Industry involvement and community outreach come naturally here. It is an outgrowth of our core values and a testimony to our people. We support these diversity-related organizations in the communities where we work as a corporate citizen and active recruiter looking for the best talent, and because we believe in organizations' mission.
We support these diversity organizations through our strong partnerships:
WICT-Women in Cable Telecommunications
As the oldest and largest organization serving women professionals in cable and telecommunications, WICT maintains its original objective to advance the influence of women within the industry. The Touchstones of WICT: Know Yourself, Communicate, Listen, Connect, Be a Catalyst, Be Fearless and Inspire serve as inspiration to its members and as the mission statement to the organization. Scripps Networks truly embodies this vision with women heading up two of its five lifestyle brands among many other influential women throughout the company. As advocates of WICT, Scripps employees participate in many development programs including the acclaimed Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, Executive Development Seminars, Rising Leaders Program and WICT Cable Bootcamp. Scripps employees participate in the annual WICT Leadership Conference leading discussions and participating in panels on topics such as women in technology, women trailblazers and multigenerational communication in management. As WICT's advocacy initiative to both measure and support the advancement of women, The Par Initiative has repeatedly honored Scripps for its high performance in pay equity for women and for its performance in advancement opportunity for women.
NAMIC- National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Cable
The National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Cable (NAMIC) founding mission to improve diversity within the hierarchical ranks of the cable industry has blossomed to ensuring the cable industry reflects the world, making
Scripps’ partnership a valuable asset. As a supporter of NAMIC, Scripps Networks employees participate in the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) and annual conferences each year. Scripps employees have been among representatives on the NAMIC diversity roundtable where industry leaders discuss diversity issues, panelists and speakers during NAMIC conferences and local chapter events. Three Scripps employees serve as officers responsible for coordinating and promoting the NAMIC mission locally. In 2006, Scripps was honored at NAMIC’s Annual Holiday Benefit Gala for demonstrating a commitment to advancing diversity within the cable and telecommunications industry.
NUL- National Urban League
The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community- based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Scripps Networks is an active promoter of diversity at all levels of its workforce and within its programming. To continue its emphasis on diversity in the workforce, Scripps is a member of the National Urban League and an active sponsor of the Knoxville Area and New York Area Urban Leagues. President of Scripps Networks John Lansing is a member of the Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) Board of Directors. The company is also a supporter of the Urban League’s Young Professionals organizations. In the past the company has sponsored a New York Young Professionals reception and pioneered the inaugural reception for the Knoxville Young Professional group. Additionally, each year, Scripps attends the National Urban League Annual Conference as a participant and sponsor.
Hola Festival in Knoxville
Scripps Networks is the proud primary sponsor and participant of the annual Hola! Knoxville Hispanic Heritage Festival. The festival, which takes place in Downtown Market Square, serves as a celebration of Hispanic Heritage month by dedicating a full day to sharing Hispanic culture and traditions with the East Tennessee community. Hola is a cultural and social organization informally started in 1992 and chartered as a not-for-profit organization in 2003. Its mission is to create a sense of place among Latinos in the Knoxville area and to build cultural and communication bridges with the community at large. Lysette Aviles-Kok, a Scripps Networks recruiter, serves as a co-chair of the festival. As a leader in diversity recruitment, Scripps Networks provides support and employee volunteers throughout the day-long event. The festival includes food, live music, educational tables and the “Parade of Nations,” which showcases the vibrant outfits of Spain and Latin America.
The Walter Kaitz Foundation
The Walter Kaitz Foundation was founded by Spencer Kaitz to advocate fairness and inclusion as the public face of the cable industry’s diversity efforts. Its annual ''Diversity Week'' brings together many of the industry's most prominent members to mingle and strategize on ways to improve cable's recruitment, training and promotion of minorities. As a supporter of the Kaitz Foundation, Scripps Networks attends the annual Fundraising Dinner and participates in its industry-wide Supplier Diversity Workshop. Scripps works closely with the Kaitz Foundation to support the Howard University School of Business. As corporate sponsors, Scripps and Kaitz mentor students, deliver presentations at retreats and workshops, put students to work solving real industry problems and host networking activities. The Kaitz Foundation grant money helps fund the Link Mentoring Program, Summer Conference and the Emma Bowen Foundation Career Guide. Scripps Networks supports the Emma Bowen Foundation’s cause for minority involvement in the media by offering internships throughout the year to the foundation students. Scripps Networks will be honored with the Diversity Champion Award September 17, 2008 at the Kaitz Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner. Each year Kaitz bestows this honor upon companies and people within the media industry that act as catalysts for diversity within their organizations or throughout the industry.
Other organizations we support include:
Asian American Federation of New York100 Black Men Hispanic National Bar Association Jackie Robinson Foundation Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Knoxville Martin Luther King Center of KnoxvilleSpelman Women of Color Leadership Conference Studio Museum in Harlem University of Tennessee Black Alumni Association