Running HR for ESPN is no easy job, as evidenced by the 50 different business units and 8,000 employees around the world that Richardson supports. A champion for diversity, he spent six years serving as the first-ever chief diversity officer for The Walt Disney Company, launching the company’s Women’s Leadership Council, nine employee resource groups and the Executive Diversity Council. “Being willing to have honest, raw and authentic conversations with professionals of color will go a long way, along with creating a vibrant community where ALL employees feel valued,” he says. In his spare time, he’ a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and NAMIC.
The conversation about racial injustice in 2020 has been… needed. Bringing diversity, inclusion, and belonging to the forefront is the right thing to do, and the key to any company’s continued success.
In what ways can companies best show a sincere commitment to diversity and inclusion?
Transparency and connection matter. Being willing to have honest, raw and authentic conversations with professionals of color will go a long way, along with creating a vibrant community where ALL employees feel valued.
Which current shows (on linear and streaming) best embrace diversity?
I’m proud of Disney’s history with shows like “Black-ish”, the conversations we’ve had across multiple ESPN and The Undefeated platforms and including ESPN’s new diverse radio lineup. With Chadwick Boseman’s recent passing, and the impact of content like “Black Panther,” we are all reminded of the transformative power of diverse representation in our storytelling.
