Cox Hampton Roads Receives Coveted 2010 ACC Beacon Award©

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The national Association of Cable Communicators has announced that Cox Communications of Virginia is a winner in the 2010 Beacon Awards© competition.  Sponsored by the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC), the national Beacon Awards competition recognizes excellence in communications and public affairs throughout the cable industry.

Cox won for the creation of its Hampton Roads Black List, a compilation of stories of trial and triumph of African-Americans from the Greater Hampton Roads region who have broken barriers in their lifetime.  This documentary is based on an award-winning HBO documentary entitled Black List Volume II also featuring prominent African Americans. Hampton Roads Black List Honorees represent a dynamic group of individuals who have made great contributions to the region and include the following:

• Dr. L.D. Britt:  Leader in healthcare and the first African-American in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be appointed Professor of Surgery
• Dr. Mary Christian: Advocate for youth empowerment and education, and among the first African-American delegates to the Virginia House of Delegates
• Barbara Ciara: Ground breaker in media and communications
• Father Joseph Green: Community leader and pioneer in racial equality serving as one of the first persons of color to serve on the Norfolk City Council
• E.L. Hamm: Pioneer in technical business consulting and management, and renowned humanitarian and philanthropist
• The Honorable Yvonne Miller: First African-American woman elected to the Senate and House of Delegates of Virginia
• Bruce Smith: NFL hall-of-famer and humanitarian
• Dr. Patricia Turner: Member of the Norfolk 17 and education leader in Hampton Roads
• Patricia White: Member of the Norfolk 17 and education pioneer in the Greater Hampton Roads

Cox Communications Vice President Gary McCollum commented that "After HBO's Virginia premiere of Black List Volume II, we began thinking of all the great leaders and powerful advocates of change within our region. With HBO's permission, we thought it quite fitting to document their stories. We thank our local honorees for allowing us to tell their compelling stories."

From the hundreds of entries received in this year's Beacon Award competition, 46 winners were chosen by cable communications professionals in an extensive two-phase judging process.  The numbers of entries represent company initiatives implemented over the past year, in areas such as community relations and public service announcements.

The winners of the 2010 Beacon Awards were announced during the Beacon Awards Ceremony & Luncheon on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at the Hilton New York.  The Beacon Awards Ceremony concluded ACC's annual conference FORUM 2010: Competition Everywhere held September 15-16 in New York City.

For more information, please contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or [email protected].

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless 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 ACC

The Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) is the only national, professional organization specifically addressing the issues, needs and interests of the cable industry's communications and public affairs professionals. Formally known as the Cable Television Public Affairs Association (CTPAA), its mission is to develop and promote cable communications excellence through professional development to help achieve industry and corporate goals. ACC works to enhance each member's status and influence through skill building and professional development. For more information on ACC, go to www.cablecommunicators.org

SOURCE Cox Communications