27th Annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Fundraising Dinner

Welcome!

Highlighting an extraordinary week dedicated to cable industry diversity, The 27th Annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Fundraising Dinner brought together industry leaders and participants in a remarkable display of support for programs supporting diversity. The bottom line: more than $1.5 million raised from sponsorships and attendance – in a single evening.

The funds will help to advance leadership and professional development programs undertaken by the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) along with the programs and activities of The Walter Kaitz Foundation.

It’s the result of a remarkable commitment that draws from all facets of the cable industry. From programming providers to technology developers to cable operating companies large and small, attendees at the Dinner exhibited broad industry support for the vision of inclusion and opportunities articulated by the late Walter Kaitz, a Russian immigrant who rose to become a prominent industry leader.

2010 also marked the return of the Dinner to New York City from Denver, site of the 2009 fundraising event.

With HGTV show host and architect, John Gidding, hosting the presentation from the ballroom at the Hilton New York, participants shared a special evening marked by the recognition of two honorees.

• Representative Doris Matusi (D-CA 5th District) was presented with the Diversity Advocate Award, given to an individual outside of the cable industry who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity.
• With CEO David Zaslav accepting, Discovery Communications received the Diversity Champion Award, given to individuals or organizations that act as catalysts for diversity within their respective organizations, or throughout the industry.

The Dinner’s co-chairs, Jerry Kent, Chairman & CEO of Suddenlink Communications, and Ken Lowe, Chairman, President & CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive, presented the honorees their awards.

To all who attended, and to the sponsors that generously supported the Dinner, The Foundation offers an enthusiastic, appreciative “thank you!” for demonstrating once again that when it comes to supporting diversity, the cable industry has no equal.