Update on Our DE&I Progress

June 03, 2021 at 05:15 AM EDT

A message from Chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts

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Looking back on a year that exposed long-standing inequities in our society, the Black Lives Matter movement and too many injustices continue to show us that there is much work to be done to create real and lasting change. It has been heartbreaking to witness these painful events unfold, including the murder of George Floyd.

While last summer was a pivotal moment, equity and inclusion have been deeply rooted values since our founding. And they remain defining truths of who we are and what we do.

Since we made our commitment to accelerate the fight against injustice and inequality, I’m proud of how the entire organization has leaned in to do more – listening, learning, and creating new programs that are having a meaningful impact far beyond our walls. Collectively, we’ve helped to support small businesses owned by people of color; create new job opportunities and build careers; amplify diverse voices to inspire and inform; and provide resources to empower underserved communities.

A big part of this work is leveraging technology, training, and Internet connectivity to advance economic mobility. By opening a network of Lift Zones in community centers across the country, students, seniors, veterans, and others have access to free Internet and the tools needed to complete homework, participate in digital skills training, and apply for jobs. Our Comcast RISE program, which launched last fall, will award 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color across the country with grants, technology upgrades, and marketing services by 2022.

We also have a distinct opportunity to improve the diversity of talent throughout our company at every level, including in front of and behind the camera across the industry. Our new NBCU Academy provides talented underrepresented students with training, experience, and scholarships – the tools for building their professional aspirations into impressive careers.

This work will only continue to grow as we look ahead. We recently expanded upon our decade-long efforts to close the digital equity gap with a $1 billion commitment to reach an additional 50 million low-income Americans over the next 10 years and ensure communities of color have the skills and tools necessary to succeed in the digital economy.

Ultimately, across all that we do, our mission remains the same – we connect people to what matters most. We use our platforms and resources to help elevate potential and provide everyone with access to the opportunities they need to succeed.

I’m encouraged by the many ways we’ve seen our employees support each other and come together with our partners to make our company and communities stronger and more reflective of the world we want it to be. Together, we can create a better future for all.

For more information on the programs and initiatives that have been developed to advance Comcast NBCUniversal’s comprehensive DE&I strategy over the past year, read an update on our commitment here.

Tweet me: .@comcast Chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts discusses the programs and initiatives that have been developed to advance their DE&I strategy over the past year. https://bit.ly/3i9G9Os

KEYWORDS: DE&I, Comcast NBCUniversal, NASDAQ: CMCSA, Lift Zones, Comcast RISE