Scripps grows team focused on diversity initiatives with hire of former Kroger leader

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May 21, 2019, 13:00 ET

CINCINNATI, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Larissa England has joined The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) in the newly created role of equity, diversity and inclusion business partner.

England joins Scripps' corporate equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) team that was created in April 2018 with the appointment of Danyelle S.T. Wright, vice president, employment and labor attorney, to the role of chief diversity officer.

Larissa England has joined The E.W. Scripps Company in the newly created role of equity, diversity and inclusion business partner.

"Scripps was built on the idea of giving all people equal access to news and information," said Adam Symson, president and CEO of Scripps. "In order to live out that mission, it's critical that we have employees from diverse backgrounds at the table. We are building a team that will help Scripps continue the important work of making sure we reflect the diverse audiences we serve."

England will work closely with Wright and human resources and business leadership across the company to create and implement strategies for equitable and inclusive hiring practices, vendor selection and management philosophies. England's role will include identifying and tracking key performance indicators to help Scripps meet its goals, which will be outlined in a comprehensive diversity strategy by the end of 2019.

"Scripps has shown a great commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and by growing our team dedicated to this work, we are signaling a renewed focus on evolving our companywide EDI strategy," said Wright. "Larissa has a demonstrated record in advancing diversity initiatives within the workplace and I am so pleased to add her expertise to our team."

England joined Scripps April 29 after nearly 15 years at The Kroger Company, including more than five years focused on leading workplace diversity initiatives.

England serves on the board of directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce; the steering committee for the Ohio River Valley-Women's Business Council; and on the board of directors and local advisory committee for the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Councils.

She earned a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in agricultural business and applied economics and is a native of Youngstown, Ohio.

About Scripps

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of local and national media brands. With 52 television stations in 36 markets, Scripps is one of the nation's largest independent TV station owners. Scripps runs a collection of national journalism and content businesses, including Newsy, the next-generation national news network; podcast industry leader Stitcher; the fast-growing national broadcast networks Bounce, Grit, Escape, Laff and Court TV; and Triton, the global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."