Verizon is increasing its spending with Black-owned media companies based in the U.S., starting with a new partnership with Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group. According to a press release, the two entities have joined forces to launch a new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative for a Black-owned media summit scheduled for May that will help Verizon reach its goal. “I’m very proud of Verizon, one of the largest advertisers in the world, coming to the table to make sure we have real economic inclusion for Black-owned media,” Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group, shared in a press statement. “The biggest trade deficit in our nation is the trade deficit between corporate America and Black America, and we must close that gap immediately.” John Nitti — Chief Media Officer at Verizon — shared his thoughts about how the company has been working toward increasing its DEI efforts to help the industry as a whole progress. “Verizon has been working to address diversity,...