NAMIC Unveils Cable's Top Companies for People of Color

NAMIC named five cable operators and five programmers as its 2015 Top Companies for People of Color, the diversity organization said Monday.

The list, compiled by NAMIC and global talent consultant Mercer and funded by The Walter Kaitz Foundation, featured five operators -- Bright House Networks, Comcast Corp., Cox Communications, Midcontinent Communications and Time Warner Cable -- and five programmers, including BETNetworks, Discovery Communications, Disney ABC Television Group, NBCUniversal and Turner.

The companies were recognized for their high level of achievement in key diverstiy and inclusion areas, according to NAMIC. The 10 companies were chosen from 27 organizations that completed NAMIC and WICT's 2015 Telecommunications Indsutry Workforce Diversity Survey representing an estimated 65% of the cable telecommunications industry's workforce.

"NAMIC congratulates each of the honorees designated as a Top Company for People of Color," said Eglon E. Simons, NAMIC's president and CEO. "The diversity efforts demonstrated by this forward-thinking group of operators and programmers are contributing to the advancement of multiethnic inclusion. The commitment to D&I modeled by these companies will be critical as our industry strives to be reflective of the global marketplace."

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.