Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® joins NABJ calling for Leadership Diversity at CNN
Friday, March 8, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 5, 2019) – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.® shares the concern of The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) about the lack of black representation within the ranks of CNN’s executive news managers and direct reports to CNN President Jeff Zucker. As an organization specifically concerned with the issues affecting the African American community we lend our voices to those who would encourage constructive dialogue regarding creating an inclusive workplace at CNN.
The role of media in society is to bring the truth to the people. Authentic journalism is bold, fearless, and very honest. The potency of any news outlet is diluted when all voices are not heard and considered in various facets of the news organization. The pace of our evolving society requires that we be adequately and accurately informed through a lens that is absent of bias and inclusive of all segments of society.
We look forward to the findings of the research and an analysis of CNN’s diversity, inclusion and equity practices, performed by NABJ as well as the civil rights audit that examines the company’s hiring, promotion and compensation practices involving black employees.
After some preliminary research Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.® shares the NABJ’s concerns about the following findings:
▪ CNN President Jeff Zucker has no black direct reports.
▪ There are no black Executive Producers at CNN.
▪ There are no black Vice Presidents on the news side at CNN.
▪ There are no black Senior Vice Presidents on the news side at CNN.
“Alpha Phi Alpha members have been longstanding active members and leaders of NABJ since its founding. From its first president Chuck Stone to Arthur Fennell, to Merv Aubespin who also served as president, our brothers have been vigilant advocates for equity, diversity, and inclusion for black journalist and communications professionals. The fraternity is pleased to support the NABJ in creating inclusive leadership spaces within news organizations” said Dr. Everett B. Ward, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.®
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.®
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.apa1906.netand follow on Twitter @apa1906network.
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