Byron Allen

Next year isn’t even here yet, but Allen already has something to look forward to – his sixth courtroom series, “The Verdict with Judge Hatchett,” is set for a Fall 2016 launch. Regarded as a bold visionary with little self-doubt, Allen continues to move forward year after year. He has over 30 different series in production for his television cable networks, and he employs a full spectrum of minorities in a wide array of positions on all his shows. “Employing and doing business with everyone that doesn’t just look and think like ourselves,” says Allen, when asked how he defines diversity.

What’s your biggest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months? 

Significantly increasing the distribution of our seven cable networks.

How do you define diversity?

Employing and doing business with everyone that doesn’t just look and think like ourselves.

 How can cable better support diversity?

The cable industry spends approximately $70 billion a year licensing cable networks, and as an industry, we will not have truly achieved diversity until at least 10 percent ($7 billion per year) is paid to women and people of color to own and control their own cable networks.