By Corinne Murdock |
Every year, Cox Communications gives tens of thousands to minority students through its diversity scholarships.
This year, the broadband, cable, and telecommunications company issued $35,000 to 10 students. Each student received $3,500. Cox Communications began offering the diversity scholarships in 2014.
Eligible students can’t be white; they must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Partners to the scholarship fund include YWCA Metro Phoenix, ACEL, Be a Leader Foundation, NAACP Maricopa Branch, One n Ten, Sunnyside Educational Foundation, Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Valle Del Sol, and the Educational Enrichment Foundation.
In a statement related to this year’s scholarship offering, Cox vice president of communications, Susan Anable, said that diversity of race correlates directly to stronger communities.
“Ensuring that diverse students have access to higher education will create stronger communities throughout Arizona,” said Anable. “We know that the cost of college can be prohibitive, and the challenge can be stressful for students and their families. We’re proud to connect families to opportunities like this one.”
In a statement regarding the awardees, Anable clarified that these scholarships were part of their company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
“These annual Cox Diversity Scholarships are how we demonstrate our commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion both within our company and in the communities we serve,” said Anable.
Cox Communication’s DEI initiatives include equitable promotion tracks to match the diversity of surrounding communities and customers. The company also established seven DEI councils across the states and regions it serves: California, Southwest, Central, Southeast, Northeast, Virginia, and Atlanta.
In addition to diversity scholarships, Cox Communications also implements race and identity-based diversity standards for its supply chain partnerships. The company identifies nine different race or identity classifications for diverse suppliers: minorities, women, LGBTQ+, disability, veterans, disabled veterans, and service-disabled veterans. In order to qualify for business with Cox Communications, those businesses must be at least 51 percent owned, operated, or controlled by a diverse group listed.
“We make it a priority to work with diverse-owned businesses and will continue to invest in the inspired talent and innovation diverse suppliers have to offer,” said George Richter, Cox’s senior vice president of supply chain management.
Even those diversity-led businesses who don’t qualify for supply chain partnership may still benefit from Cox Communications DEI commitment. The company offers a scholarship program for diverse-owned businesses through Arizona State University Thunderbird School of Global Management, UNLV Lee Business School, Council for Supplier Diversity, Delgado Community College, and Old Dominion University.
For their DEI efforts, Cox Communications has won multiple awards from DiversityInc over the last two years, as well as numerous diversity awards from Forbes.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
