UNITY Initiative for more Diversity in Top Media Management.

More journalists of color need to be in executive-level management positions in newsrooms across the country, according to UNITY: Journalists of Color. At the UNITY ’08 national convention that begins here tomorrow and runs through July 27, the organization will unveil a bold new plan, “Ten by 2010: Transforming Journalism Through Diversity Leadership.”

The goal of “Ten by 2010” is to have 10 media companies commit to selecting at least one high-potential manager of color and to promote that employee to a senior management position by midyear 2010. Participants will receive customized training to help prepare them for specific senior level positions.

“As our nation becomes increasingly diverse, it is essential that we have managers in key positions who understand the nature and the importance of diversity,” said UNITY President Karen Lincoln Michel. “That is true in terms of overall news coverage, as well as in the areas of recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion.”

“With more than 50 percent of the population projected to be people of color in less than a generation, it is unthinkable that the nation’s news organizations continue to generate dismal diversity numbers year after year,” said Michel. “‘Ten by 2010’ is a significant step in the right direction.”