NAMIC and WICT move to virtual conferences; Kaitz Foundation pivots to fundraising effort

(Black PR Wire) Cable’s anchor organizations for Diversity Week – the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), and the Walter Kaitz Foundation – are forging ahead with new plans for virtual initiatives to supplant our traditional conferences and events previously scheduled for Diversity Week in 2020. 

The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every event planned for the remainder of 2020, and large group gatherings in major American cities are tightly restricted. Following extensive research, member feedback and reflection, WICT and NAMIC will proceed with virtual conferences this fall, during the original time frame for Diversity Week, the week of October 4, 2020. Each organization will communicate directly with members and conference participants to outline their plans. 

The Walter Kaitz Foundation has canceled its traditional dinner this year as a result of the pandemic, and will pivot to a major fundraising campaign to support the deliberate work of its grants programs and bridge the fundraising gap caused by the cancellation. The Foundation’s commitment to grantmaking that bolsters opportunities, representation and equity for cable and entertainment industry professionals remains constant through support of diversity organization beneficiaries: the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, NAMIC, the T. Howard Foundation, and WICT. 

Despite the hardships and challenges arising from the pandemic, our industry remains intensely focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding forces for our companies and organizations. Our collective work in these areas continues unabated and is more critical than ever.