Last year, we committed to investing more in communities of color to help create an equitable society. As a part of these efforts, we are working with local organizations focused on eradicating injustice and inequity by creating partnerships through our Comcast Black Employee Network (BEN). In Seattle, we are excited to roll out a new program focused on supporting the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) that will support youth development programs in 2021 and beyond.
While grants and funding are a part of this work, we are passionate about these new programs that emphasize collaboration with our Washington BEN team that make a direct impact on our communities.
The NAAM is one of the longest-standing cultural resources in the region dedicated to highlighting the impact of Black community members who made Seattle, and the Northwest, what it is today. The museum does this through a number of efforts, with youth programming being one of its key focuses.
To help support these efforts, our Black Employee Network is supporting the museum’s Knowledge is Power Book Giveaway by providing funding to help purchase books and put-on digital events. It is an honor for our team to support this important statewide program that puts books that positively represent the black community, in the hands of kids that need them.
Our team is also helping to put on the museum’s annual Youth Curator program. Since 2008, NAAM has provided this program to engage high school students and help them discover the art and science of museum curation. Students work with curators, writers, artists, technology experts, and filmmakers who guide them in bringing history alive based on a specific theme. This year, the BEN team will join as virtual mentors and offer their technical expertise and support to our latest cohort.
This is one of several organizations The Comcast Washington BEN team identified in communities across the state that are creating impactful solutions to advance people of color that could benefit from grant assistance, as well as a deeper collaboration with local employees who are active in their community.
We encourage everyone to visit the museum’s website to learn more and explore many of the digital exhibits and programs they are offering for our community during the pandemic http://www.naamnw.org/
Our team is also in the process of finalizing partnerships with Spokane’s Carl Maxey Center and Graduate Tacoma to help support them through a similar collaborative approach focused on youth and education. We look forward to updating you on the progress of our work with NAAM and these additional partnerships throughout the year.
To learn more about Comcast’s dedicated community to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, please visit our dedicated webpage.
For more information about the work we do in Washington state communities, how to reach out about potential partnerships and more, please visit our WA Community Investment page.
