CHESAPEAKE, Va., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, March 29, Cox Communications will be presented with a Distinguished Merit Citation from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) organization. This presentation will occur at VCIC's 48th Annual Humanitarian Awards program to be held at the Waterside Marriott, 235 East Main Strfaeet in Norfolk, and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Cox received this recognition from VCIC for the company's diversity engagement practices in Hampton Roads and throughout the state.  Specific items noted by VCIC are as follows:

• Community Engagement: Cox's commitment to diversity extends beyond the workplace into the Hampton Roads community. Social responsibility — with an emphasis on supporting youth, education and environmental sustainability — lies at the heart of Cox's values.
• Supplier Diversity: Cox actively seeks diverse suppliers through its membership in the National Minority Supplier Development Council and its affiliates. Cultivating supplier diversity is very important to Cox.
• Diversity Partnerships: Building partnerships with organizations representing diverse groups has allowed Cox to reach its social responsibility objectives more broadly. Cox has partnerships with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Hampton Roads; the Urban League of Hampton Roads; the Filipino-American Unity Organization; the Asian-Indians of Hampton Roads, and many others in the company's efforts to strengthen its diverse community partnerships.

Gary McCollum, Cox Senior Vice President and General Manager, said, "Connecting with the communities we serve is an important part of our operations and is at the core of our company values. In the past year alone, our cash and in-kind donations to community causes have exceeded $10 million."

Others being recognized at the upcoming event are: Kate A. Broderick, Faculty and Community Liaison in the Office of Educational Accessibility at Old Dominion University; Maurice A. Jones, Publisher of The Virginian-Pilot; Rosalin Mandelberg, Rabbi at Ohef Sholom Temple; and Bruce Rader, long-time Sports Director of WAVY-TV and WVBT-TV.

For more information, contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or felicia.blow@cox.com.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women, by women, in Cable Telecommunications; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

Founded in 1935 as the Virginia Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the organization has presented humanitarian awards annually in the Tidewater area for 48 years. The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities promotes understanding and respect on all issues of diversity for all age groups all across Virginia. Since 2006, the number of programs conducted by VCIC has increased by an impressive 300%. Locally, the 77-year-old organization delivers programs to educators and students in Hampton Roads through its Connections Institute and Diversity Dialogue Day programs, as well as professional development workshops for educators and community organizations. VCIC also co-sponsors the NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue Series.

SOURCE Cox Communications