#MakingHistoryToday
On February 25th, 2015, For Black History Month, Comcast held a two-part, live-streamed online show #MakingHistoryToday featuring a panel of influencers making a significant impact on the world of Tech and Content Creation.
“We are thrilled to focus this Black History Month on the contributions of entrepreneurs and innovators in the African American community who are making history today. Highlighted in our special programming and throughout our celebration are some of the best creative and pioneering minds in tech and entertainment. Comcast’s goal is to support their efforts and create an opportunity for our customers to learn more through their dynamic stories.” Keesha Boyd, Executive Director of Multicultural Consumer Services.
Panelists for the first segment, included:
Matthew Burnett, Co-Founder of Makers Row
Luvvie Ajai, Founder of AwesomelyTechie.com and AwesomelyLuvvie.com
Angela Benton, Founder and CEO of NewMe Accelerator
The first part of the panel highlighted how the African-American community is making a huge impact in the tech space.
“Working in the industry day to day I guess it is hard but it’s not something I think about on a daily basis. I love technology. I love working with entrepreneurs. Now when it comes to fundraising that’s a different story because you’re meeting with a lot of investors and many times they’re not seeing entrepreneurs that are black or even female entrepreneurs.” Angela Benton answered the first question by MSNBC Journalist, Touré.
The second part of the panel discussed, how media in all of it’s forms are being used to innovate in the Black Community.
Panelist for the second segment, included:
Smokey Fontaine, Chief Content and Creative Officer of Interactive One
Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder of Because of Them We Can
Courtney Kemp-Agboh, Showrunner for “Power” on Starz
Baratunde Thurston, co-host of TakePart Live, CEO and Co-Founder of Cultivated With and NY Times Best Seller of “How to Be Black”
- Question from Host, Touré:
How do Content Creators continue to stand out?
“By continuing to be ourselves, our best selves. There is no greater time to be a content creator”….Smokey Fontaine.
To view more of Comcast’s #MakingHistoryToday visit, Xfinity’s Celebrate Black TV website and on Xfinity On Demand, with select content available on mobile devices via the Xfinity TV Go app.
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During February, Comcast also expanded “His Dream Our Stories” — which was launched in 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – with new interviews and an extended collection of videos that will feature key moments in civil rights history. In partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, Comcast will feature “Moments in Civil Rights History with D’Army Bailey” — a collection of historical events in the civil rights movement. Both sites will be updated weekly with original videos hosted by legendary activist Judge D’Army Bailey, covering key civil rights milestones and events. Users will also have the ability to directly upload their own personal stories of activism, memories from marches and demonstrations, or similar stories from their loved ones.
Comcast has had a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion since its founding more than 50 years ago and focuses its efforts in five key areas: diversity in governance, attracting and retaining a multicultural workforce, developing a diverse supply chain, offering a wide selection of multicultural programming, and community investment in national, regional and local diverse organizations.
Written by: Tiffanie Stanard, Philly Speaks
Twitter @Philly_Speaks
