Symonds to Head T. Howard Foundation

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Former Black Entertainment Television executive Curtis Symonds was named
president of the T. Howard Foundation Friday.

Symonds will oversee the day-to-day operations of the foundation, which
promotes diversity within the satellite and telecommunications industries.

Current T. Howard executive director Cynthia Dinkins will retain her post
within the organization.

"I'm excited to be
involved in the T. Howard Foundation knowing that its vision is trying to
diversify the industry by bringing in more people of color," Symonds said.

"Given my passion and desire to grow the industry's mentality in that arena,
I think it will be a great opportunity for me."

The foundation will hold its 10th annual fund-raiser
dinner May 19.

Former AOL Time Warner Inc. vice chairman Ted Turner will be honored, as will
the foundation's namesake, H. Taylor Howard, who was killed in a plane crash
last November.

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.