Comcast Corporation has been named to Black Enterprise magazine’s annual list of the “40 Best Companies for Diversity.”

The publication recognized Comcast and NBC Universal’s employee base, supplier diversity program and the diverse representation of the company’s board of directors as key strengths.

Comcast has the distinction of being the only Philadelphia-based company selected as a best company for diversity.

“We are definitely honored to have received this recognition and we are spending a good amount of time looking to find ways for us to do more in this space,” said Ajamu M. Johnson, senior director, supplier diversity and strategic procurement, Comcast.

“Pretty much across all areas where we negotiate contracts, we have a robust effort to find and create opportunities for diversity-owned suppliers in all that we source.”

In selecting the top 40, Black Enterprise conducted a comprehensive outreach effort to the top-grossing 1,000 publicly-traded companies and 100 leading global companies with significant U.S. operations. The survey focused primarily on the participation of African-American, Asian, Hispanic and other ethnic minority groups in four key areas: supplier diversity, senior management, board of directors and employees.

An article in Black Enterprise’s July edition highlighted Comcast and NBC Universal’s strides in spending with veteran-owned businesses. During 2011, the companies spent a combined $60 million with veteran-owned businesses and provided assistance on doing business with both entities.

Comcast and NBC Universal officials say diversity is reflected in its leadership, workforce, purchasing decisions, programming and community investment.

“It definitely is something that remains [at the] top of [our] mind and in focus across our leadership and rank-and-file members of the organization,” said Johnson.

“I will say that especially in the last 18 months, since we’ve broadened our family and brought NBCU into the fold, I know that we have a renewed focus around diversity and inclusion.”

Johnson says Comcast and NBC Universal conducted business with over 4,000 diverse suppliers which equated to more than $1 billion in spending activities for 2011.

Last year, the companies added two diverse board members, which increased the board’s diversity to 33 percent, formed internal and external diversity advisory councils and increased diversity hires and promotions. The companies also expanded employee awareness and training on diversity, increased supplier diversity spending, expanded diverse programming and increased contributions to diverse and minority-led and minority-serving non-profit organizations.

Johnson says a significant amount of success in the area of supplier diversity is due to robust partnerships with organizations such as the National Black Chamber of Commerce, National Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and the National Veterans Organization of America.

This marks the third time Comcast has been named to the “40 Best Companies for Diversity” list since 2007.

Contact Staff Writer Ayana Jones at (215) 893-5747 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .