The Why: Johnson has racked up the frequent-flyer miles, having traveled to more than a dozen cities in Comcast’s service area in the past 12 months to spread awareness about closing the digital divide. It’s part of his mission to give workers in all sectors—including low-income adults and veterans—the tools to participate in today’s digital economy. He shared that passion when he led former President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative both in and outside of the White House.
He Says… “Vulnerability comes from the top down. As a leader, I want to share my story and experiences with our team, our employees and our community. Doing so opens a space for people to feel comfortable to sharing, which creates opportunity for others to connect with one another across their differences.”
Place I would love to retire to: There so many beautiful places across the country, and several that I consider home, like Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Ann Arbor, and more. But for me, my family is truly my home. When I retire, as long as my wife is there and my children are nearby, I’ll be happy no matter where we are.
What practices should be adopted to make the hiring process more inclusive? Hiring managers need to think about inclusivity from the beginning. Before a position even opens, they need to think about how they can create opportunities to grow their team and hire diverse talent to fill those roles.
How has advocating for DEI benefited your company or department? There is no question that having a diverse workforce and diverse leadership increases creativity and productivity—this is settled fact and I see it reflected in my own team every day.”