This year has been full of challenges, but it hasn’t stopped Rodriguez from pushing harder than ever to create diverse and inclusive programming for everyone within the Hispanic community. Now, Rodriguez and her team are brainstorming unique and creative ways to produce Univision’s tentpole award shows, including the Latin Grammys, in the age of COVID-19. For companies to cultivate an environment of allyship, Rodriguez believes they need to ensure that their cultures, values and policies all align. “This means investing in training and development related to unconscious bias, inclusion and diversity. This means growing the ranks of underrepresented groups in an organization through mentorship and through sponsorship,” she says. “Last, but not least, it requires companies to invest in the communities and consumers they serve.”
What is one of your proudest moments during the pandemic? My proudest moments are caring for my family, community and employees. I’m proud of our teams that sacrifice to keep our audience informed, empowered and entertained throughout these unprecedented times.
If you were a teenager attending virtual classes right now, what advice would you give yourself? Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your teachers, your classmates, or your family. It’s not easy learning virtually, especially doing so from home where there are a ton of distractions and limitations. Don’t be dejected and hold your head up high—you got this, and in moments when you don’t think you do, take a deep breath, and seek out help.
How can companies best foster an environment of allyship? Companies can ensure they create environments of allyship by ensuring that company cultures, values, and policies all align. This means investing in training and development related to unconscious bias, inclusion and diversity. This means growing the ranks of underrepresented groups in an organization through mentorship and through sponsorship. It also means allowing for diverse cultures to thrive through investment and support for ERG groups. Last, but not least, it requires companies to invest in the communities and consumers it serves.
