(Photo: Wikicommons)

Earlier this year, the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairman Steve Israel had a bit of a dustup after the New York lawmaker told the group that its support wasn’t essential to the party’s strategy to regain control of the House in 2012. Since then, the two sides have made peace and are working together on ways to provide financial support for CBC re-election campaigns, diversify the party apparatus and ensure that minority contractors participate in next year’s convention.

This week, the DCCC and the Democratic National Committee announced that they’ve appointed US Cellular executive Greg Hinton to serve as its first-ever chief diversity officer. He also will advise the Democratic National Convention Committee on diversity staffing and minority procurement.

“Our party is stronger because of our diversity, and in this new role I will be working to make sure we are harnessing our diverse experiences and points of view in the most effective way possible,” Hinton said in a statement.  “I am honored to be doing this work on behalf of the president and the Democratic Party and believe this new position is a reflection of the Party’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.” 

Hinton, who will start his new job on Oct. 24, has worked as a diversity officer for other organizations, including Abbott Labs and Pepsi General Bottlers, and has developed and implemented diversity and inclusion programs from both the supplier diversity and human resources perspectives.

“The Democratic Party has long been dedicated to including talented people who reflect the diversity of our great country, and Greg will bring his talents to bear as we make sure we are living up to that commitment,” said DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “I’m proud we’re taking this critical step forward and look forward to working closely with Greg as we strive to take our values of inclusion and strength through diversity to the next level.”