Steve White, Comcast West Division President, will be the Keynote at the Kick-Off Ceremony on December 12.
The African American Employee Resource Group formally known as the Black Employee Network (BEN) is launching in California and we couldn’t be more excited.
Embracing diversity is part of Comcast’s DNA and employee resource groups are big contributors. According to Erika Irish Brown, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg LP, employee networks, employee resource groups (ERG’s) or business resource groups are an important part of any holistic, global diversity and inclusion strategy. Despite any flaws in names and naming conventions, the objectives and functions they fulfill should be a priority for all employees who care about talent, culture and business performance.
As a recent McKinsey study shows, “Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.” Additionally, a 2015 study from Bersin by Deloitte showed that diverse companies had 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee over a three-year period than non-diverse companies did.
We interviewed several leaders at Comcast California about this topic, and this is what they had to say:
Name: Darryl Hawkins
Title: Area Vice President – Northeast Bay
Years with Comcast: 2
How has your African-American cultural experience helped shaped your role at Comcast?
It has provided me with a unique understanding of the opportunities that we have to improve the experience for people from diverse backgrounds.
What excites you the most about the upcoming Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG?
Companies that implement ERGs to highlight an all-inclusive environment, which supports and promotes inclusion and helps find strategies that can be used to provide an enhanced employee experience.
Name: Kim Jackson
Title: California Regional Director of Comcast University
Years with Comcast: 13
How has your African-American cultural experience helped shaped your role at Comcast?
I like to think that I bring a perspective that is different from the mainstream. Being the result of a diverse family tree composed of primarily of African American, Honduran, and Black Foot Native American ancestry allows me to approach the world with a unique cultural lens. Having faced discrimination and negative biases more times than I would want to mention, I pride myself on being very welcoming to differing viewpoints and am very sensitive about including all voices, not just those “in the room,” in my decisions.
What excites you the most about the upcoming Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG?
I think it will be a great opportunity to share the uniqueness and similarities of the African American culture with fellow Comcasters (especially regarding bi-culturalism). These types of “judgment-free/open” conversations only make us stronger as a Comcast family and a company.
Name: Nelson Duckett
Title: Director of Technical Operations – North Bay Market
Years with Comcast: 18
How has your African-American cultural experience helped shaped your role at Comcast?
It’s the foundation and the true body of my experience in life. The African American culture is built on many beliefs and fundamentals. As a leader in Comcast, my culture has helped to shape me into the leader I am today by mirroring the foundation of faith, resilience, creativity, excellence, and fairness. All this embodies the Comcast culture we’re a part of and the African American culture itself.
What excites you the most about the upcoming Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG?
I’m excited because this is personal and close to my heart. Being an African American and being a part of the launch of this group is a true honor. I’m excited to see the African American culture shared within our already diverse company. We’ve seen so many wonderful ERG’s express the history of their culture, and it’s been truly insightful to watch. I’m more than excited to share the food, the history, the art music/dance and the foundation of what makes the African American culture.
Name: Jada Roseman
Title: Community Investment Specialist
Years with Comcast: 20
How has your African-American cultural experience helped shape your role at Comcast?
Unity in the face of discord; Never give up when faced with issues in the community and the world bigger than me. Having a support system within the company, it takes a village.
What excites you the most about the upcoming Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG?
What excites me? Using an excerpt from our mission statement, “strengthen the African American community in neighborhoods where our employees live and work.” Comcast is a great place to work and giving back is a part of our DNA. As a Community Investment Specialist, my role often allows me to work in the community. Often those communities are underserved, and to have a young black girl look at me and sees someone who looks like her, may potentially give her the idea that she can work in corporate America.
Name: Felicia J. Keene
Title: Business Operations Supervisor
Years with Comcast: 25
How has your African-American cultural experience helped shaped your role at Comcast?
Growing up with African American culture, I was taught to see what is inside and not the color on the outside. I pride myself on give a warm experience to anyone who has crossed my path.
What excites you the most about the upcoming Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG?
I’m excited to get a change to connected with my long time and new peers on a regular basis. With the day-to-day functions that are required, we often loss touch. This will allow professional growth along with mentorship to be available. Being a member of BEN ERG, I will commit to providing an extraordinary experience and comfort to anyone who wants join any of the ERG of interest.