Goal is one-third Hispanic, African-American workforce
Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure reportedly wants more diversity at his company. At a Hispanic national convention in Kansas City, he set a goal for his company to have one-third of its workforce made up of Hispanic and African-American employees, according to the Kansas City Star.
“I have made it a very clear point that I want one-third of our employees and our management team to be Hispanic or of African-American descent,” the Bolivian-born carrier head said to a crowd at the La Raza National Convention in Kansas City. “It’s not because we need to fill a quota. It’s because I’m certain that we will understand the needs of our customers better.”
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Claure said more than a third of the carrier’s customers are of the two minority groups.
After telling his own tale, Claure added, “I want to prove that we Hispanics are as capable as anybody else to lead a major corporation,” he told the audience. “I also know that if I fail, the journey will be much harder for those who follow.”
Sprint spokeswoman, Melinda Tiemeyer, later clarified the company’s stance on the comments saying they are the CEO’s vision for the company and “it’s not a policy.”
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She said the comments were aimed at giving the company a better understanding of its customers rather than specific hiring goals.
Claure said the goal is “the one that keeps me full of energy and hope.” He wants to help lead the growth of Hispanic business leaders.
He ended his remarks like any true salesman, half-jokingly pitching the audience to aid the cause by becoming Sprint customers.
Sprint was the host-city sponsor of the event that was also attended by presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley and Hilary Clinton.