CNBC, the world leader in business news, was once again the first news network to kick off GLAAD’s Spirit Day this year when CNBC talent and staff in Asia and Australia participated on-air and tweeted #SpiritDay messages. CNBC reporters and anchors are participating throughout the day, including out anchor Shepard Smith, “Squawk Box” Co-Anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin, Becky Quick, and “TechCheck” Co-Anchor Jon Fortt. CNBC anchors and reporters donned purple attire today during the CNBC Disruptor 50 Summit and logos on CNBC, CNBC.com and the network’s social handles have also turned purple.
“For the past 11 years, CNBC has been proud to honor and support Spirit Day. Diversity, equity and inclusion is an integral part of everything we do at CNBC and we continue to showcase that through our news coverage. We support the millions of LBGTQ+ youth around the world and stand with those who are bullied for being their true selves,” said Ryan Ruggiero, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for NBCU News Group.
CNBC’s Spirit Day participation follows the recent launch of CNBC’s new global brand, Equity and Opportunity, that brings diverse perspectives and issues to CNBC’s news coverage, focusing on individuals and organizations leading the way on matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Purple symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag and CNBC joins a host of news networks and programs that show their support for LGBTQ youth by going purple on Spirit Day. CNBC, which has participated each year since Spirit Day began in 2010, raises the #SpiritDay bar by including staff from around the world and messages of LGBTQ acceptance across its programming throughout the day. Through their engagement in Spirit Day and coverage of LGBTQ issues throughout the year, the network has become a leader in growing visibility and support for LGBTQ people in the business world.
Last night, “The News with Shepard Smith” shared the powerful story of a gay couple in Milton, Massachusetts who raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Gender-Sexuality Alliance in their local high school and middle school after a series of letters with anti-gay slurs were mailed to their home.
Today is #SpiritDay: People across the nation are showing support for LGBTQ+ kids and are raising awareness on the bullying they face. @perryrussom has the story of a Massachusetts couple who is using their own experience with harassment to fight bullying in schools. pic.twitter.com/ZMFvLqTq85
— The News with Shepard Smith (@thenewsoncnbc) October 22, 2021
Jim Fitterling, the out Chairman and CEO of Dow, also shared a message about diversity & inclusion in the workplace after his appearance on “Closing Bell.”
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately bullied and harassed because “they’re different.”
That’s why I’m wearing purple for #SpiritDay — because solving the world’s toughest challenges requires diverse thinking.
To that next generation of problem solvers: We want you on #TeamDow. pic.twitter.com/8tS9iApRED
— Jim Fitterling (@JimFitterling) October 21, 2021
See photos of more CNBC participation below!
In full support of #SpiritDay Standing up against bullying. Supporting diversity, equity & inclusion. Purple symbolizes spirit in the Rainbow flag. #prideNBCU @CNBCi pic.twitter.com/6x3GOdJA4F
— Emily Chan Tan (@EmilyCNBC) October 21, 2021
Thank you, Brian! We have an amazing team at CNBC that comes together every year! #prideNBCU #SpiritDay https://t.co/BbM907n94F
— Ryan Ruggiero (@RyanRuggiero) October 21, 2021
#SpiritDay under way from the land down under – show your support & be an ally to young people who are marginalized in the #LGBTQ community #prideNBCU @CNBC @CNBCi pic.twitter.com/wVBDQndgWG
— Will Koulouris (@WillKoulouris) October 20, 2021
CNBC Squawk Box Co-Anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin, Becky Quick and Worldwide Exchange and Senior National Correspondent Brian Sullivan
CNBC TechCheck Co-Anchor Jon Fortt
Shepard Smith
Perry Russom, CNBC Correspondent
CNBC Closing Bell Co-Anchors Wilfred Frost and Sara Eisen
CNBC Worldwide Exchange and Senior National Correspondent Brian Sullivan
CNBC General Assignment Reporter Rahel Solomon
CNBC Squawk on the Street Co-Anchor David Faber
CNBC Senior White House Correspondent Kayla Tausche
CNBC Fast Money Halftime Report Host Scott Wapner and Senior Markets Correspondent Bob Pisani
CNBC Global Markets Reporter and Host of Trading Nation Seema Mody
CNBC Markets Reporter Pippa Stevens
CNBC Senior Health and Science Reporter Meg Tirrell
CNBC General Assignment Reporter Frank Holland
CNBC Squawk on the Street Co-Anchor Morgan Brennan
CNBC Squawk Box Co-Anchor Becky Quick
CNBC Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon
CNBC Senior Media and Entertainment Correspondent Julia Boorstin
CNBC Senior Markets Commentator Michael Santoli and General Assignment Reporter Kristina Partsinevelos
CNBC Senior Congressional Correspondent Ylan Mui
CNBC On-Air Editor Rick Santelli and CNBC Real Estate Correspondent Diana Olick
CNBC International Senior Correspondent Emily Tan
CNBC International Reporter and Anchor Will Koulouris
CNBC International Asia Technology Correspondent Arjun Kharpal
CNBC International Anchor and Reporter Julianna Tatelbaum
CNBC Senior Economics Reporter Steve Liesman
CNBC General Assignment Reporter Kristina Partsinevelos
CNBC Fast Money Host Melissa Lee
About Spirit Day:
Each year, millions go purple for GLAAD’s Spirit Day to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan in response to numerous young LGBTQ lives lost to suicide, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, and advocates around the world, all joining together to stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth.
Presenting sponsors Target, Visible, and Wells Fargo, official sponsors NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Porsche Cars North America Inc., Sally Hansen, and Mars Wrigley’s SKITTLES, and community sponsors Amazon, Kellogg Company, Kirkland & Ellis, National Basketball Association & Women’s National Basketball Association, NFL, Nike, and Shutterfly will all participate in Spirit Day.
In 2021, Spirit Day takes on a renewed importance due to the unprecedented challenges facing LGBTQ youth. Over the last year and a half, many LGBTQ youth have not been in school, unable to attend in-person meetings of Gay-Straight Alliances, Gender-Sexuality Alliances or on-campus colleges LGBTQ organizations. During this time, LGBTQ youth have also become increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of cyberbullying, specifically with heightened levels of anti-LGBTQ hate and harassment on social media. Some LGBTQ youth may be confined to a home environment that may be unsupportive or abusive. As well, an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ bills in state legislatures specifically targeting trans and nonbinary youth have been in the news. Calls to The Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ youth have at times more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday. Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.