NYPR creates a new department to boost diversity

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When Brenda Williams-Butts began working at New York Public Radio in 1996, she was one of a very few faces of color. Ten weeks ago, she was appointed as vice president of a new HR department, Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion, at New York Public Radio.

“It didn’t just happen overnight, but I do feel that what really pushed us over was the fact that, internally, we started to pull together sort of a diversity and inclusion counsel and it really helped us to strengthen the message and go straight upstairs to the president and CEO, and she agreed,” said Williams-Butts. “She understood it was time.”

For Laura R. Walker, president and CEO of NYPR, it was natural to transition Williams-Butts to the new position because of her long list of accomplishments within the organization. For nearly 20 years she has worked to forge a relationship between public radio and people of color. Before becoming vice president of this new department, she was the senior director of Community Engagement and Audience Development for NYPR. Under her leadership, NYPR has built long-lasting relations with many community-led programs and establishments, such as the Bronx Museum, African Film Festival, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, El Museo del Barrio, the Queens Council on the Arts and NJPAC. She is also responsible for WNYC’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event.

When she started working at NYPR, it was an organization of close to 80 people, and although most were white, she used it to her advantage to help begin the conversation of the importance of inclusion.

“There’s difficulty in kind of always being the person of color in a place that is mostly dominated by white culture, but I always felt like my work and my purpose was always needed here,” said Williams-Butts. “It never led me to feel like I didn’t belong.”

Her experience is one that mirrored that of the majority of people of color in America unless they worked for a small company run by a person of color. It’s always been one or two Black, Brown or yellow faces in a sea of white. It was an accepted experience, but she has dedicated her career to diversifying who comes in for interviews and who gets hired. One of the most crucial parts to succeeding in the goal of inclusion is making sure all who are qualified are comfortable and confident enough to even apply.

The demographic of applicants has become more diverse, but there is always room for improvement.

“We need to be in places where we’ve never been before, like ethnic conferences. And not just the Black person or the Latino person going to those conferences. It’s everyone. The people in our newsroom who are white need to go to these conferences, too,” said Williams-Butts. “I’m putting a real emphasis on that.”

In an age where Blacks are creating more opportunities for themselves through entrepreneurship, which includes more media platforms to address issues concerning them specifically, Williams-Butts is confident that the content that is being produced by NYPR still has a place within the community alongside those specialized media.

“I look at public radio as a news and information station. It’s not for any particular person to listen to. It’s for everyone to embrace and come around news and information as it relates to your life, particularly in New York City,” said Williams-Butts.

While NYPR continues to brainstorm new ways to bring new voices to their growing list of programs and studio space, Williams-Butts wants applicants to be prepared by getting the education, training and skills for the positions. They have to be able to qualify for the high demands of the job. Once they’re hired, the dedication to inclusiveness doesn’t stop. There is going to be a focus on helping new employees reach their full potential. Learning their interests and supporting their growth while they work at NYPR is essential to the success of Williams-Butts’ new department.

“Diversity is about the numbers, but how do we make people count when they get here?” said Williams-Butts.

Jan. 17, 2016, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., WNYC will present its 10th annual MLK event. This year’s theme is “Race and Privilege: Exploring MLK’s Two Americas.” This year will be the third year that WNYC has partnered with the Apollo Theater in continuing to 32teach the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.