WICT Announces #BeyondtheHashtag Series Expansion

Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) has expanded its #BeyondtheHashtag series and gotten new partnership support for the program as the industry continues to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Beyond the Hashtag series was established at the WICT Leadership Conference in the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, which ignited a global campaign about the obstacles women encounter routinely in their professional lives. WICT’s #BeyondTheHashtag Series seeks to present real-world solutions by moving workplaces from dialog to action in an effort to build inclusive and equitable workplace cultures that end bias, bigotry and prejudice.

In 2021, WICT has partnered with the Walter Kaitz Foundation to make the series a regular offering to WICT members with at least two sessions annually led by subject matter experts; specifically, one during the WICT Leadership Conference and one online webinar. Cox Communications has signed on as the Exclusive Platinum Sponsor of the series.

Michelle Ray, executive director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, said: “Social media campaigns promoting hashtags have become a global phenomenon and an indicator of our society’s collective hopes, demands, and aspirations. Our partnership with WICT on this timely initiative will serve to unearth some of the more essential trends that directly impact our industry. At the Walter Kaitz Foundation we are proud to support WICT and collaborate with Cox on this important initiative. We believe that the conversations it fosters will not only lead to necessary but lasting change.”

Karen Bennett, EVP and chief people officer, Cox Communications, said: “Now more than ever, we’re thinking about inclusion, diversity and equity in terms of goal-oriented and measurable action plans. This series will complement the industry’s work to build and maintain cultures of inclusion. Cox is delighted to sponsor the series, and see it expand thanks to WICT and the Walter Kaitz Foundation.”

Maria E. Brennan, CAE, WICT President & CEO, said: “In this age of social awareness, strong diversity and inclusion practices are a mandate for any company that hopes to recruit and retain the best talent. Our #BeyondTheHashtag learning series aims to help companies improve their DEI practices. With the support of our partners at the Walter Kaitz Foundation and Cox, WICT is thrilled to expand the program to a larger audience as we strive to reach beyond dialog to achieve measurable progress.”