Digital Equity
From Stories to Screens: Inspiring Youth During Hispanic Heritage Month
Digital Equity
From Stories to Screens: Inspiring Youth During Hispanic Heritage Month
By Broderick Johnson and Marge Jackson
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Oct 15, 2024
This year, Comcast NBCUniversal celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month under the theme “Celebrating All That We Are (Celebrando Todo Lo Que Somos),” highlighting the diverse identities within Hispanic and Latino communities.
To kick off the month, Comcast, Xfinity, Telemundo, Universal Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation joined forces to delight nearly 200 local youth throughout the day with big surprises alongside the launch of the acclaimed animated film, The Wild Robot.
Hosted at Telemundo Center in Miami, 60 students from the Council for Opportunity in Education’s (COE) Student Support Services program at Florida International University were welcomed by Alfredo Richard, EVP of Corporate Communications at Telemundo. The students participated in a day of panel discussions and technology demonstrations featuring Hispanic industry leaders from across the company – all moderated by Lourdes Stephen, host of Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo.
During a career panel titled, “All That We Are: Latino Leaders at Comcast NBCUniversal,” Daniela Kerrat, Vice President of Multicultural Marketing and Creative at Universal Pictures; Leslie Chapman, Fellow at Comcast; and Marielaine Yepes, Vice President of Human Resources at Telemundo, shared their unique journeys as Latinas working in the technology and entertainment industries. They reflected on their own experiences and gave candid advice about feelings of impostor syndrome and how to overcome it. Most of all, they encouraged the students to take calculated risks, embrace their identities, and fearlessly pursue their passions and career goals.
In an animation workshop, Pablo Valle, Head of Lighting at DreamWorks Animation, offered the students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of bringing The Wild Robot to life on the big screen. Fabian Albarracin, Director of Real Time Graphics at Telemundo, also demonstrated the state-of-the-art technology behind the production of Telemundo programming. Students had the chance to step into the largest green screen in South Florida and immerse themselves into new worlds, including environments like a TV studio in Paris that was recently used for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These hands-on experiences ignited their creativity and enabled them to envision themselves pursuing careers in front of or behind the cameras.
“At Comcast NBCUniversal and Telemundo, we don’t just embrace diversity; we fuel our innovation with it,” said Alfredo Richard, EVP of Corporate Communications at Telemundo. “Cross-company partnerships like this allow us to weave the rich threads of Hispanic cultures into everyday life, ensuring that our traditions and values are remembered and celebrated vigorously.”
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Daniela Kerrat, Vice President of Multicultural Marketing and Creative at Universal Pictures; Leslie Chapman, Fellow at Comcast; and Marielaine Yepes, Vice President of Human Resources at Telemundo, participating in the career panel titled, “All That We Are: Latino Leaders at Comcast NBCUniversal.”
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Pablo Valle, Head of Lighting at DreamWorks Animation, giving students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of bringing The Wild Robot to life on the big screen.
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Fabian Albarracin, Director of Real Time Graphics at Telemundo, demonstrating the state-of-the-art technology behind the production of Telemundo programming, with the largest green screen in South Florida.
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To make the day even more memorable, Lupita Nyong’o, Academy Award-winning actress and star of The Wild Robot film, dropped by to surprise all the participating students. She also helped distribute brand-new Dell laptops to each of them, a huge surprise courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal, Xfinity, and Telemundo. Just like the character ROZ, Lupita encouraged the students to find their own “superpower” and to use technology to pursue their dreams.
“I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude to have been a part of this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, especially when we were surprised by Lupita and the laptops,” said Yadira Merino Romero, Senior International Business Major at Florida International University. “As a first-generation student, I grew up in a household where we only had one computer. To receive my own laptop, I feel so empowered to take on the professional world after graduation.”
Broderick Johnson, Marge Jackson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Lourdes Stephen on stage to announce a surprise laptop donation to the guest students from Florida International University.
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“I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude to have been a part of this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, especially when we were surprised by Lupita and the laptops,” said Yadira Merino Romero, Senior International Business Major at Florida International University. “As a first-generation student, I grew up in a household where we only had one computer. To receive my own laptop, I feel so empowered to take on the professional world after graduation.”
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Comcast leaders Marge Jackson, Broderick Johnson, Jackie Guerry Maybeck, Jeff Buzzelli and Michelle Oyola McGovern celebrate with the first-generation college students from the TRIO program.
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The day culminated in an final event with more than 100 elementary and middle school students from our nonprofit partners where we offer free WiFi as part of our Lift Zone program, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s the Hank Kline Club. After enjoying an exclusive screening of The Wild Robot, Lupita Nyong’o made a second surprise appearance to the excited students. Together, we gifted the students their very own copy of The Wild Robot book and a brand-new, free Dell laptop to help them with their own education.
Broderick Johnson and Lupita Nyong’o surprise students from the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade County with books and laptops after a private screening of The Wild Robot.
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“This incredible contribution is more than just a gift of technology; it is an investment in the future of our youth,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “The excitement on the kids' faces was undeniable as they realized the doors this gift is opening for them. You are empowering our youth by providing access to essential technology, education, and skills, helping shape the future of the next generation."
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Broderick Johnson with student from the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade County.
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Through Project UP – Comcast’s cross-company commitment to advance digital equity – we continue to uplift our communities and create a world of unlimited possibilities.
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When our companies come together – Comcast, Telemundo, Universal Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation – we bring to life magical moments. Working together through Project UP – our cross-company commitment to advance digital equity – we continue to uplift our communities and create a world of unlimited possibilities. As we close out Hispanic Heritage Month, these events have enabled us to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the futures of students who, despite unique challenges, hold the promise of enriching our society.
Broderick D. Johnson is Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast Corporation.
Marge Jackson is Senior Vice President, Sales & Multicultural Shared Service for Comcast Cable.
