Xfinity to Host Live Webcast Featuring Noted African American Entrepreneurs in Media and Tech Hosted by Renowned MSNBC Journalist Touré Special On Demand Programming Centered on Historic Firsts and Those Making History Today Available Across Xfinity TV Platforms
PHILADELPHIA – Comcast announced a Black History Month celebration that will highlight the incredible work of African American technology entrepreneurs and content creators. Throughout February, Comcast will feature a special collection of programming across Xfinity TV platforms, and the celebration will culminate on February 25th with a two-part, live-streamed online talk show featuring a panel of rising stars making an impact in the world of tech and content.
“We are thrilled to focus this Black History Month on the contributions of entrepreneurs and innovators in the African American community who are making history today,” said Keesha Boyd, Executive Director Multicultural Consumer Services. “Highlighted in our special programming and throughout our celebration are some of the best creative and pioneering minds in tech and entertainment. Comcast’s goal is to support their efforts and create an opportunity for our customers to learn more through their dynamic stories.”
Presented by Xfinity and moderated by MSNBC’s Touré, the panel will showcase an inspiring new generation of innovators who will discuss the challenges and successes of pushing boundaries in tech, TV and film. The first segment will center on tech innovation and will feature entrepreneurs who are breaking ground in noteworthy ways, including:
- Kimberly Bryant, Founder of Black Girls Code
- Matthew Burnett, Co-Founder, Makers Row
- Luvvie Ajai, Founder of AwesomelyTechie.com and AwesomelyLuvvie.com
- Angela Benton, Founder and CEO of NewME Accelerator
The second segment will feature some of the most innovative content creators including:
- Smokey Fontaine, Chief Content & Creative Officer of InteractiveOne
- Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder of Because of Them We Can
- Courtney Kemp-Agboh, Showrunner for “Power” on Starz
- Baratunde Thurston, co-host of TakePart Live, CEO and co-Founder of Cultivated Wit and NY Times Best Seller
The live online talk show will begin streaming at 12 p.m. ET on February 25th and be accessible to all on Xfinity.com/celebrateblacktv.
In addition, during the month of February, Xfinity will offer a collection of Black History Month programming with a special focus on content featuring African American icons who have achieved historic “firsts” in the African American community, including films like: Venus and Serena, The Great Debaters, Pride, The Medgar Evers Story, Bird, I Am Ali and Malcom X. Other features include TV specials like The Black List on TVOne and Angelique Kidjo on Al Jazeera America.
All programming will be featured on Xfinity’s Celebrate Black TV website and on Xfinity On Demand, with select content available on mobile devices via the Xfinity TV Go app.
This month, Comcast is also expanding “His Dream Our Stories” — which was launched in 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – with new interviews and an extended collection of videos that will feature key moments in civil rights history. In partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, Comcast will feature “Moments in Civil Rights History with D’Army Bailey” — a collection of historical events in the civil rights movement. Both sites will be updated weekly with original videos hosted by legendary activist Judge D’Army Bailey, covering key civil rights milestones and events. Users will also have the ability to directly upload their own personal stories of activism, memories from marches and demonstrations, or similar stories from their loved ones.
Comcast has had a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion since its founding more than 50 years ago and focuses its efforts in five key areas: diversity in governance, attracting and retaining a multicultural workforce, developing a diverse supply chain, offering a wide selection of multicultural programming, and community investment in national, regional and local diverse organizations.
