T Howard Foundation Postpones Annual Fundraising Dinner Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Coronavirus virus concerns has forced the cancellation of another industry event as the T Howard Foundation Monday postponed its March 25 annual fundraising dinner.

The event, which recognizes and celebrates industry leaders and companies committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the media and entertainment industry, will be rescheduled at a later date, according to T Howard Foundation president and CEO Jo Pamphile.

“The Diversity Awards Dinner is where we accomplish more than our fundraising goal. It is where we have the chance to celebrate our mission of diversity with our supporters, partners, board members, interns and the T- Howard Team. Therefore, their safetyand well-being must be our primary consideration," said Pamphile in a statement. 

The dinner will honor ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, Charter Communications and ViacomCBS. The event's postponement marks the second in the last three years for T Howard: an early Spring snowstorm forced the dinner's postponement in 2018. 

The T Howard Foundation dinner joins a growing list of entertainment-based events recently cancelled due to coronavirus concerns including SXSW, Fox News' upfront, Comcast’s FreeWheel event, MIPTV and Mobile World Congress.

Coronavirus Cancellations: Everything You Need to Know

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.