WOW

This year's Kaitz Foundation co-Chairs, Patrick Esser, President - Cox Communications, Inc. and Johnathan Rodgers, President & CEO - TV ONE were proud to report $1.5 Million was raised at this year's dinner.  The industry awarded U.S. Representative Hilda Solis with the Kaitz "Diversity Advocate" award.  Representative Solis' tireless efforts to fight for access to new technologies for her Latino and Asian constituents and be out front on raising awareness of violence against women as a partner with Lifetime TV is a true tribute to her, the daughter of immigrant parents that toiled in the fields in CA.  MTV Networks accepted the Kaitz "Diversity Champion" award for their diverse workforce and programming which accurately reflects the many cultures and ethnicities they serve world-wide.  MTV's tagline is "Where Diversity Rules".

The new Walter Kaitz Executive Director, David M. Porter, Jr., Ph.D. made his first public address at the dinner.  He expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the continued work ahead for the foundation and the industry.  In my opinion, the gentleman who stole the show was a recent Emma L. Bowen student, Alfonso Rosales, Production Coordinator - Travel Channel.  With much eloquence and sincere appreciation, he acknowledged the hand extended to him by Phyllis Eagle-Olsen, Executive Director - Emma Bowen and Discovery Communications, Inc.  in shaping the opportunities provided to him while attending NYU.

I had the opportunity to sit with Sue Panzer, Lifetime TV and a WICT National Board member, for the dinner.  I'm always amazed at the women and men who are the faces of the cable industry.  Sue's story is incredible and her commitment to helping women is unwavering.

Now that diversity week is winding down.  I will spend a few days reviewing my experience and drawing some comparisons between the '06 and '02 diversity events.  More to follow...