrupted – HBO

Variety/Talk Show

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons -- ABC

HBO drew the most nods — 17 in all — when diversity organization NAMIC announced its 2020 NAMIC Vision Awards, which recognize original programming that reflects the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color and represents the ethnic and cultural diversity of the viewing audience.

NBC finished second with 10 nominations, followed by BET with 8, the organization said on April 2. NBC’s comedy Sunnyside was the most nominated show, with four nods. Broadcasters fared well, garnering at least one Vision Awards nomination in the major comedy and drama categories, including a sweep of the Best Performance for a Drama category. The Vision Awards winner will be announced in late April. Here are this year’s nominees.

Animation

DuckTales, Disney Channel
Elena of Avalor, Disney Junior
Fancy Nancy, Disney Junior
Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures, Disney Junior
The Casagrandes, Nickelodeon

Awards & Honors

2019 BET Awards, BET Networks
2019 Black Girls Rock!, BET Networks
Kids’ Choice Sports 2019, Nickelodeon
2019 Soul Train Awards, BET Networks

Best Performance – Comedy

Kal Penn, Sunnyside, NBC
Kiran Deol, Sunnyside, NBC
Lin-Manuel Miranda, DuckTales, Disney Channel
Moses Storm, Sunnyside, NBC
Robin Thede, A Black Lady Sketch Show, HBO

Best Performance – Drama

Brian Tee, Chicago Med, NBC
Hill Harper, The Good Doctor, ABC
LaRoyce Hawkins, Chicago P.D., NBC
Marlyne Barrett, Chicago Med, NBC
Shemar Moore, S.W.A.T., CBS/Sony Pictures Television

Children’s

America’s Most Musical Family, Nickelodeon
Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Special, HBO

Comedy

A Black Lady Sketch Show, HBO
Ballers, HBO
Los Espookys, HBO
Sunnyside, NBC
Will & Grace, NBC

Digital Media – Short Form

Robin Roberts Presents Thriver Thursday: Dr. Okanlami, Rock’n Robin Productions/ABC
Robin Roberts Presents Thriver Thursday: Yusuf Dahl, Rock’n Robin Production/ABC
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement — America’s First Daily Black Newspaper, Comcast
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement — Confronting America’s Broken Promise, Comcast
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement — Our Accountability: Learning to Lead from Dr. King, Comcast

Documentary

Finding Justice, BET Networks
Martin: The Legacy of a King, BET Networks
The Apollo, HBO
True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality, HBO
What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, HBO

Drama

My Brilliant Friend, HBO
S.W.A.T., CBS/Sony Pictures Television
Godfather of Harlem, EPIX
The Twilight Zone, CBS All Access
The Good Fight, CBS All Access

Foreign Language

Caravanas, Discovery Networks Latin America Our Boys, HBO

Lifestyle

Christmas Cookie Challenge, Food Network
CNN’s Turning Points with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Special Projects
Delicious Miss Brown, Food Network
Man Fire Food, Cooking Channel
No Passport Required, PBS

News/Informational

American Injustice: A BET Town Hall, BET Networks
Life Inside: Angola, Dateline NBC
MSNBC’s Justice for All Town Hall, NBC News Group
VICE News Tonight: Blackface Hunters, HBO
Young, Gifted and Broke: Our Student Debt Crisis – A BET Town Hall, BET Networks

Original Movie or Special

Collisions, Fuse
I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story, Lifetime
Native Son, HBO
O.G., HBO

Reality

Made from Scratch, Fuse
Sunday Best, BET Networks
T-Pain’s School of Business, Fuse
Untold Stories of Hip Hop, WE tv
World of Dance, NBC

Reality – Social Issues

Rough Places Made Smooth, CBS Sports Network
Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin, ID
VICE News Tonight: Lifesize Mourning, HBO
VICE News Tonight: Trans Activist Miss Major Revisits the Stonewall Riots, HBO
Unapologetic, ESPN

Sports

Althea & Arthur, CBS Sports Network
Definition of a Hero, ESPN
Israel Adesanya, ESPN
Special Olympics 50 Game Changers: Inclusion in UAE, ESPN
The Shop: Uninterrupted, HBO

HBO topped all cable and streaming services in garnering the most 2020 NAMIC Vision Awards nominations, the diversity organization announced Thursday.

The premium network garnered 17 nominations for NAMIC Vision Awards -- which honors programming that reflects the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color that mirrors the diverse composition of the viewing audience. -- to lead all nominees.

NBC finished second with 10 nominations, followed by BET with eight nods.

NBC’s comedy Sunnyside was the most nominated show with four, according to NAMIC. The broadcast networks fared well in generating NAMIC Vision Awards nominations, garnering at least one nomination in the major comedy and drama series categories and sweeping the Best Performance for a Drama category, according to NAMIC. 

The Vision Awards winner will be announced in late April. Below are the 2020 NAMIC Vision Awards nominees:

Animation

DuckTales – Disney Channel

Elena of Avalor – Disney Junior

Fancy Nancy – Disney Junior

Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures – Disney Junior

The Casagrandes – Nickelodeon

Awards & Honors

2019 BET Awards – BET Networks

2019 Black Girls Rock! – BET Networks

Kids’ Choice Sports 2019 – Nickelodeon

2019 Soul Train Awards – BET Networks

Best Performance – Comedy

Kal Penn: Sunnyside – NBC

Kiran Deol: Sunnyside – NBC

Lin-Manuel Miranda: DuckTales – Disney Channel

Moses Storm: Sunnyside – NBC

Robin Thede: A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO

Best Performance – Drama

Brian Tee: Chicago Med – NBC

Hill Harper: The Good Doctor – ABC

LaRoyce Hawkins: Chicago P.D. – NBC

Marlyne Barrett: Chicago Med – NBC

Shemar Moore: S.W.A.T. – CBS | Sony Pictures Television

Children’s

America’s Most Musical Family – Nickelodeon

Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Special – HBO

Comedy

A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO

Ballers – HBO

Los Espookys – HBO

Sunnyside – NBC

Will & Grace – NBC

Digital Media – Short Form

Robin Roberts Presents Thriver Thursday: Dr. Okanlami – Rock’n Robin Productions | ABC

Robin Roberts Presents Thriver Thursday: Yusuf Dahl – Rock’n Robin Productions | ABC

Voices of the Civil Rights Movement – America’s First Daily Black Newspaper – Comcast

Voices of the Civil Rights Movement – Confronting America’s Broken Promise – Comcast

Voices of the Civil Rights Movement – Our Accountability: Learning to Lead From Dr. King– Comcast

Documentary

Finding Justice – BET Networks

Martin: The Legacy of a King – BET Networks

The Apollo - HBO

True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality – HBO

What’s My Name | Muhammad Ali – HBO

Drama

My Brilliant Friend – HBO

S.W.A.T – CBS | Sony Pictures Television

Godfather of Harlem - EPIX

The Twilight Zone – CBS All Access

The Good Fight – CBS All Access

Foreign Language

Caravanas – Discovery Networks Latin America

Our Boys – HBO

Lifestyle

Christmas Cookie Challenge – Food Network

CNN’s Turning Points with Dr. Sanjay Gupta – CNN Special Projects

Delicious Miss Brown – Food Network

Man Fire Food – Cooking Channel

No Passport Required – PBS

News/Informational

American Injustice: A BET Town Hall – BET Networks

Life Inside: Angola – Dateline NBC

MSNBC’s Justice for All Town Hall – NBC News Group

VICE News Tonight: Blackface Hunters – HBO

Young, Gifted and Broke: Our Student Debt Crisis – A BET Town Hall – BET Networks

Original Movie or Special

Collisions – Fuse

I am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story – Lifetime

Native Son – HBO

O.G. – HBO

Reality

Made from Scratch – Fuse

Sunday Best – BET Networks

T-Pain’s School of Business – Fuse

Untold Stories of Hip Hop – WE tv

World of Dance – NBC

Reality – Social Issues

Rough Places Made Smooth – CBS Sports

Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin – Investigation Discovery

VICE News Tonight: Lifesize Mourning – HBO

VICE News Tonight: Trans Activist Miss Major Revisits the Stonewall Riots – HBO

Unapologetic – ESPN

Sports

Althea & Arthur – CBS Sports Network

Definition of a Hero – ESPN

Israel Adesanya – ESPN

Special Olympics 50 Game Changers: Inclusion in UAE – ESPN

The Shop: Uninterrupted – HBO

Variety/Talk Show

Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’ – HBO

Desus & Mero – SHOWTIME

First Take HBCU Special – ESPN

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons – ABC

The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! – ABC

The cable and communications industry has made major strides in the hiring of women and people of color, but the industry is struggling with retaining women and people of color at the same pace as men and whites, according to industry diversity employment studies from NAMIC and WICT.

The results of the biennial study — revealed this morning at a Town Hall meeting in conjunction with the WICT Leadership Conference and the NAMIC Conference — offered offered encouraging news on hiring and promotion of people of color and women compared to the last conducted reports in 2017.

Among the companies that participated in both the 2017 and the 2019 surveys, the 2019 AIM/PAR Workforce Survey reported that representation of people of color at executive/senior managers levels increased to 28.4% from 25.1% over the two-year period. In addition, the percentage of people of color at board of director levels increased to 16.8% from 15.3%. Compared to whites, the hiring percentage rate of people of color is 15.4 percentage points higher, said the survey.

Overall, people of color representation within cable industry increased at all levels for both operators and programmers, according to the survey. 

“It’s encouraging to see that people of color are making advancements in the industry,” says NAMIC President and CEO Shuanise Washington.

The survey also reported that female representation at the executive/senior management level increased to 34.9% from 32.7% compared to 2017, as well as at the board of directors level, to 25.2% from 16.8%. The overall promotional rate is higher for women than for men.

“We are grateful that we work in an industry that allows WICT and NAMIC to measure workforce diversity and inclusion,” said WICT President & CEO Maria E. Brennan. “Knowing where women and people of color stand is step-one in ensuring progress. As the survey results show, for women, closing the gaps in hiring and employee retention are central to achieving parity with men.”

The surveys also raised several red flags for the industry. Promotional rates for people of color are lower than whites, and young white professionals under the age of 36 are promoted at more than two times the rate of young professionals of color, according to the survey. For women, the survey reports that the turnover rate for women is 7.3 percentage points higher than for men.

“Clearly more needs to be done, particularly in the area of retaining and promoting people of color,” Washington said. “Companies need to shift from focusing solely on diversity to also focusing on inclusion. That’s where you are going to start to see real progress because diversity without inclusion is not effective in the long term.”

Brennan added that the data will help fortify the industry’s efforts to become more diverse and inclusive. “Like our partners at NAMIC and The Walter Kaitz Foundation, we will use this data to help companies strengthen their practices and policies to improve recruitment and retention of women within their workforce.” 

The AIM/PAR Workforce Survey was administered by research company Mercer and financially supported by The Walter Kaitz Foundation. A total of 21 organizations representing 75.5% of the industry workforce participated in the online survey of cable and communications companies, which employ more than 245,000 people, according to the organizations.

HBO took home the most 2019 NAMIC Vision Awards, which were announced Tuesday during the Multicultural TV Summit in New York.

HBO won four Vision Awards, including best comedy for its Issa Rae-led comedy Insecure, according to NAMIC. NBC Asian American won three awards, while ESPN garnered two Vision Awards, which recognize original programming that reflects the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color and represents ethnic and cultural diversity of the viewing audience, said the diversity organization.

The awards were announced during a luncheon event at the Multicultural TV Summit in New York -- hosted by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable -- which explores the business of reaching diverse audiences for TV and video.

The 2019 NAMIC Vision Awards winners are as follows:

Animation 

Disney Junior – Elena of Avalor

Awards & Honors

BET Networks – 2018 Soul Train Awards

Best Performance – Comedy

HBO – Dwayne Johnson: Ballers

Best Performance – Drama

TV One – Meta Golding: Behind the Movement

Children’s

HBO – Sesame Street

Comedy

HBO – Insecure

Digital Media – Long Form

NBC Asian America – Searching for Queer Asian Pacific America

Digital Media – Short Form

CNN – 25 Influential American Muslims

Documentary

Paramount Network – Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story

Drama

Showtime – The Chi

Lifestyle

NBC Asian America – Open the Pantry

News/Informational

National Geographic – America Inside Out with Katie Couric

Original Movie or Special

HBO – Icebox

Reality

FUSE – T-Pain’s School of Business

Reality – Social Issues

ESPN – ESPN Features – SC Featured: The Black 14

Sports

ESPN – ESPN Features – SC Featured: Bubba

Variety/Talk Show

NBC Asian America – Break Shot with Will Choi

The news media is under siege but its role in society has never been more important and needed than in today’s hyper-political environment, according to CNN news anchor Don Lemon.

“Everyday it’s like drinking from a fire hose of news … it is exhausting,” said Lemon, who serve as the keynote speaker Tuesday at the 32nd annual NAMIC Conference. “Everything has changed when it comes to this new world order and beyond in the media.”

Lemon, who anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, said he never expected to experience the current level of vitriol and attacks directed at the mainstream news media when he first began his TV journalism career.

“It was never my intent to be fighting people who write and say the most vile and racist things about me on social media and television,” he said. “It was not what I intended [to see] that my profession would constantly be under attack by the Oval office and from masses of Americans. But let me tell you, I’m here for it and I’m ready to live up to that challenge.”

Lemon, the only African-American journalist currently hosting a primetime cable news show, said that right now is the most important time in recent history to be a journalist to serve as a reliable check and balance to often misleading and unreliable information coming from all corners of the political spectrum. He added it’s also a perilous time for reporters, pointing to the recent disappearance and suspected murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“In the context of this new world order of dramatic political, social, and unparalleled technological change, the role of media has never been more important, and it's also never been more dangerous,” Lemon said. "Foreign reporters in war zones, as well as domestic reporters and journalists like me in war zones of our own here at home, are facing angry people and the threats of violence.”

Lemon also said traditional news media outlets also face threats from social media, which often posts inaccurate news and information. “It is incumbent upon the owners and managers of those sites like Facebook and Twitter to do their due diligence, and it’s incumbent upon you and the rest of America to make sure that they do it,” he said.

The Cable TV Industry’s Annual Diversity Week returns to New York this coming week with Women In Cable Telecommunications, the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications and the Walter Kaitz Foundation hosting events to highlight the industry’s efforts toward creating more diversity and inclusion both on screen and in the executive suite.

WICT leads things off Monday (Oct. 15) with its annual Leadership Conference. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group chairman Bonnie Hammer will deliver the opening keynote at the gathering, which bears the theme “The Intersection of Imagination & Activation.”

WICT Gathering Leads Off

Highlights of the conference include Monday’s Touchstones Luncheon, in which WICT will honor its 2018 Women of the Year: Italia Commisso Weinand, executive vice president of programming and human resources for Mediacom Communications, and Mary Campbell, chief merchandising and interactive officer, Qurate Retail Group. (All three events cited here are at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.)

Author and journalist Joanne Lipman will provide the keynote address on Oct. 16 based on her book, That’s What She Said: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together.

WICT will also bring back its “Pearls of Wisdom” series of mini-keynotes delivered by influential female executives, including Michelle Gadsden-Williams, managing director, inclusion and diversity lead, North America, Accenture; Roma Khanna, CEO of Revolt Media and TV; Matt Abrahams, lecturer, organizational behavior, Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-founder, BoldEcho LLC; Francesca Gino, professor of business administration, Harvard Business School; and Masih Alinejad-Ghomi, journalist and author of The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran.

The two-day, 32nd annual NAMIC Conference begins on Tuesday (Oct. 16), with the theme “Empower Leaders, Create Super Heroes.” Led by Shuanise Washington, the organization’s newly named president, and NAMIC Conference co-chairs Italia Commisso Weinand and TV One general manager Michelle Rice, the conference’s numerous panels and events will offer insight towards the industry’s efforts to advance greater inclusion and diversity.

The conference will open with a keynote address from CNN anchor Don Lemon and will close with the organization’s annual awards luncheon Wednesday (Oct. 17). BET Networks chairman and CEO emeritus Debra Lee will receive NAMIC’s Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award.

The conference will also feature the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program Luncheon. Presented in partnership with WICT and sponsored by the Walter Kaitz Foundation, the program will feature John Kobara, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the California Community Foundation.

During last year’s Diversity Week, NAMIC and WICT teamed to present reports on workforce diversity for women and minorities. While the next report is not set until 2019, WICT president and CEO Maria Brennan said the week’s events put cable in a positive light relative to its diversity goals and initiatives.

“Our industry can teach other business sectors a thing or two about workplace diversity and inclusion,” Brennan said. “Not only does cable allow WICT and NAMIC to measure its workforce diversity, we set aside a full week to convene our stakeholders to share best practices. I know of no other business that does that.”

Kaitz Dinner Is Centerpiece

Diversity Week’s centerpiece is the 35th annual Walter Kaitz Foundation fundraising dinner on Wednesday (Oct. 17). The Kaitz dinner raises funds to support media and telecommunications industry diversity groups. The 2017 dinner raised more than $1.6 million. Under the theme “Diversity Through the Decades,” the dinner will celebrate African-American-targeted cable network TV One as 2018 Diversity Champion and the Boys & Girls Club of America as Diversity Advocate.

“These two organizations epitomize the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s belief that a demonstrated commitment to enhance diversity and inclusion can be achieved in groundbreaking and innovative ways across all organizations,” Michelle Ray, the newly named executive director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, said. “This 35th anniversary milestone offers our industry a unique opportunity to reflect upon the work we’ve all done to make diversity and inclusion one of the cornerstones of our industry while we chart a course for the future.”

TV One’s Michelle Rice, a former Kaitz fellow, told Multichannel News that her network is honored to be recognized by the Kaitz Foundation for contributing to diversity and inclusion on television.

“When we launched in 2004, there was only BET in the marketplace, and people then were questioning whether there needed to be another black network,” Rice said. “Now, if you look at the proliferation of black content across the platform, we know the answer to that question as the industry now understands the value of this audience, and we believe that we had a lot to do with that.”

The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Tuesday named its 2018 Next Generation Leaders Awards honorees.

NAMIC, in partnership with Multichannel News, will honor the executives – recognized for their emerging multicultural business leaders in the media and entertainment industry for their career successes and commitment to fostering diversity in the workplace – during its annual NAMIC Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Oct. 17.

The 2018 Next Generation Leader Awards in four categories are as follows:

Cable MSO: Tamara Bowens, Group VP, Field Marketing and Sales Enablement, Spectrum Enterprise, Charter Communications

Cable Programmer: Veronica Molina, Executive Director, News Standards & Practices, CNN Worldwide

Creative Discipline: Jennifer Perri, VP, Univision Creator Network, Univision Communications Inc.

Tech Company/Discipline: Saleem Malkana, VP, Product, New Digital Business, AMC Networks

“This year’s class of Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries are powerful advocates for inclusion and diversity in the workplace and are bringing tremendous value to their companies and our industry,” said Joiava Philpott, vice president, Regulatory Affairs, Law & Policy Department, Cox Communications and chairperson of the NAMIC National Board of Directors in a statement. “We should all be inspired by the talent, leadership and commitment of these honorees and the paths they are creating for those who follow in their footsteps.”

In addition NAMIC will also recognize 10 emerging executives in its 2018 Luminaries Class. Those honorees include James An, VP, Business Integration and Implementation, Charter Communications; Darshan Arneja, Executive Director, CRM Strategy and Planning, Cox Communications; Angel Arocho, Executive Director, Compliance, Comcast Cable; Tom Chiang, VP, Video Products, Charter Communications; Roy Cho, VP, Distribution, AMC Networks; Brendan Gabriel, VP, Production & Creative Director, The Africa Channel; Cherisse McKenzie, VP, Production, REVOLT Media & TV; Toni Murphy, VP, Comcast Business, Comcast Cable; Sheereen Russell, VP, Ad Sales & Partner Solutions, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; Jose Zamora, SVP, Strategic Communications, News, Univision Communications Inc.

The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) has named CNN journalist Don Lemon as the keynote speaker for its 32nd annual NAMIC Conference this fall.

Lemon, who hosts the news network’s CNN Tonight news series, will open the Oct. 16-17 conference, which will feature as its theme “Empower Leaders, Create Superheroes,” according to the organization.

“We are honored to have Don as our opening keynote speaker,” Joiava Philpott, vice president of regulatory affairs, Law & Policy department, Cox Communications, and chair of the NAMIC National Board of Directors said in a statement. “He is the consummate journalist who brings his authentic self to everything he does, and I know everyone attending the NAMIC Conference will walk away with something from his story and the insights he will bring during his talk.”

Along with education sessions and networking events, the 32nd Annual NAMIC Conference will be highlighted by the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program Luncheon, which honors the recipient of the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, along with the 2018 class of Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries. NAMIC will also present the Excellence in Multicultural Marketing Awards (EMMA) during the conference, according to NAMIC. 

The National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) is calling for nominations for its 2018 Next Generation Leaders Awards, which will be presented during the NAMIC Annual Awards Luncheon this October.

The awards, which honors multi-ethnic executives for their leadership and contributions to their companies and the industry, will be presented in four categories: Cable MSO, Cable Programmer, Technology Company/Disciplines and Creative Disciplines. Nominations deadline for this year’s Next Generation Leaders Awards is June 1, according to NAMIC.

Winners of the 2018 Next Generation Leaders Awards -- presented in partnership with Multichannel News – will be honored Oct. 17 at the 32nd Annual NAMIC Conference in New York.

“We are excited to acknowledge and celebrate our industry’s innovative and inspiring leaders,” said Joiava Philpott, vice president, Regulatory Affairs, Law & Policy Department, Cox Communications and chairperson of the NAMIC Board in a statement. “Their remarkable achievements and dedication empower the workplace and our diverse communities."  

David Porter will step down as executive director of The Walter Kaitz Foundation effective April 13, the diversity organization announced Friday.

Longtime Kaitz executive and deputy executive director Michelle Ray will serve as interim executive director upon Porter’s departure, according to Kaitz.

Porter joined Kaitz in August 2006 and during his tenure raised more than $20 million – mostly through the organization’s annual autumn fundraising dinner -- to fuel cable industry initiatives implemented by the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), and the Emma L. Bowen Foundation.

READ MORE: Diddy Uses Kaitz Moment For Diversity Message

Under Porter’s leadership, Kaitz has also pioneered bi-annual industry-wide surveys -- conducted jointly with WICT and NAMIC -- to identify and track diversity within the industry’s employment ranks. Here is a link to a story about the 2017 survey results.

"Under David's leadership, the Walter Kaitz Foundation has reached new and sustained levels of achievement, becoming the bedrock for efforts across our industry to enhance and embrace diversity as a core operating principle," said NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell in a statement. "David's leadership has brought out the best in us, in our efforts to shape our industry into a national leader on diversity and inclusion. His passion for, and commitment to, this work is unsurpassed. We will miss his vision and presence, and we wish him all the best in future endeavors."

NAMIC said after analyzing the 2017 NAMIC/WICT Cable Telecommunications Industry Workforce Diversity Survey it had determined the 2017 top companies in the industry for people of color. The Walter Kaitz Foundation funded the survey, by Mercer. Twenty-four organizations completed the survey, representing about 67.5% of the cable telecommunications industry workforce, NAMIC said. 

The survey captured organizational workforce demographics, diversity practices, non-traditional employee benefits, and other indicators of commitment to diversity and inclusion, NAMIC said. The survey also gathered information that enabled the creation of industry-wide Internal Labor Market (ILM) maps showing workforce dynamics – hires, promotions and retention – of people of color in the industry. These data were then used to generate projections of which strategies over the next five years potentially may have significant impact on the career trajectories of the targeted groups, per a NAMIC press release.

Alphabetically (not in ranking order) the companies cited by NAMIC as best in class are:

--Charter Communications, Comcast Corp., Cox Communications, Mediacom Communications and Midco Communications from the operator ranks.

--A+E Television Networks, Discovery Communications, Disney | ABC Television Group, NBCUniversal and Univision Communications among programmers.

RELATED: WICT, NAMIC Surveys Show Women, People of Color Make Gains in Workplace

“NAMIC congratulates each honoree designated as a Top Company for People of Color,” NAMIC president and CEO Eglon E. Simons said in the release. “The successful diversity and inclusion efforts of this group of operators and programmers help to strengthen at its core an industry in a state of constant change and reinvention.  At every organizational level, from call centers to creative teams to Board rooms, these Top Companies for People of Color grasp just how necessary a rich diversity of cultural perspectives is for harnessing innovation and for thriving amidst disruption.”

"Launched in 1999 as 'A Look Toward Advancement: Multi-ethnic Employment in the Communications Industry,' NAMIC’s initial employment survey offered a baseline of statistics and perceptions about the state of multi-ethnic diversity in the cable communications industry," NAMIC said. "Renamed 'The NAMIC AIM' (Advancement Investment Measurement) in 2011, the report continues to provide rich data utilized by companies to support goals for building and sustaining a robust pipeline of multi-ethnic talent."

While cable is making positive strides with regard to hiring women and people of color for executive positions, an increase in the employee turnover rate – with many employees migrating to OTT and new media companies – must be addressed to keep future leaders within the industry, executives said during a Town Hall meeting Tuesday morning in New York. 

The Town Hall session featured the unveiling of the Women in Cable Telecommunications's PAR Cable Telecommunications Industry Diversity Survey and and the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications’s AIM (Advancement Investment Measurement) Workforce Study, which revealed increased percentages of women and people of color in executive positions since the last surveys in 2015.

Executives speaking at the Town Hall meeting said the challenge will be to continue those gains within an industry that’s also focused on evolving to better serve its customers and remain competitive against digital companies.

RELATED: WICT, NAMIC Surveys: Women, People of Color Make Gains at Senior Management, Executive Level

“In that [competitive] space there’s a lot of distraction, so making sure that we maintain diversity and inclusion in the forefront so we don’t experience slippage in our progress is a challenge,” ESPN vice president of diversity, inclusion and wellness Monica Diaz said. “The key is to make it part of the disruption that we want to get done.”

Comcast senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer David Cohen added that extending the commitment to diversity and inclusion beyond the human resources department and into a company’s full business operations is critical for success.

“When you define diversity that widely, it's actually easier to get executive and employee buy-in to the value of diversity as a business imperative,” Cohen said.

Related: New York Backs TV Production Tax Break for Hiring Diverse Writers, Directors

To attract and retain talent, Cox Communications executive vice president and chief human resources officer Karen Bennett said it's important for companies to positively project an image of inclusiveness for current and prospective employees to see.

“A lot of this starts with putting your image out there of who you are and then representing that to those who have joined the company so that they stay,” Bennett said.

Cohen added that millennials in particular value diversity and will be drawn more toward companies that foster inclusion and diversity.

“We are more diverse than Silicon Valley and the tech industry, and that gives us a competitive advantage in attracting millennials who would otherwise be inclined to go to tech companies.,” he said.

Related: Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative Paves Way for Women and Minority Directors

Once they get women and people of color in the door, the industry has struggled to keep them within the cable ranks. The turnover rate for women is higher than for men at all levels, while the turnover rate for people of color is higher than their white counterparts, according to the WICT and NAMIC surveys.

Yet Adria Alpert Romm, chief HR and global diversity officer at Discovery Communications, said that even if women and people of color leave the industry, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t return at some point in their careers.

“If we do a great job of bringing talent into our expanded cable industry, and then they’re picked off by the Facebooks of the world, I don’t think that’s bad,” said Romm. “I think the key thing is that everyone – Hulu, Facebook, Netflix, etc. – learn from the cable industry and bring diversity into those organizations. Then the flow of candidates will move [back and forth], which is good for the industry.”

Related: NAMIC’s Annual Awards Now a Rite of Fall

Several executives pointed to the low number of companies actually participating in the PAR and AIM surveys. Only 24 of 80 companies contacted actually partook in the surveys, although that number represented some 67.5% of the total cable workforce.

“[The survey findings] are probably the result of a few [cable companies] that are carrying the perspective or perception of stronger diversity than there might actually be,” said Rhonda Crichlow, senior vice president and chief diversity officer for Charter Communications. “I can’t understand why the participation rate is so low… From my perspective as an industry, we might have more work to do in terms of helping people understand the importance of the work we want to do in terms of diversity and inclusion.”

NEW YORK — This year, National Asssociation for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications will do lunch with its 2017 class of Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries.

NAMIC’s Annual Awards Breakfast, long a staple of the now-defunct INTX trade show, is now the NAMIC Awards Luncheon and will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, during the 31st Annual NAMIC Conference at the New York Marriott Marquis from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Related: PAR, AIM Surveys Highlight Diversity Week

The Next Generation Leaders Awards, presented in partnership with Multichannel News, recognize four emerging business leaders of color in in the media and entertainment industry for their career successes and commitment to fostering diversity in the workplace. Ten additional emerging executives of color will be honored in NAMIC’s 2017 Luminaries class.

NEXT GENERATION LEADERS

LINDA PAN
Senior VP, New Digital Business AMC Networks

Linda Pan oversees the development and growth of new direct-to-consumer subscription streaming video services, including Sundance Now and horror service Shudder, where she is general manager.

Pan joined AMC Networks in 2013, arriving from Feeln, where she was vice president of business strategy and operations, as well as chief of staff. Prior to her time at Feeln, Pan worked at Netflix and MRC Studios.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University, her master’s in electrical engineering from Stanford University, and her MBA from Harvard Business School.

“I am enormously proud to receive this honor from NAMIC, whose efforts around diversity are so important,” she said. “At a time when the entertainment industry is evolving, NAMIC’s work is more crucial than ever to ensure opportunities and inclusion for people of all backgrounds.”

EBONNE L. RUFFINS
Vice President, Local Media Development, Comcast

Ebonne L. Ruffins oversees a suite of technologies and programming to advance Comcast’s local reach, relationships, and business advantage. The Local Media Development portfolio includes: public, educational, and governmental (PEG) programming; the EveryBlock platform; Comcast Newsmakers; and the award-winning commemorative programming initiative, Voices of the Civil Rights Movement.

Before joining Comcast’s LMD team in 2016, Ruffins led Comcast’s diversity media communications, spanning national diversity advertising; national surveys; and executive consulting. In that role, she developed Comcast’s first mandatory diversity training module; launched Comcast NBCUniversal’s public diversity report and digital platform; and produced Comcast’s first Diversity Summit.

Prior to joining Comcast in 2011, Ruffins was an English and Spanish producer for CNN’s award-winning platform, CNN Heroes; an on-air reporter for CBS affiliate WCAX in Burlington, Vt.; a reporter/contributor for National Public Radio station WAMU in Washington, D.C., and a CNN Fellow and contributor, also in Washington.

“To be recognized by NAMIC, a leading voice for multi-ethnicity in the communications industry, is a special honor that I share with my Comcast family. I am privileged to work for a company that so proudly validates, celebrates, and actively demonstrates diversity and inclusion.”

ROMINA ROSADO
Senior VP Content and Editor in Chief, E! News

Romina Rosado is an experienced content professional versed in creating content, building an audience and driving monetization across In her current role, she oversees all content, news gathering, audience development and programming for E! News. She also oversees the creation of content-first, revenue-generating programs and works with the NBCUniversal sales organization to develop new ways to monetize and develop branded content.

Earlier in her career, she advised some of the world’s leading brands and government agencies on their digital strategies, including Adidas, General Motors, NATO, the World Bank, the U.S. State Department and UNICEF, and was a consultant to the European Central Bank ahead of the introduction of the Euro.

A truly global thinker, Rosado is trilingual and has worked in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be recognized by NAMIC. Diversity — in all its forms — is no longer just the ‘nice’ thing to do, it is an imperative for organizations that want to succeed, and I am proud to work for Comcast/NBCUniversal, a trailblazer in giving minorities a seat at the table.”

DANIEL EILEMBERG
President, Fusion TV

Daniel Eilemberg is a journalist, producer and new media entrepreneur working in digital media, publishing, film and television. As president of Fusion TV, he oversees programming and operations for the cable network.

Prior to his current role, he served as chief digital officer, overseeing Fusion’s digital news operation.

Fusion TV is a part of the Fusion Media Group (FMG), which also includes such web original media brands as Gizmodo, Deadspin, Jezebel, Jalopnik, Kotaku, Lifehacker, Splinter, The Root, The Onion, The A.V. Club, and Clickhole, as well as FMG’s content development and production unit Story House Entertainment.

Eilemberg is founder and chairman of Animal Politico, Mexico’s leading political news platform and Pajaro Politico, the first news platform to launch exclusively on Twitter in Mexico.

He is the founder and managing director of the ABC Fellows program, and a 2014 visiting Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

LUMINARIES

CHARLOTTE CASTILLO
Senior Vice President, International Brand Management & Creative, NVCP/VIMN

A 12-year veteran of Viacom, Charlotte Castillo manages the strategic development, planning and creative direction for Viacom International Media Networks’s licensed intellectual property. She leads a team of 35 people around the world. Prior to Viacom, Charlotte was marketing and creative services director at Latina magazine, where she developed trade and consumer marketing initiatives, drove strategic partnerships with major Latino and women’s organizations, and spearheaded advertising/sponsorship- based relationships with companies including Chevrolet, Unilever and L’Oreal.

MIGUEL SANTOS
General Manager, Myx TV

Miguel Santos, of the multicultural Asian-American entertainment network Myx TV, has 14-plus years of experience leading international broadcast media companies. Santos evolved Myx TV from a linear, music-based channel into a multiplatform entertainment network. Santos started his career with MTV Networks Asia, quickly rising up the ranks to be one of the heads of production and on-air promotions.

JANET HAN VISSERING
Senior Vice President of Development and Production, Nat Geo Wild

Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year globally. Vissering manages Nat Geo Wild’s development team, working with the world’s leading independent producers, distributors, creative agencies and strategic broadcast partners to create the network’s signature series, specials and events. She also provides daily oversight of production to ensure creative continuity and that all network programming objectives are being met.

NAVIN KAMATH
Vice President of Account Management, Global Distribution, HBO

Navin Kamath is responsible for the strategic account management of several of HBO’s streaming subscriber and transactional partners. He oversees relationships with prominent digital accounts including Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Samsung, Roku and Fandango NOW. Kamath has helped launch both HBO Now and HBO Go on various platforms, devices, affiliate portals and applications. Kamath has worked in various capacities at HBO since 2006, managing HBO On Demand, Cinemax On Demand and affiliate online marketing.

HOLLY TANG
Chief Financial Officer, Bravo and Oxygen Media

Holly Tang is responsible for Bravo and Oxygen Media’s financial oversight including the development of strategic and long-range plans. She identifies growth drivers and new revenue streams for the networks as well as plays a vital role in defining and building strategic initiatives. Based in New York, she reports to Frances Berwick, president, lifestyle metworks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Prior to joining Bravo, Tang was director of finance at Comedy Central, overseeing general accounting operations and budgets for programming, marketing, digital media and all ancillary businesses. Previously she held various positions at MTV Networks.

P. SEAN GUPTA
Vice President of Strategy and Operations, BET Networks

At BET Networks, P. Sean Gupta is responsible for programming and network level strategy and growth initiatives that involve researching, analyzing and building strategic recommendations on everything from program launches, growth areas, to delivery of content on multiple platforms. Prior to Viacom, Gupta was a senior director managing business development and business affairs for Time Warner Cable’s advertising division, TWC Media. Before TWC, Sean was an investment banker at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street for six and a half years.

SAMEEL OSURI
Senior VP, Global Content Operations, Discovery Communications

A 14-year Discovery veteran, Sameel Osuri has a wide range of experience across Discovery’s corporate, U.S. Networks and International divisions. He currently is responsible for content-related data, systems and financial analysis worldwide. Prior roles for Discovery include: CFO for the Discovery Channel Group, Domestic Distribution and Discovery Education; VP of finance for the U.S. division’s advertising-sales team; financial planning director for the International division’s global content team; and in corporate finance.

STEPHANIE JACKSON
Vice President, Ad Sales, Western Region, Scripps Networks Interactive

Stephanie Jackson is responsible for overseeing the strategic national sales initiatives for TV and online at Food Network and Cooking Channel. Jackon’s role also requires her to develop strategic marketing partnerships to meet her client’s needs. Prior to her role managing the Food Network’s Los Angeles sales team, Jackson spent 10 years as a senior salesperson responsible for driving sales revenue. Earlier, Jackson worked in radio advertising sales for ABC Radio Networks under the Radio Disney brand.

TONY SONG
Vice President, Ad Sales & Partnerships, AMC Networks

At AMC Networks and its properties AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv, Tony Song oversees all advertiser and marketer spending, helps set revenue projections and guides all negotiations for all WE tv and IFC media assets, including linear, advanced platform/digital, events and branded content. He initiates and implements AMC Networks’s upfront and scatter tactics team, leveraging all networks. He also serves as one of two key strategists directing the day-to-day operations of his department and is crucial in gaining new business and growing current business. Previously, he was director of East Coast national media sales for BET Networks.

TWYLA HUANG-DISIMONE
Vice President, News Content Partnerships, Turner Ignite

Twyla Huang-DiSimone is responsible for harnessing the strength of Turner’s news brands to develop creative and innovative solutions for advertising partners. She is also responsible for developing brand positioning and a powerful voice in the marketplace for each of Turner’s multiplatform news brands: CNN, HLN and Great Big Story. Prior to joining the company in January 2015, Twyla held a number of leadership positions at both established and startup media companies, such as Advance Publications, Style Coalition, Condé Nast Digital and XO Group.

The unveiling of WICT and NAMIC’s biannual diversity employment survey for the cable industry highlights the industry’s annual Diversity Week festivities kicking off today (Sept. 25).

The week’s festivities — which will include Women in Cable Telecommunications’ daylong Leadership Conference and Touchstones Luncheon today, the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications’ s 31st Annual Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the annual Walter Kaitz Foundation fundraising dinner Wednesday evening — will be highlighted by a Tuesday morning Town Hall announcing the results of WICT’s PAR Cable Telecommunications Industry Diversity Survey and NAMIC’s AIM (Advancement Investment Measurement) AIM-PAR Workforce Survey. That research is geared to help companies determine the factors that influence the industry’s ability to recruit, retain and advance its workforce.

Related:NAMIC’s Annual Awards Now a Rite of Fall

Diversity advocates are hoping to build on results in the last report in 2015 that indicated modest increases for females and people of color in executives and senior-level managers, but declines in the number of full time female employees and promotion rates for people of color compared to the 2013 NAMIC AIM report.

Other key Diversity Week events include:

WICT Leadership Conference
Journalist and author Katie Couric will open the annual WICT Leadership Conference, which will feature as its theme “Level Up. Focus Forward,” WICT president and CEO Maria Brennan said.

“We’ve seen so much of the industry evolving over the last two or three years, and part of that evolution is ensuring that the women inside of our universe remain focused,” Brennan said. “We want to make sure women continue to advance, that they are leveling up and they are focusing forward for the good of themselves as well as the good of their organization and the industry.”

Actress, producer and director Trudie Styler will deliver keynote remarks at the organization’s Touchstones Luncheon, which will honor the 2017 Women of the Year, BBC America president and general manager Sarah Barnett and Comcast executive vice president and chief communications officer D’Arcy Rudnay.

Gretchen Carlson, the TV journalist and women’s empowerment advocate, will open the second day of the conference with a keynote based on her new book, Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back. The conference will conclude with the WICT’s “Pearls of Wisdom” series of mini-keynotes.

31st Annual NAMIC Conference
The theme for NAMIC’s annual conference is “Diversity at the Speed of Change,” which reflects and captures the rapid innovation and change that has been going on in the cable business, according to NAMIC president Eglon Simons.

“While we look at all the different changes and things that are going on within the industry, we can talk about diversity, advocacy and inclusion because that never goes away,” he said. “The conference brings a confluence of people — young and old — that must have their appetites and their knowledge expanded.”

Veteran journalist John Quiñones, host of What Would You Do?, will serve as the keynote speaker for the two-day conference, which will be highlighted by an impressive roster of industry business leaders and experts.

The conference will culminate with NAMIC Awards Luncheon, which will feature the organization’s 2017 Next Generation Leaders Awards. Also during the luncheon NAMIC will honor U.S. Tennis Association CEO and president Katrina Adams with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award.

The Walter Kaitz Foundation Dinner
The 34th annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Dinner, which helps fund diversity-themed programs and organizations within the cable industry, will look to best last year’s fundraising mark of more than $1.7 million. To keep things lively, the dinner will feature appearances by Sean “P Diddy” Combs and Insecure co-star Yvonne Orji, according to foundation officials.

HBO will be honored as the foundation’s Diversity Champion, an award given to organizations that act as catalysts for diversity throughout the cable industry.

Girls Who Code will receive the Diversity Advocate Award, presented to an organization outside of the cable industry that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity.

NAMIC has tapped four cable executives for its annual Next Generation Leaders Awards, the diversity organization announced Tuesday.

The awards, which recognize emerging business leaders of color in the media and entertainment industry for their career successes and commitment to fostering diversity in the workplace, will be presented to Ebonne Ruffins, vice president of local media development for Comcast Cable in the Cable MSO category; Daniel Eilemberg, president and chief content officer for Fusion TV (Cable Programmer); Linda Pan, senior vice president of new digital business for AMC Networks (Tech Company/Discipline) and Romina Rosado, senior vice president and editor-in-chief, E! News & Online, NBC Universal (Creative Discipline).

The executives will be honored at the 31st NAMIC Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on Sept. 27 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

In addition to honoring the four Next Generation Leaders, NAMIC will also honor during the luncheon 10 emerging executives of color in its 2017 Luminaries Class. The honorees include Charlotte Castillo, SVP, International Brand Management & Creative, Viacom International Media Networks; Twyla Huang-DiSimone, VP, News Content Partnerships, Turner Ignite, Turner; P. Sean Gupta, VP, Strategy and Operations, BET Networks; Navin Kamath, VP, Account Management, Global Distribution, HBO; Stephanie Jackson, VP, Ad Sales, Western Region, Food Network & Cooking Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive; Sameel Osuri, SVP, Global Content Operations, Discovery Communications; Miguel Santos, General Manager, Myx TV; Tony Song, VP, Ad Sales, AMC Networks; Holly Tang, Chief Financial Officer, Bravo and Oxygen Media, NBCUniversal; and Janet Han Vissering, SVP, Development & Production, Nat Geo WILD.

“Cultural diversity is an imperative in the communications industry and this year’s class of Next Generation Leaders are steadfast advocates for inclusion in the workplace,” said NAMIC President and CEO Eglon E. Simons in a statement. “They personify excellence, empower and educate others, and most important, serve as beacons for those who will follow in their footsteps. We are grateful for the industry’s ongoing support and look forward to celebrating the honorees at this year’s awards luncheon.”

The Walter Kaitz Foundation will honor HBO and nonprofit organization Girls Who Code during its 34th annual Fundraising Dinner on Sept. 27, the company announced Monday.

HBO will be honored as a 2017 Diversity Champion, an award given to organizations that act as catalysts for diversity throughout the cable industry, while its Diversity Advocate award will go to Girls Who Code, a group dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology by providing girls with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities, according to Kaitz. 

“Since its founding, HBO has cultivated an environment that values divergent voices, encourages innovative thinking and expression, and rewards both individual and collective accomplishments,” said David Porter, executive director of the Kaitz Foundation in a statement. “Girls Who Code is a 21st century organization that is harnessing technology and making it real and usable for girls. The young women trained here will be instrumental in helping us to continue to revolutionize our industry.”   

Pat Esser, president, Cox Communications, and Ken Lowe, chairman, president & CEO, Scripps Networks Interactive, will serve as dinner co-chairs for the dinner, which will be held in New York City . Other executives sitting on the dinner committee include Rocco Commisso, chairman and CEO, Mediacom Communications Corp.; Nancy Dubuc, president & CEO, A&E Networks; John Evans, chairman & CEO, Evans Telecommunications Company; Peter Rice, chairman & CEO, Fox Networks Group; Richard Sjoberg, president & CEO, Sjoberg’s, Inc.; Robert Stanzione, executive chairman, ARRIS; and David Zaslav, president & CEO, Discovery Communications. 

Funds raised during the dinner will help support the programs and initiatives for three key industry organizations, including the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

HBO garnered more 2017 NAMIC Vision Awards nominations than any other television network, The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) announced Wednesday night.

HBO drew 12 NAMIC Vision Awards nominations, which honor original and digital programming content that depicts the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color, said the diversity organization. ESPN and BET Networks drew eight Vision Awards nominations, while History Channel, CNN, ABC, ABS-CBN International, Discovery Latin America, Disney Junior, Food Network, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, Starz, TV One, VH1 and Viceland all garnered multiple nominations, according to NAMIC.

Nominations for the 2017 NAMIC Vision Awards were announced as part of the Hollywood Creative Forum 8.0 VIP Reception hosted by The Walter Kaitz Foundation.

"NAMIC is honored to continue the tradition of honoring original content that defies stereotypes, while telling compelling stories of cultural diversity and life experiences," said Eglon Simons, president and CEO, NAMIC in a statement. “This year's nominees must be applauded for their excellence and commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion on and off screen."

The 2017 NAMIC Vision Awards Nominees are as follows:

Animation

Doc McStuffins - Disney Junior

Miles from Tomorrowland - Disney Junior

Sanjay and Craig - Nickelodeon

Sofia the First - Disney Junior

The Loud House - Nickelodeon

Awards & Honors

47th NAACP Image Awards - TV One

BET Awards 2016 - BET Networks

Black Girls Rock! - BET Networks

Dear Mama - VH1

Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens - VH1

Trailblazers Honors - Logo

Best Performance – Comedy

Don Cheadle: House of Lies - Showtime

Issa Rae: Insecure - HBO

RonReaco Lee: Survivor’s Remorse - Starz

Teyonah Paris: Survivor’s Remorse - Starz

Tichina Arnold: Survivor’s Remorse  - Starz

Best Performance - Drama

Anika Noni Rose: Roots - History Channel

Forest Whitaker: Roots - History Channel

Gabrielle Union: Being Mary Jane - BET Networks

Kerry Washington: Confirmation - HBO

Malachi Kirby: Roots - History Channel

Malik Yoba: Bad Dad Rehab - TV One

Regé-Jean Page: Roots - History Channel

Children's

All in with Cam Newton - Nickelodeon

Game Shakers - Nickelodeon

Nina’s World - Sprout

Sesame Street - HBO

Stuck in the Middle - Disney Channel

Comedy

Ballers - HBO

black-ish - ABC

Fluffy Breaks Even - Fuse

Insecure - HBO

Survivor’s Remorse - Starz

Daytime

SuperSoul Sunday - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

The Talk - CBS

Digital Media - Short Form

Change Agents: History in the Making - TV One

Harlem on My Plate - Powerhouse Productions

One Heritage, Two Generations: Amelia Morán Ceja and Dalia Ceja - NBC Latino

This is Birth with Lisa Ling - CNN

Voices - NBC Asian America

Documentary

Eyes on the Prize Then and Now: A WORLD Channel Special -  World Channel

Fault Lines: The Lives of Black Women - Al Jazeera English

Roots: A New Vision - History Channel

Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four - Investigation Discovery

We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World - CNN

Drama

Being Mary Jane - BET Networks

East Los High - Hulu

Grey’s Anatomy - ABC

How to Get Away With Murder - ABC

Secret and Lies - ABC

Foreign Language

Pancho Villa: Se Busca Vivo o Muerto - Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic

Texas Trocas - Discovery Networks - Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic

Lifestyle

Ayesha’s Homemade - Food Network

Design + Story - ABS-CBN International

Patti LaBelle’s Holiday Pies - Cooking Channel

Smollett Eats - Food Network

Special Projects: Breakthrough Women - CNN

Spice to Life - ABS-CBN International

News/Informational

Arab and Queer: Lebanese Singer Pushes Boundaries - NBC Out

BA Election Day Coverage 2016 - ABS-CBN International

NewsOne Now with Roland Martin - TV One

Special Projects: Impact Your World - CNN

Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement - BET Networks

The Story of God with Morgan Freeman - National Geographic

Original Movie or Special

All the Way - HBO

BET Presents Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration - BET Networks

Black Girls Rock! - BET Networks

Rock the Runway - ABS-CBN International

Special Projects: Amalgam Comics - CNN

Reality

Black Market with Michael K. Williams - VICELAND

SC Featured: Chubbtown - ESPN

SC Featured: Inky Johnson - ESPN

SportsCenter: Mother of Hampton Lacrosse - ESPN

Sunday NFL Countdown: Jarrius Robertson - ESPN

Reality - Social Issues

E:60 American - ESPN

Gaycation with Ellen Page - VICELAND

Rise Up: A SportsCenter Special - ESPN

Vice News Tonight - HBO

Vice: “Viva Cuba Libre” - HBO

Sports

E:60 Mike Evans - ESPN

SC Featured: The Meaning of Miyah - ESPN

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel - HBO

Terrance Crawford: My Fight - HBO

VICE World of Sports - VICELAND

Variety/Talk Show   

All Def Comedy - HBO

Being: Brandy - BET Networks

Lemonade - HBO

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson -  National Geographic

VH1 Live! - VH1

Get complete coverage of #INTX2016.

The National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications honored its Next Generation Leaders and Luminaries during its annual awards breakfast at the INTX show Wednesday morning, which also featured a trailer for History’s Roots reboot.

NAMIC recognized four Next Generation Leaders — emerging executives of color under the age of 45 who exemplify NAMIC’s mission of education, advocacy and empowerment to foster multiethnic diversity and inclusion in the cable industry — as well as 10 Luminaries who have demonstrated a high level of business acumen while fostering diversity and inclusion.

“They are trendsetters, thought leaders and change agents,” NAMIC president Eglon Simons said of the honorees. “They are spreading NAMIC’s vision for advocacy within their organizations.”

The diversity organization also honored Noticiero Univision anchor Maria Elena Salinas with the organization’s 2016 Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, given to an executive for their lifelong advocacy in social justice and equality for people around the world. Salinas said in her acceptance speech that as a member of the Spanish-language media, she felt a responsibility to go beyond the headlines in reporting the news.

“I always believed that there would have to be a social service component to our job,” Salinas said. “ After all, we do serve an audience that has additional needs and a community that depends on us for information that will help make their lives more manageable."

Actor LeVar Burton also addressed breakfast attendees as an executive producer of History’s eight-hour miniseries reboot of Alex Haley’s 1970s miniseries Roots about the journey of an African-American family through slavery.

Burton, who starred as Kunta Kinte in the original Roots, said he was at first skeptical of History’s plans to remake the classic 1970s miniseries, but was won over after Mark Wolper -- the son of original Roots executive producer David Wolper -- said that the nearly 40 year-old miniseries didn’t speak to his kids when they watched it.

“It is a reality that there is an entire generation of Americans who do not know this very important story,” Burton said.

BOSTON — The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications will recognize four executives at this week’s INTX: The Internet & Television Expo in Boston as Next Generation Leaders for 2016.

The Next Generation Leaders Awards, presented in partnership with Multichannel News, will honor emerging executives of color under the age of 45 for demonstrating exceptional business acumen and for exemplifying NAMIC’s mission of education, advocacy and empowerment to foster multiethnic diversity and inclusion in the cable industry.

Winners were selected from a distinguished group of nominees in four categories: Programmer, Technology, Creative and MSO.

NAMIC will also honor 10 Luminaries, a group of emerging executives who have demonstrated a high level of business acumen while fostering diversity and inclusion.

“NAMIC applauds this distinguished group of executives who are making innovative and strategic contributions within their companies while exemplifying NAMIC’s mission to educate, advocate and empower for the advancement of diversity and inclusion,” NAMIC president and CEO Eglon E. Simons said. “We appreciate and welcome the industry’s continued support as we celebrate diversity and the accomplishments of these emerging business leaders at this year’s Annual Awards Breakfast.”

The Leaders and Luminaries will be honored at the NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast, set for Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center as part of the day’s INTX activities.

NEXT GENERATION LEADERS

PROGRAMMER

Urvashi Shivdasani
Senior Vice President of Finance
Discovery Networks International

Urvashi Shivdasani is senior vice president of finance for Discovery Networks International. With more than 18 years of financial management and leadership experience, Shivdasani is a global leader and an inspiration in her field.

She was previously the chief financial officer of Discovery Channel and TLC, and prior to that, served as the vice president of financial planning and analysis for Discovery’s Digital Media , Ecommerce and Education divisions.

Shivdasani, who holds an MBA in Corporate Finance from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College in India, has used her expertise to partner on strategy to drive growth while managing cost and operational alignment.

“It’s an honor to be named among such esteemed company as one of NAMIC’s Next Generation Leaders,” Shivdasani said. “I look forward to continuing to empower and motivate tomorrow’s leaders and champion diversity in the industry and beyond.”

TECHNOLOGY

Sean Cohan
President of International and Digital Media
A+E Networks

Sean Cohan, A+E Network’s president of International and Digital Media, oversees the company’s brands, content and services outside the United States, helping expand the company’s global footprint. A+E Networks operates 85 branded channel feeds abroad, reaching more than 335 million homes in over 200 territories.

Cohan also manages A+E Networks’ Digital Media, including all strategic, operational, editorial and distribution functions for the company’s digital efforts around the world.

He has also built a top factual content sales and formats organization; driven co-productions such as World Wars and Barbarians and acclaimed local versions for Seven Year Switch, 60 Days In, Pawn Stars and Dance Moms; launched a global television movie distribution unit in the market and a drama distribution effort, with critically acclaimed events such as Lifetime’s Unreal and History’s highly anticipated Roots.

“I am an extremely proud honoree. Being recognized speaks to the great team and empowering, inclusive environment we have built at A+E Networks,” Cohan said. “As a leader my No. 1 role is to recruit, motivate and grow great people, and help maintain a culture of excellence, accountability, learning and fun.”

CREATIVE DISCIPLINE

Detavio Samuels
President
One Solution and Interactive One

Detavio Samuels is president of Radio One’s One Solution and Interactive One initiatives. Reporting directly to Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins, Samuels is responsible for pursuing growth opportunities across the company’s multiplatform portfolio through new and existing brand partnerships and branded content.

Samuels oversees One Solution, the company’s cross-platform sales and integrated marketing group that works with brands and agencies to create campaigns and initiatives across television, radio, interactive, social media and live events.

In 2015, he launched OneX, a new branded content studio that harnesses black culture to ignite brands through the creation of content that can thrive across multichannel environments. This includes identifying and creating premium content and native advertising opportunities to be distributed by Radio One’s platforms.

In December 2015, Samuels added president of Interactive One to his responsibilities. The division reaches millions of African-Americans through social content, news, information, and entertainment.

“I believe leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work,” Samuels said. “Consequently I am honored and thankful for NAMIC, which is leading the way when it comes to recognizing and celebrating those who are leveraging the platforms they’ve been gifted to do amazing things with amazing people from diverse backgrounds.”

CABLE MSO

Bobby Amirshahi
Vice President, Public Relations
Time Warner Cable

As Time Warner Cable’s vice president of public relations, Bobby Amirshahi serves as a senior spokesperson and oversees the corporate team of PR professionals responsible for promoting the company’s broadband-powered consumer services, as well as TWC’s fast-growing commercial services division. Amirshahi also leads financial-related media relations, CSR-related communications and coordinates with TWC’s Washington, D.C., government affairs office.

He previously served as the head of communications for TWC’s flagship cable system in New York City.

Before joining Time Warner Cable in 2011, he held numerous roles at Cox Enterprises in Atlanta and, before that, led West Coast publicity for Viacom’s Comedy Central and Spike brands.

Amirshahi is a former board member of the Association of Cable Communicators and is currently a member of the Public Relations Society of America. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

“I’m very proud to be part of the continuing efforts led by NAMIC to expand our understanding of multiculturalism in our society and in our companies,” Amirshahi said. “I believe that we are at our best when we encourage each other to be vocal advocates for the inclusion of talented and prepared diverse professionals as agents of change in our vibrant, dynamic companies.”

LUMINARIES

Fabienne Clermont
Vice President, Legal Affairs
Discovery Communications

Fabienne Clermont, vice president of legal affairs at Discovery Communications, provides legal support to the company on all matters related to U.S. employment law.

Clermont, a 10-year Discovery veteran, also spearheads global employee compliance efforts across the company’s international network of offices. This role has recently grown to include oversight of Discovery’s global Code of Ethics training program.

Clermont is chairperson of Discovery’s Women’s Leadership Network, an employee resource group supporting development and networking for women.

Prior to Discovery, Clermont served as assistant general counsel at AOL in Dulles , Va. She began her career at the law firm of Arent Fox in Washington, D.C.

Clermont received a bachelor’s degree from University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. She currently lives in Chevy Chase, Md., with her husband and two children.

“I am so appreciative that NAMIC has chosen to recognize me for this honor as it further affirms my mission to support diversity and inclusion in both my company and the community,” Clermont said. “NAMIC’s efforts to foster and drive diversity in our industry should guide us collectively in our daily efforts to advance diversity in our own companies.”

Boris Gartner
Chief Strategy Officer
Fusion

Fusion chief strategy officer Boris Gartner leads corporate strategy, business development and global revenue for the company. He has been a driving force in developing strategies to reach a young multicultural audience, create new sustainable business models, and find ways to use the reach and influence of the company’s platforms to empower and create positive social change.

Gartner was part of the team that launched Fusion, then a joint venture between Univision Communications and Disney/ABC Television Group. The multiplatform media company serves a young and diverse millennial audience, reaching more than 27 million viewers every month across television, digital and social platforms.

Gartner holds an advanced management degree in media and entertainment from IESE Business School, an advanced project management degree from Stanford University, a master’s degree in international business from Florida International University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia.

“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside a group that shares an appreciation for the true power of diversity,” Gartner said. “The demographic shifts happening in this country are a key reason Fusion exists. We’re committed to elevating diverse, underrepresented voices through the stories we tell and the people who bring them to life.”

Meghan Hooper White
Vice President, Program Acquisitions
Lifetime Networks

Meghan Hooper White, vice president of program acquisitions for Lifetime Networks since 2011, oversees development and production of original “pre-buy” films, co-productions and program acquisitions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network.

Hooper White has spearheaded a number of films, including A Deadly Adoption, Seasons of Love and Mother, May I Sleep With Danger.

Before Lifetime, Hooper White was director of program acquisitions for NBCUniversal, where she managed acquisitions and program inventory for USA Network. From 2005 to 2007, she was director of development at Just Singer Entertainment, working on such projects as Disney Channel’s Return to Halloweentown.

Hooper White began her career at entertainment and sports agency Creative Arts Agency before joining Disney Channel, where she oversaw script coordination for such hits as High School Musical and Twitches.

Hooper White earned a bachelor’s of science in speech, graduating with honors in communication studies with a minor in psychology, from Northwestern University.

“I am honored, and humbled, to be recognized by NAMIC, an organization that I deeply respect,” White said. “As a member of the creative community, I feel it is my duty to make sure the conversation surrounding diversity is not just a conversation, but a practice.”

Marisol Martinez
Vice President, Marketing Acquisition and CRM
Time Warner Cable

Marisol Martinez is responsible for driving the marketing strategy for all of the company’s multicultural segment marketing, as well as its Movers Program, Bulk MDU and Verizon Wireless partnership across the MSO’s footprint.

With more than 15 years of marketing and agency client relations experience, Martinez is experienced in developing integrated marketing communications and in product positioning and planning.

In 2013, Martinez was named “Multicultural Maven” by Hispanic Executive Magazine. In 2011, she was recognized as one of Multichannel News’s 40 Under 40 and was listed among the most influential minorities in cable by Cablefax: The Magazine.

Prior to joining TWC, Martinez held marketing positions at Unilever and Verizon Communications. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and a master’s degree in from Columbia University.

“I feel extremely grateful and humble to have been named a 2016 Luminary. Being recognized as one of the industry’s bright and shining stars represents an amazing honor,” Martinez said. “I’m tremendously thankful to NAMIC for creating a platform that promotes the accomplishments of diverse and talented professionals in our field.”

Valerie Meraz
Vice President of Content Acquisitions
Turner

Valerie Meraz is vice president of content acquisitions for Turner’s entertainment networks. In that role, she negotiates deals for films and off-network television series for TNT, TBS, Turner Classic Movies and truTV, as well as Cartoon Network , Adult Swim and Boomerang.

The content acquired by Meraz and her colleagues supports original programming and rebranding efforts for TNT and TBS, and currently accounts for 90% of the programming on those networks.

Meraz joined Turner after serving as vice president of content acquisitions for Showtime Networks. Prior to Showtime, Meraz held positions in Disney’s Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group and in the exhibitor services and international promotions departments at 20th Century Fox.

Meraz holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in motion picture producing from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California.

“I owe much of my achievement to the support of mentors I met while participating in NAMIC events as an undergraduate at UCLA,” Meraz said. “NAMIC provided a forum through which I made lifelong friends and met successful executives who encouraged me on my career journey.”

Oscar Ramos
General Manager
ESPN Deportes Radio
Senior Director
ESPN Deportes Content

Oscar Ramos joined ESPN in 2006 to lead ESPN Deportes Radio. Since 2012, his responsibilities expanded to include ESPN Deportes’s digital and television content.

Ramos is responsible for the operations of ESPN Deportes Radio including talent, staffing, national programming content, scheduling, and event production. Under Ramos’s leadership, ESPN Deportes Radio has expanded to 33 affiliates nationwide, reaching close to 70% of the Hispanic market.

Ramos also oversees the content and operation of ESPN Deportes’ television and digital efforts working with editorial, production and programming teams to deliver and integrate content across platforms.

Prior to joining ESPN, Ramos sent more than 15 years with ABC Radio Networks, where he focused his efforts on marketing to the Hispanic community in the United States and radio stations across the world.

“I am honored to be recognized among such a distinguished group of professionals and by NAMIC ,” Ramos said. “At ESPN, we strive to reflect the diversity of our audience across our content and I am proud of this recognition.”

Jhamal Robinson
Vice President of Production Management
TLC and Discovery Life

Jhamal Robinson serves as vice president of production management for TLC and Discovery Life. He leads the team responsible for tracking the financial, logistical and qualitative performances of TLC and Discovery Life’s production plans while ensuring that all financial policies are being met.

Specializing in scheduling and budgeting, he is also responsible for analyzing production budgets and establishing workflow processes to create a link between departments and business and legal affairs.

Prior to his current role, Robinson was head of production at Yahoo Video, Style and E!. Robinson has garnered four Emmy nominations and a 2010 Daytime Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Special Class Program.

Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree at Bethany College where he currently serves as a member of the board of trustees. He is also a member of NAMIC.

“I’m honored to be recognized with such a talented group of individuals who go to great lengths to celebrate, educate, advocate for diversity in the communications industry,” Robinson said. “I want to thank NAMIC for their commitment to ensuring the industry is inclusive of all.”

Talia Robinson
Vice President of Human Resources
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

As vice president of human resources at OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Talia Robinson serves as the primary liaison between the network and potential employees, facilitating the informational and formal interviewing process.

Robinson came to OWN from Talent Acquisition, where she was a consultant and talent acquisition specialist. While there, she oversaw local and national searches for professionals at all levels. Before that, she was vice president at PR Talent, performing national and international talent searches, as well as counseling clients on competitive salary structuring, benefits packaging and succession planning.

Robinson earned an Advanced Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College and is a member of the Los Angeles Creative Club and the Ladies Who Brunch.

“Building an inclusive and diverse workplace is a mission I am proud to take on and grateful to have such strong industry support through an organization like NAMIC, whose impact I have both personally and professionally gained so much from,” Robinson said. “I am deeply honored to be named a Luminary and to continue to support the NAMIC motto that when you embrace diversity, you embrace success.”

Theresa Vargas-Wyatt
Chief of Staff
El Rey Network

Theresa Vargas-Wyatt, El Rey Network’s chief of staff, joined the network in 2014 devising campaigns targeting the “the new mainstream,” with the goal of transforming the network into the largest, most diverse multiplatform in history.

Prior to El Rey, Vargas-Wyatt was with Muñoz & Co., where she helped grow revenue by 110% over a five-year period. Subsequently, she advised Fortune 100 brands such as Google, Target, and AT&T on market strategies targeting English-speaking Latino consumers in the United States.

In 2014, Vargas-Wyatt coordinated efforts between Mark Zuckerberg, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, Yahoo and Don Graham to establish a $36 million scholarship fund for undocumented young people.

She holds a juris doctor and master’s of business administration from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor of arts from Texas A&M University. She resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and two sons.

“At this important time in our country’s history, I’m honored to stand next to my fellow honorees who are creating and leading the narrative of our future,” Vargas - Wyatt said. “One that is innovative, accessible and most of all inclusive. I’m so happy to be on this journey with you. I cannot wait to see what we build together!”

Alaka Williams
Senior Vice President, Network Human Resources
Scripps Networks Interactive

In her role as senior vice president of network human resources at Scripps Networks Interactive, Alaka Williams , is responsible for human resources leadership of SNI’s domestic Home, Travel and Food categories.

Prior to her current role, Williams served as vice president of human resources and was responsible for providing organizational, leadership and individual performance counsel to various business units.

Williams joined Scripps Networks in 2010 after eight years with Live Nation as director of human resources and director of employee relations. She has also served as a human resources manager for Clear Channel Communications.

She is a graduate of James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and is a Certified Human Resources Professional. Williams is also involved in the Emma Bowen Foundation’s Youth and Young Professionals program and the Year Up program in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

“It is a true honor to be recognized by NAMIC, an industry-leading organization that raises the standards and goals for diversity in media and entertainment across all platforms,” Williams said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with NAMIC to champion this critical work that is necessary for all organizations in our industry.”

For 22 years, NAMIC — the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications — has recognized outstanding television and digital content about the lives and contributions of people of color through its Vision Awards. Amid controversies such as the lack of diversity among the major Oscar nominees earlier this year, NAMIC has chosen winners in 18 different categories from more than 83 nominations across 29 networks and distributors, representing the best in diversity-themed television programming.

NAMIC CEO Eglon Simons spoke with Multichannel News programming editor R. Thomas Umstead about this year’s Vision Awards honorees and the importance of celebrating the achievements of people of color both in front of and behind the camera — especially in an era with unprecedented amounts of content tailored to multicultural viewers. Here’s an edited excerpt of their conversation.

RELATED:And the Honorees Are...: 2016's Vision Award Winners

MCN:How would you define the Vision Awards?

Eglon Simons: The intent of the Vision Awards, which were created in association with NAMIC’s Southern California chapter, is to highlight individuals who have created quality and entertaining multicultural-themed product that may or may not have been recognized by other entertainment-based awards shows. The Vision Awards are even more timely this year, because it allows us the opportunity to fill the gap that the some other well-known awards shows have not been filling lately.

MCN:How important is NAMIC’s focus on multicultural-themed content through the Vision Awards, particularly given the fact that we’re seeing more shows featuring actors of color in prominent roles on television?

ES: I think what’s important about the Vision Awards is that it talks about shows and themes that don’t always find their way to the big networks, so the Vision Awards allows submissions of content that captures the multicultural nature of stories that don’t always gain exposure. With increased distribution of content across multiple platforms providing more ways for people to see content, it’s often difficult to recognize it all. The Vision Awards also provides a venue to encourage more creativity … when people know that there is a forum out there that will recognize their creativity, I think that’s encouraging.

MCN:Given how many over-the-top, online streaming services now offer original content, how inclusive of digital media is NAMIC with regard to its Vision Awards nominations and winners?

ES: When you think about the fact that people can produce content on their phones and upload it to YouTube, it allows a venue to be creative, and we provide a forum for that content to be recognized. To the extent that we can provide a wider reach into the entertainment community, we can offer viewers more awareness and exposure of the shows and content that they want to see. It’s just beneficial for all involved.

MCN:Do you foresee the Vision Awards eventually moving to a big-event ceremony in the future?

ES: I would hope so. The cable and communications industry is going so through such a sea change right now. I can remember when I first started in the television industry, any television show that generated below a 25 share wouldn’t survive. Now, when you look at shares and ratings points, a 1.5 share is big stuff for many networks. I say all of that to say that the measuring points are different than they once were.

Given that there is such an exciting array of entertainment and creativity available, at some point it may substantiate a bigger platform such as a gala to recognize the quality of multicultural content in the marketplace. There will always be a need to celebrate diversity both on the screen and off the screen.

The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications will honor Noticiero Univision anchor Maria Elena Salinas with its 2016 Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, the diversity organization announced Thursday.

The award, named after the Texas Congressman and given to an executive for their lifelong advocacy in social justice and equality for people around the world, will be given to Salinas as part of the May 18 NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast at the INTX Show in Boston.

"NAMIC is pleased to continue paying tribute to Congressman Leland's legacy, by honoring Maria Elena Salinas, a true humanitarian and diversity champion within the field of journalism," said Eglon E. Simon, president and CEO, NAMIC.

NAMIC has promoted two executives, James C. Jones and Sandra Girado, the diversity organization announced Tuesday.

Jones has been promoted to senior vice president of education and diversity solutions, where he will continue to manage NAMIC’s flagship education programs, including The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), NAMIC Leadership Seminars and the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program. Additionally, Jones will oversee the trade association's Chapter and Membership operations, said the organization.

Girado has been upped to vice president of events and partner relations and will continue to oversee the production and management of NAMIC’s portfolio of national events and corporate meetings, including the Annual NAMIC Conference and Annual Awards Breakfast. Girado will also play a larger role in stewarding the association's strategic partnerships and establishing relationships with new stakeholders and supporters.

Additionally, Girado will oversee marketing and communications for NAMIC National.

 “Jim and Sandra have provided valuable leadership for over ten years, with each of them making strong contributions to NAMIC's development," said Eglon E. Simons, president and CEO, NAMIC in a statement. "I look forward to their guidance and leadership in advancing NAMIC's mission as we continue to deliver critical professional development resources that support increased diversity and inclusion."  

Cable networks HBO, BET and OWN:Oprah Winfrey Network drew the most  2016 NAMIC Vision Awards nominations, the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications said Wednesday.

HBO notched nine nominations to lead all cable networks, while BET and OWN drew eight nominations for 22nd annual Vision Awards, which honor original and digital programming content depicting the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color, according to the diversity organization

Overall, 29 networks/distributors generated 83 nominations for NAMIC Vision Awards presented in 18 categories, said the organization. 

HBO’s original movie Bessie and Lifetime's Devious Maids each drew three nominations to top all shows, according to NAMIC. 

NAMIC will showcase the winning programs via an online event format, with the 2016 NAMIC Vision Awards Winners Gallery to be unveiled late April. The online awards gallery will feature :60 second clips of the winning entries in each of the 18 categories.

"At a time when diversity is at the forefront of our consciousness such as the case with the Oscars, NAMIC remains committed to recognizing achievements in ethnically and culturally relevant programming," said Eglon E. Simons, president and CEO, NAMIC in a statement. "We applaud this year's nominees and encourage them to continue advancing diversity on screen and behind-the-scenes."

A full list of NAMIC Awards Nominees appears below:

Animation

Doc McStuffins - Disney Junior  

Miles From Tomorrowland - Disney Junior

NINA'S WORLD - Sprout

Sanjay & Craig - Nickelodeon

The Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon

Awards & Honors

46th NAACP Image Awards - TV One

BET Honors - BET Networks

Black Girls Rock - BET Networks

Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Way - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Best Performance - Comedy           

Danía Ramirez, Devious Maids - Lifetime

Frankie J. Alvarez, Looking - HBO

Raúl Castillo, Looking - HBO

Judy Reyes, Devious Maids - Lifetime

Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project - Universal Television

Best Performance - Drama  

Omari Hardwick, Power - Starz

Queen Latifah, Bessie - HBO

Naturi Naughton, Power - Starz

David Oyelowo, Nightingale - HBO

Michael Kenneth Williams, Bessie - HBO

Children's      

Dora and Friends - Nickelodeon

Game Shakers - Nickelodeon

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee - Nickelodeon

Talia in the Kitchen - Nickelodeon

Comedy         

black-ish - ABC

Devious Maids - ABC Studios

Master of None - Universal Television

Real Husbands of Hollywood - BET Networks

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Universal Television

Daytime         

Oprah Winfrey Network - SuperSoul Sunday - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

The Talk - CBS

Digital Media - Short Form  

#BLX - BET Networks

Ángel o Demonio - ESPN

HelloBeautiful InterludesLIVE! - Interactive One

The Doll Life - Myx TV

Wise Words with DJ Khaled - Music Choice

Documentary

“AFROPUNK Presents The Triptych" from AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange - WGBH, Boston

Breakthrough "Water Apocalypse" - National Geographic Channel

Emmett Till - Al Jazeera America

Fault Lines: Baltimore Rising - Al Jazeera America

Fresh Dressed - CNN

Drama

Being Mary Jane - BET Networks

Grey's Anatomy - ABC

How to Get Away with Murder - ABC

Scandal - ABC

The Knick - Cinemax

Foreign Language    

Mexicánicos - Discovery Networks Latin America

Viernes Futbolero Tiempo Extra - Kaza Azteca America, Inc.

Lifestyle        

BBQ Blitz - Food Network

Home Away from Home - GMA Pinoy TV

Rev Run's Sunday Suppers - Cooking Channel

Tia Mowry at Home - Cooking Channel

Taco Trip - Cooking Channel

News/Informational  

Katrina: 10 Years After the Storm with Robin Roberts - ABC News and Rock'n Robin Productions

Katrina 10 Years Later: Through Hell and High Water - BET Networks

Muhammad Ali: The People’s Champ - BET Networks

Oprah's Master Class - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Shining a Light: Conversations on Race in America - A&E

Original Movie or Special    

Bessie - HBO

Book of Negroes - BET Networks

HALO Awards - Nickelodeon

Saints & Strangers - National Geographic Channel

With This Ring - Lifetime

Reality           

Raising Whitley - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Welcome to Sweetie Pie's - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Project Runway - Lifetime

SC Featured: Life on the Streets - ESPN

SC Featured: No Excuses - ESPN

Reality - Social Issues         

LHH: "Out In Hip Hop" - VH1

SC Featured: Her Voice - ESPN

This is Life with Lisa Ling - CNN

Vice Special Report: Fixing the System - HBO

Women of Honor - Lifetime

Sports

Countdown to the Special Olympics World Games with Robin Roberts - ESPN and Rock'n Robin Productions

E:60 Love Is Stronger - ESPN

E:60 Silent Night Lights - ESPN

Mayweather/Pacquiao: At Last - HBO

The Offseason: Kevin Durant - HBO

Variety/Talk Show    

Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America - A&E

Oprah Prime - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN at the Apollo - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Talk to Al Jazeera Misty Copeland Interviewed by Richelle Carey - Al Jazeera America

Talk to Al Jazeera Spike Lee Interviewed by Sarah Hoye - Al Jazeera America

The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Wednesday announced four cable executives as its 2016 Next Generation Leaders.

The winners of the awards, which honor emerging executives of color 45 years old and younger for their efforts to foster industry multiethnic diversity and inclusion, include Malek Robert Amirshahi, vice president, Public Relations, Time Warner Cable (Cable MSO Award); Detavio Samuels, president, One Solution & Interactive One (Creative Discipline); Sean Cohan, president, International and Digital Media, A+E Networks (Technology Company or Discipline) and Urvashi Shivdasani, senior vice president, Finance, Discovery Networks International, Discovery Communications (Cable Programmer), said NAMIC.

NAMIC will present the awards May 18 at its annual Awards Breakfast at INTX: The Internet & Television Expo.

"NAMIC applauds this distinguished group of executives who are making innovative and strategic contributions within their companies while exemplifying NAMIC's mission to educate, advocate and empower for the advancement of diversity and inclusion," said Eglon E. Simons, president and CEO, NAMIC in a statement. "We appreciate and welcome the industry's continued support as we celebrate diversity and the accomplishments of these emerging business leaders at this year's Annual Awards Breakfast." 

In addition to honoring the four Next Generation Leaders, 10 emerging executives will be honored as NAMIC Luminaries. Also recognized for their professional achievements and commitment to fostering multiethnic diversity, members of the 2016 NAMIC Luminaries class include:  Boris Gartner, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, Fusion Media Network; Fabienne Clermont, vice president, Legal Affairs, Discovery Communications; Meghan Hooper White, vice president, Program Acquisitions, Lifetime Networks; Marisol Martinez, vice president, Marketing Acquisition and CRM, Time Warner Cable; Valerie Meraz, vice president, Content Acquisitions, Turner; Oscar Ramos, general manager, ESPN Deportes Radio and senior director, ESPN Deportes Content, ESPN; Jhamal Robinson, vice president, Production Management, TLC & Discovery Life, Discovery Communications; Talia Robinson, vice president, Human Resources, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; Theresa Vargas Wyatt, chief of staff, El Rey Network; and Alaka Williams, senior vice president, Network Human Resources, Scripps Networks Interactive.