The Why: Watkins is dedicated to elevating WBD sports content, and that includes pushing for authentic and diverse storytelling that reflects fans, athletes and leagues. The 28-time Sports Emmy award winner currently mentors in three different WBD Sports programs designed to strengthen career pathways for historically marginalized and underrepresented people. And he consistently partners with the WBD DEI team’s programs, including those that offer minorities opportunities to work onsite at tentpole events ranging from the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic to NBA All-Star Weekend. Watkins also serves on the sports task force of the National Association of Black Journalists, through which he mentors college students, and is a member of the Howard University Alumni Association – Atlanta chapter.
He Says… “DEI didn’t really exist as a formal corporate consideration when I started. It wasn’t openly discussed.”
What practices should be adopted to make the hiring process more inclusive? Hiring managers should involve more people on the team in the candidate interview process. This doesn’t mean create more rounds of interviews, but instead allowing for more perspectives in evaluating the top candidates.
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? DEI didn’t really exist as a formal corporate consideration when I started. It wasn’t openly discussed. Improvements were pursued quietly by individuals who cared and who had some power to make incremental changes in their sphere of influence. It’s more openly discussed now. There are more people benefiting. But there still hasn’t been enough progress.
First job in the industry: Studio production assistant, ESPN in Bristol, Conn.