1984-2008

For 25 years the Walter Kaitz Foundation fundraising dinner has been a celebration of the achievements of organizations and individuals whose commitment to diversity is exemplified through their ideals and their everyday business practices.
 
The Foundation’s Diversity Champion Award honors those who have woven a commitment to diversity into the fabric of their businesses and their lives. They are role models, inspiring and encouraging excellence, removing barriers that hinder progress, and empowering others with opportunities.
 
The Foundation’s Diversity Advocate Award is presented to an individual outside the cable industry who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity and has fostered an inclusive environment for the cable telecommunications industry. 

Each year, our Annual Fundraising Dinner recognizes those who demonstrate leadership in advancing the cause of diversity through the cable industry. Here’s our honor roll (and our dinner themes) over the years… 

2008 "Celebrating 25 Years"
Diversity Champion: Bright House Networks and Scripps Networks
Diversity Advocate: U.S. Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)

2007 “Diversity: Beyond Boundaries”
Diversity Champion: ESPN
Diversity Advocate: U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY)
 
2006 “Expressions of Diversity”
Diversity Champion: MTV Networks
Diversity Advocate: U.S. Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA)
 
2005 “Every Day Belongs to Everyone”
Diversity Champions: Glenn A. Britt, Time Warner Cable; James A. Hatcher, Cox
Communications Inc.; and Sherryl D. Love, Cox Communications, Inc.
Diversity Advocate : U. S. Rep. Melvin L. Watt (D-NC)

2004 “Celebrating Diversity”
Dinner Honoree: Spencer Kaitz, Founder, Walter Kaitz Foundation 

2003 “Cable’s Commitment’
Dinner Honoree: Decker Anstrom, Landmark Communications

2002 “Diversity Means Business”
Dinner Honoree: Brian L. Roberts, Comcast Corporation 

2001 (Our dinner was canceled in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy)

2000 “New Vision, New Direction”
Dinner Honoree: John J. Rigas, Adelphia Communications, Inc. 

1999 “Opportunity and Access”
Dinner Honoree: William J. Bresnan, Bresnan Communications, Inc. 

1998 “It’s about Leadership”
Dinner Honoree: Charles F. Dolan, Cablevision Systems Corp. 

1997 “Cable’s Resource for Diversity”
Dinner Honoree: James O. Robbins, Cox Communications, Inc. 

1996 “We Break Barriers”
Dinner Honoree: Robert L. Johnson, BET Holdings, Inc. 

1995 “It’s Time” Dinner Honoree: John W. Goddard, Viacom Cable, Inc. 

1994 “Changing the Face of Cable”
Dinner Honoree: Gerald M. Levin, Time Warner Cable 

1993 “Diversity Delivers”
Dinner Honoree: Amos B. Hostetter Jr., Continental Cablevision, Inc. 

1992 “Cable’s Resource for Diversity”
Dinner Honorees: Walter Kaitz Fellows 

1991 “Vision for Change”

1990 “The Decade for Affirming Diversity”
Dinner Honoree: Ralph J. Roberts, Comcast Corporation 

1989 “The Next Generation: A New America”
Dinner Honoree: J. Richard Munro, Time Warner, Inc. 

1988 “Five Years of Growth and Momentum”
Dinner Honoree: Ralph M. Baruch, Viacom International 

1987 “Investing in Excellence”
Dinner Honoree: R.E. “Ted” Turner, Turner Broadcasting
 
1986 “Investing in Excellence”
Dinner Honoree: Bill Daniels, Daniels & Associates 

1985 “Investing in Excellence”
Dinner Honoree: Bob and Betsy Magness, Tele-Communications, Inc. 

1984 “Investing in Excellence”
Dinner Honoree: Thomas Wheeler, National Cable Television Association