Judith Light, left, and Jeffrey Tambor, right, attend the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --
Kelly Ripa, John Oliver and Thomas Roberts are among the recipients of the 26th annual GLAAD Media Awards.
The awards honor those who further GLAAD's mission of ensuring that stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are heard through media outlets.
A presentation ceremony was set for Saturday night in New York. Other honorees included Time magazine, The Salt Lake Tribune, Univision.com and Sports Illustrated.
Ripa received GLAAD's Excellence in Media award for her discussion and interviews with LGBT guests and supporters on the talk show "Live! with Kelly and Michael."
"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" was honored as best talk show episode for a segment on Ugandan transgender activist Pepe Julian Onziema.
TV journalist and anchor Roberts received the Vito Russo Award, named for GLAAD's co-founder and presented to an out LGBT media figure who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
