Byron Allen, Verizon Set Summit On Black-Owned Media

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group and Verizon are partnering in a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative to increase media spending with U.S. Black-owned media companies with a summit set for May.

“I’m very proud of Verizon, one of the largest advertisers in the world, coming to the table to make sure we have real economic inclusion for Black-owned media,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “The biggest trade deficit in our nation is the trade deficit between corporate America and Black America, and we must close that gap immediately.”

“Verizon has been working to address diversity, equity and inclusion issues for years and we are proud of the actions we continue to take to move the industry forward,” said John Nitti, chief media officer, Verizon. “Increasing our financial commitment to Black-owned media companies and partnering with Allen Media Group to host a summit that will provide these companies with resources to help enable long term growth is a crucial part of our responsible marketing action plan. It is also an important step in creating the equity the industry needs.”