The Why? Parker served on the steering committee that created Comcast RISE, which provides technology services, creative services and financial grants to small business owned by people of color and women. He’s also prioritizing strategic growth in Comcast’s Beltway Region, which recently was awarded $33 million by the state of Delaware to extend its network to more than 7,300 homes.
He Says… ”My grandfather is the founder of the oldest Black-owned meat processing company in America—Parker House Sausage in Chicago. So, from a young age I was aware of both the challenges and opportunities of starting and running a business.”
How inclusive is your recruitment and talent development? Our commitment to championing diversity and fostering inclusion goes back to our entrepreneurial roots and Ralph Roberts’ vision.
What community support initiative has your company championed that you’re most proud of? I’m most proud of Comcast RISE, an initiative launched in late 2020 to provide technology services, creative services and financial grants to small business owned by people and color – and now also women. My grandfather is the founder of the oldest Black-owned meat processing company in America—Parker House Sausage in Chicago. So, from a young age I was aware of both the challenges and opportunities of starting and running a business, and it’s a big reason why I jumped at the opportunity to build and shape our Comcast RISE program after the pandemic hit. I served on the steering committee that created Comcast RISE and I continue to play a leadership role in the execution of the program.
Coworkers describe me as… Creative, empowering, transparent, authentic, and fun. I place a priority on developing employees to become leaders throughout the enterprise and empower leaders to be courageous and innovative in their thinking. I am also deeply committed to building strong teams and organizations, and one way I achieve this is championing DE&I at every level.
How inclusive is your recruitment and talent development? Our commitment to championing diversity and fostering inclusion goes back to our entrepreneurial roots and Ralph Roberts’ vision to build a company where all employees felt heard and inspired. We achieve inclusive hiring and talent development by:
- Forging new and foster ongoing strategic partnerships with universities, community impact organizations, civil rights groups, and nonprofits to diversify our candidate pipeline including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Women’s Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions.
- Partnering with local governments to help create an equitable workforce in the communities we serve.
- Providing our employees with coaching and mentoring programs as well as visibility and support through our company-wide Employee Resource Groups.