John Ridley, Russell Simmons to Present T Howard Diversity Awards

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The T Howard Foundation has tapped film director/producer John Ridley and entrepreneur Russell Simmons to present its Diversity Awards during its annual fundraising dinner this March.

Ridley, producer of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning series American Crime, will present the foundation’s Champion Award to ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee.

Simmons will present the Corporate Excellence Award to HBO, which will be accepted by HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler.

Other awards presented during the March 23 dinner include the Diversity Partner Award, presented to both Crown Media Holdings and Microsoft Corporation, according to T Howard.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.