WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Doris O. Matsui (D-CA 5th District) and Discovery Communications will be honored at the 27th Annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Fundraiser Dinner on September 15, 2010, at the Hilton New York in New York City.

Diversity Advocate:  Rep. Matsui

Congresswoman Matsui will be presented the Diversity Advocate Award.  This award is presented annually to an individual outside of the cable industry who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity.  Through leadership in diversity, this individual has directly or indirectly fostered a more embracing and inclusive diversity environment for the cable industry.

Representing the Sacramento area, Representative Matsui is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism, and the STEM Education Caucus.  To increase broadband adoption in her district and around the country, she introduced the “Broadband Affordability Act" to increase broadband adoption for low-income Americans living in rural and urban areas.  She is also a staunch supporter of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Education and SMART grid technology.

Diversity Champion: Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications will be honored as the Diversity Champion for the company’s commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce, implementation of a significant supplier diversity program, execution of philanthropic endeavors, and diversity in programming content.

The Diversity Champion Award is given annually to individuals or organizations that act as catalysts for diversity within their respective organizations or throughout the cable industry.  These organizations or individuals motivate the cable industry to embrace and value diversity, by serving as role models, inspiring and encouraging excellence, removing barriers that hinder progress, and empowering others with opportunities.

Some of Discovery’s diversity activities include:

  • Supplier Diversity: Discovery has developed a diverse network of minority and women-owned suppliers to help it achieve business success, and use of that network is now ingrained into its sourcing strategy.  In addition, the company has recently implemented a task force of employee stakeholders to formalize tracking procedures for its network of minority and women-owned suppliers.
  • Corporate Philanthropy: Throughout the world, Discovery undertakes a wide range of initiatives focused on making a positive impact in the local communities where they live and work. This year the company embarked on its first annual Discover Your Impact Day where employees around the globe volunteered in their local communities to give back and celebrate Discovery’s 25th anniversary. Throughout the year, employees volunteer at schools, provide assistance to individuals in need, promote HIV/AIDS awareness and environmental issues, and support local community organizations and causes.  Other examples of Discovery’s philanthropic efforts include: Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Fund (DCGPF), Discovery Gets Packing, AIDS Quilt, Women’s Microfinance Initiative, and Prom Gowns for New Orleans.
  • Recruitment and Retention: Six of Discovery’s nine networks are led by women, in addition, Discovery Studios and two joint ventures, OWN and the HUB, also are managed by women.  Discovery has cultivated enduring relationships with a broad range of local and national organizations focused on diversity, to expand outreach and recruiting efforts.  Those groups include WICT, NAMIC, the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, and a host of other organizations.  To help retain employees, Discovery implemented Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and a structured mentoring program of 40 volunteers who serve as Global Diversity Ambassadors.
  • Diversity in Programming: Working in concert with network General Managers, the diversity of Discovery’s on-air talent has doubled since 2007.  Examples of diverse talent that has helped strengthen the company’s diversity commitment include Morgan Freeman who has teamed up with the Science Channel for a series on space exploration, “Through the Wormhole;” Whoopi Goldberg, who is working on the development of a science-oriented game show; and Will Smith who has helped in boosting the company’s annual 3M Discovery Education Young Scientists’ Challenge. 
“At this year’s dinner in New York, the entire cable industry will applaud Congresswoman Matsui and Discovery Communications for their dedication to diversity and their ongoing efforts to create better environments for women and people of color,” said David Porter, Executive Director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

Dinner Committee, Ticket Sales, Sponsorships

Co-chairing this year’s dinner are Jerry Kent, Chairman & CEO of Suddenlink Communications, and Ken Lowe, Chairman, President & CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive.  Other industry executives joining them on the Dinner Committee include: Matthew C. Blank, Chairman & CEO, Showtime Networks, Inc.; Richard Sjoberg, President & CEO, Sjoberg’s, Inc.; Mark Niblick, Chairman, Midcontinent Communications; and Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman & CEO, Fox Networks Group.

The annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Dinner is the cable industry's most prestigious fundraising event for diversity.  Each year, the dinner typically raises more than $1 million to fund diversity-oriented programs and initiatives for three industry-based diversity organizations: the Emma L. Bowen Foundation; the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC); and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

Ticket sales for the dinner are now under way.   For information on sponsorship opportunities or for other questions about the dinner, contact the Walter Kaitz Foundation, at (202) 222-2490, or email Michelle Ray, Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives for the Walter Kaitz Foundation, at mray@walterkaitz.org.  Full information about the dinner can be found at www.walterkaitz.org.


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