CNBC, the world leader in business news, was 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 will be participating throughout the day, including “Squawk Box” anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin, Becky Quick, and Joe Kernen. Logos on CNBC, CNBC.com and the network’s social media handles have also turned purple.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are key components of everything that we do at CNBC, which includes supporting the millions of LBGTQ+ youth from around the world,” said Ryan Ruggiero, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for CNBC. “For the past ten years, CNBC has been a leader and proud supporter of Spirit Day and we look forward to bringing our community together once again to lead the charge and help put a stop to bullying for all.”
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.
This year, CNBC is also airing a Spirit Day spot amplifying their support for LGBTQ youth along with the OUT@NBCUNIVERSAL Employee Resource Group!
Today CNBC and @NBCUniversal are going purple to take a stand and raise awareness against bullying and support LGBTQ youth on #SpiritDay. #prideNBCU pic.twitter.com/8S4LxQgCxq
— CNBC (@CNBC) October 15, 2020
#SpiritDay underway down under – and more important now than ever…no-one should ever be marginalised for who they are…wear your purple and show your #prideNBCU and support for #LGBTQ youth @cnbci @CNBC pic.twitter.com/ImUmipYRYL
— Will Koulouris (@WillKoulouris) October 14, 2020
Purple Power to stand up against bullying. Showing full support of on #SpiritDay #PrideNBCU #GLAAD @CNBCi pic.twitter.com/1wS1bMiEfz
— Emily Chan Tan (@EmilyCNBC) October 14, 2020
Jon Fortt
Andrew Ross Sorkin
Eunice Yoon
Seema Mody
CNBC “Squawk Box” 
NBC News’ Steve Kornacki
“Squawk Box” anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin, Becky Quick, and Joe Kernen
Sara Eisen
Shepard Smith
Frank Holland
Brian Sullivan
Dominic Chu
Julia Boorstin
Kate Rooney
Wilfred Frost
Arjun Kharpal – Squawk Box Asia
Dan Murphy – Capital Connection, Squawk Box and Street Signs
Street Signs Asia
Karen Tso and Steve Sedgwick – CNBC Squawk Box Europe
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 partners Delta Air Lines, Kellogg Company, and Target, official partners Amazon, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Council, and Skittles, as well as community partners Kirkland & Ellis, NBA & WNBA will all participate in 2020 Spirit Day.
In 2020, Spirit Day takes on a renewed importance due to the unprecedented challenges facing LGBTQ youth. This year, many LGBTQ youth are beginning the school year at home and are unable to attend in-person meetings of Gay-Straight Alliances, Gender-Sexuality Alliances or on-campus college LGBTQ organizations. Some LGBTQ youth may be confined to a home environment that may be unsupportive or abusive. Calls to The Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ youth have at times more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
This year, Spirit Day is on October 15, 2020. Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday. Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.