Univision, HHF & Dell Host Diversity Coding Summit

UNIVISION, HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND DELL HOST CODING SUMMIT TO ENGAGE CODERS AND TECH ENTREPERNEURS IN SOLVING DIVERSITY ISSUES IN THE SECTOR

‘‘Driving Diversity in Innovation, Technology & Media” Summit on March 12th, 2016 in Austin, Texas

WASHINGTON, DC – Univision, Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and Dell Inc. are hosting “Driving Diversity in Innovation, Technology & Media” on March 12^th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (CST) at the #DellLounge (115 San Jacinto Blvd) in a unique effort to ask minority coders, programmers and tech entrepreneurs how they would solve the tech diversity issue.  More than 150 professionals and students have already registered to take part in the summit, which is being held in partnership with members of Congress.   The recommendations from the participants will subsequently be turned into a guide for policymakers, diversity leaders and tech companies.

“We believe the real experts in addressing the tech diversity gap are the actual people we’re trying to find and replicate, and that’s exactly what we’re doing thanks to our work with Dell and Univision,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.  “Listening is part of leading on this important issue and we will not only be listening but turning the participants’ thoughts into a guide for policymakers and other Fortune 500 companies to use.”

“At Dell we recognize that in a world that is constantly evolving, managing diversity and championing an inclusive culture are essential to our collective success, so we are excited to collaborate with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Univision for this exciting event,” said Cris Turner, head of Americas Government Affairs for Dell.  “Entrepreneurs and tech innovation move at astounding speed and sometimes it’s difficult for Washington to keep up.  Having these conversations in Austin provide the ideal alternative to Washington for innovators and policymakers to explore policy solutions in the context of a diverse, thriving regional tech economy.”

“As the economic, political and cultural impact of Hispanic Americans continues to grow in the  United Sates, it will become critical for diverse voices to lead a constructive dialogue about diversity in the tech industry,” said Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, EVP, Government Relations & Public Policy, Univision Communications Inc. “As part of our mission to empower, and in partnership with Dell and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, we are engaging professionals and students to be part of shaping the future and creating opportunities for a new generation.” The approach to taping the ideas of the participants of the summit will be a Southwestern Native American group reflection and discussion process called Kiva, which provides a structured group experience encouraging critical reflection and self-analysis through multiple, sequenced facets of a single issue facilitated by HHF Board Member Juan Sepulveda.

On March 10, Tijerino and HHF will be participating in the 3rd Annual Latin@s in Tech Summit, 8:30 am – 4 pm, at the Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin to discuss the diversity gap in tech industry.

In addition to the Summit, other Dell activities include:

• Women in Tech, Policy and Entrepreneurship, #DellLounge, March 12, 8:00 – 10:00 am
• Dell PolicyHack™ & Reception, #DellLounge, March 12, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
• Vets in Tech, Policy and Entrepreneurship, RideScout, March 13, 8:30 – 10:00 am
• Future Ready U.S. Policy Conversation & Breakfast, #DellLounge, Sunday, March 13, 9:00 – 11:00 am
• Future Ready Global Policy Conversation & Breakfast, #DellLounge, March 14, 9:00 – 11:00 am

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities including technology and entrepreneurship.  HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF’s award-winning LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) leadership and workforce development program has been recognized by The White House, U.S. Congress, Fortune 500 Companies and the Government of Mexico.  HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org).

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. The Company, a leading content creator in the U.S., includes Univision Network, one of the top five networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country available in approximately 93% of U.S. Hispanic television households; UniMás, a leading Spanish-language broadcast television network available in approximately 87% of U.S. Hispanic television households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavisión, the most-watched U.S. Spanish-language cable network, as well as UDN (Univision Deportes Network), the most-watched U.S. Spanish-language sports network, Univision tlnovelas, a 24-hour cable network dedicated to telenovelas,  ForoTV, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to international news, and an additional suite of cable offerings – De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson and Telehit; Univision Television Group, which owns 59 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; digital properties consisting of  online and mobile websites and apps, including Univision.com, the most visited Spanish-language website among U.S. Hispanics, UVideos, a bilingual digital video network and Uforia, a music application featuring multimedia music content; and Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group in the U.S. which owns and operates 67 radio stations including stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico. UCI’s assets also include a minority stake in El Rey Network, a 24-hour English-language general entertainment cable network and a joint venture with Disney/ABC Television Network for Fusion, a 24-hour English-language news and lifestyle TV and digital network. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please visit Univision.net.