At Comcast, diversity, equity and inclusion are core to our company values – from the contributions of our teammates to our connections with our customers and communities. We are committed to amplifying diverse voices, advancing equity and fostering inclusion this Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.
One of the ways we’re celebrating this month is by sharing stories from our local team members and community partners.
First, meet Kermit, Senior Manager of Installation & Service for Technical Operations, based in Berlin CT. He shared how his Hispanic heritage has shaped him.
Q. What is your background?
A. I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and lived in Guayanilla, which is on the Southwest side of the island. Most of my family lived in Puerto Rico until my parents and some of their siblings moved to the Tri-State Area of the United States.
Q. What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?
A. My Hispanic heritage is the root and core of who I am. The musical side of the culture is what I really gravitated to at an early age, and it is amazing to see how it has grown and spread throughout the world.
Q. How has your identity influenced your career and leadership journey?
A. I grew up in a very tight-knit community and saw the benefits of supporting each other and working together toward a common goal. It’s important to me to build that same sense of strong ties and family with my work team. Our common goal is to give our customers a great experience, and we best achieve this when we collaborate. I also take great pride in setting an example and being a positive role model to other members of the Hispanic community who are starting out in their careers.
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In the communities where our team members like Kermit live and work, Comcast builds community partnerships with organizations that celebrate diversity. We’re a proud supporter of ARTE, Inc, a New Haven, Connecticut-based organization that has provided thousands of area youth with free enrichment and educational programs that honor the Latino spirit. David Greco, co-founder and director, told us more about the work they do.
Q. What are some of the programs you offer New Haven youth?
A. All of ARTE’s programs are FREE. Among them we offer:
- Programs, events, exhibits and workshops geared toward Hispanic heritage;
- Multiple after school programs;
- Saturday Arts Academy, where accomplished high school and college students are employed as instructors;
- College readiness programs and scholarships;
- “Socialization & Learning Adventures, Through Education”, or SLATE for short, which is a life skills program; and
- Zumba Classes for Seniors at the Atwater Senior Center.
Q. What are some ways you celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture?
A. ARTE has been celebrating Hispanic heritage for 20 years, and each of our events highlight various Latino/Hispanic countries, cultures, music, history, traditions, sports and foods. Most of the programs are conducted by Latino/Hispanic instructors or presenters. I am pleased to say Comcast is an amazing partner and has provided ARTE with grants to help support our SLATE program, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more.
Q. In what ways does your organization make a positive impact in the community?
A. Our organization has an impeccable reputation for offering top-quality programs that offer positive alternatives for youth and provide social-emotional development, mentoring, leadership and fun. Beyond our programs, ARTE supports families and the community, and we have given away hundreds of bicycles and toys during the holidays, thousands of dollars in grocery store gift cards, distributed winter coats and gear, conducted neighborhood clean-ups and much more. We also raised $140,000 for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and we partner and collaborate with other community organizations and agencies to better our community.
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Learn more about our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. To access Hispanic/Latino content on Xfinity’s X1 and Flex platforms, Xfinity customers can just say “Latino” into their bilingual Xfinity Voice Remote.
Read more about how we’re involved in the community, including our digital equity efforts, Volunteer Month and Pride Month.
