Williams-Fauntroy loves her work at Discovery, which has expanded to include leading legal and business affairs for Discovery’s entire lifestyle brand portfolio in the U.S. “It has a positive purpose to me and I take it seriously with the hope that our company and our industry will value and celebrate the beauty of diversity,” she says. Over the last year, she has been an active member of MOSAIC, Discovery’s company initiative around DEI efforts. As a co-lead for its global recruitment task force, she works to improve diverse representation at Discovery with new hires. “I have been encouraged by how many companies have, in the last year, established formal programs that develop and train students and junior employees from diverse backgrounds,” she says. “Young people of color as well as seasoned professionals are now able to tap into companies more easily through dedicated programs that support access to the industry.”
Do you think there has been significant progress on DEI in the industry in the past year?
There has been forward movement and progress on DEI efforts in our industry and it needs to continue. We all are aware that George Floyd’s murder triggered a nationwide reckoning and awareness around racial justice. That reckoning forced numerous industries, including the media industry, to look more closely at how they can support talented people from underrepresented communities; I think our industry is stepping up. I have been encouraged by how many companies have, in the last year, established formal programs that develop and train students and junior employees from diverse backgrounds. Young people of color as well as seasoned professionals are now able to tap into companies more easily through dedicated programs that support access to the industry. Companies are taking a harder look at recruiting efforts and employee statistics to ensure that their businesses reflect their diverse consumer base and this diverse nation. This work must continue.
What’s been the most dramatic change in your sector of the business today vs three years ago?
The continued expansion of the streaming video on demand businesses in our industry has changed the game when it comes to content offerings. Consumers have a plethora of choices for entertainment and because of that companies have increased competition.
How have you been a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Championing diversity and inclusion has been a life-long, personal and professional passion for me. I love lifting up and celebrating my Black culture and heritage at work and have done so by, among other things, serving as a leader and executive sponsor of our employee resource group, the Black Cultural Alliance, for many years. Over the last year, I have been an active member of MOSAIC, Discovery’s company initiative around DEI efforts and as a co-lead for our global recruitment task force I working to improve diverse representation in our company with new hires. Additionally, I regularly serve as an official (and unofficial) mentor to many early and mid-career employees from diverse backgrounds including specifically establishing mentoring relationships with Black women. I love this work; it has a positive purpose to me and I take it seriously with the hope that our company and our industry will value and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
