The New York Urban League (NYUL) is hosting its ninth annual Champions of Diversity Breakfast on Feb. 8 at the Four Seasons Restaurant. On Tuesday, NYUL announced that Kraft Foods Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, Nielsen and Time Warner Cable were its 2012 honorees.
Honorees are selected from a pool of nominations each year by a judging committee of seven corporate executives representing various industries. Each corporate entry is judged on its commitment to diversity as it relates to four key areas of commerce: corporate citizenry, employment policy, supplier relations and philanthropic practices.
NYUL selected this year’s honorees because of their commitments to diversity in their corporations. In 2011, DiversityInc magazine ranked Kraft Foods Inc. and Time Warner Cable among the nation’s top 50 companies for diversity practices. At McDonald’s Corporation, women and people of color make up approximately 73 percent of McDonald’s total work force, 43 percent of all franchise staff and 55 percent of suppliers. In 2010, Nielsen promoted longtime executive Susan D. Whiting to chief diversity officer, leading the charge for all diversity initiatives.
“Those companies that best reflect the ever-changing face of America and the community at large are most strongly positioned for long-term sustainability. The companies we are honoring this year have made diversity part of their corporate DNA,” said Arva R. Rice, president and CEO of NYUL.
“Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Nielsen and Time Warner Cable are shining examples of what success looks like when corporate values align with business practices,” she continued.
Frank Ahimaz, chief investment officer of the Museum of Modern Art, will deliver the keynote address, and Darlene Rodriguez, anchor of WNBC’s “Today in New York,” will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Distinguished guests will include former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins.