Twitter boosts board diversity with BET CEO

SAN FRANCISCO — Making good on its pledge to increase the diversity of its board, Twitter has appointed its first black director: prominent media executive Debra L. Lee, chairman and chief executive officer of BET Networks.

"Debra's addition strengthens our board immensely," Omid Kordestani, Twitter’s executive chairman, said in a statement. "She’s a highly respected leader in the media industry with decades of experience, and has a clear passion for Twitter as a service and a company."

Lee brings valuable experience in the entertainment industry and a track record of creating programming for African Americans to the Twitter board.

Lee joined BET in 1986 and became chairman and CEO in January 2006. BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, is home to Black Entertainment Television, a chief source of programming for the African-American community. She also serves on the boards of Marriott International and WGL Holdings, an energy company.

Twitter has been heavily criticized by those outside and inside the company for the striking lack of women and minorities in its ranks, especially African Americans. More than a quarter of black Internet users in the U.S. are on Twitter, a rate higher than other ethnic groups, according to a 2013 study by the Pew Research Center. And "Black Twitter" — the flow of conversation about issues that matter to this online community — has become a cultural force capable of influencing the national dialogue and the course of events.

"Debra Lee is uniquely qualified to serve on Twitter's board. She has a depth of experience in media and has solid roots in the black community," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has pressed Twitter to diversify its ranks at all levels of the company. "This is a positive move on Twitter's part and hopefully Debra will help Twitter create needed pathways and improve its engagement with African Americans and other communities of color."

Twitter began taking fire for its mostly white male board before its November 2013 initial public offering. In response, publishing industry executive Marjorie Scardino became the first woman director, and former Google executive Omid Kordestani, who is Iranian-American, joined the board.

Since then Kordestani has been overhauling the board. Last month he appointed Internet entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox and Pepsi’s chief financial officer Hugh Johnston, to replace Silicon Valley veteran Peter Currie and media executive Peter Chernin.

Twitter adds two board members amid struggles, lack of diversity

At the time Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey promised Twitter would make additional appointments to boost the diversity of the board.

"More additions to the board soon, ones that will bring diversity and represent the strong communities on Twitter. This matters & is a must," he tweeted.

Twitter also announced Monday that Scardino was appointed lead independent director, succeeding Currie. Her appointment takes effect following Twitter's annual meeting.