Darius Robinson: Mentorship in Action

As Account Manager of Enterprise Direct Sales, Darius Robinson is an integral contributor to Comcast Cable’s team. He is a strong proponent of mentorship and social responsibility and heavily involved in Comcast’s year-round employee engagement program Team UP, the Black Employee Network (BEN) Employee Resource Group (ERG) in the Greater Chicago Region, and is an active member of nearly every ERG at Comcast. Read excerpts from the interview and learn more about Darius below.

You’re in a fairly new role at Comcast. Can you tell us a little bit about it? What does your day to day look like?

I became an Enterprise Account Manager in August of this year. I manage a portfolio of mid-market clients, and as part of my role, I develop strategic account plans, identify opportunities, and ensure customer satisfaction. My day to day consists of working closely with cross functional teams to develop tailored solutions for each client while also leveraging my project management skills to ensure that the work gets done.

You started out as an employee at a Xfinity retail location. Are there any lessons from that experience that you’ve carried with you?

Absolutely. Starting in retail as a store manager gave me a foundational understanding of customer centricity, putting people first. The experience taught me how to provide tailored solutions and build long-lasting relationships with customers. Those lessons translate directly to my current job, where developing trust with clients is essential. My retail experience also taught me the importance of resilience, empathy, and understanding the human aspect of the business.

How did you become involved with the Black Employee Network Employee Resource Group at Comcast?

My involvement with the Black Employee Network was driven by my belief in the power of diverse perspectives and the importance of creating a workplace where everyone feels like they belong. As the Community Impact Lead for BEN in the Greater Chicago Region, I’m in charge of developing partnerships with different organizations that create educational, volunteer, and networking events for the ERG. Through my experience with BEN, I saw firsthand how fostering an inclusive environment can lead to a stronger team and drive better results.

It's an honor to contribute to a network that uplifts employees and strengthens Comcast’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s work I’ve been passionate about prior to this leadership role, and even before coming to Comcast.

You’re also leading Team UP volunteer projects for the ERG. Can you tell us how that came about?

I’m inspired by Comcast’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility. I realize how essential it is for businesses to engage with its communities, and volunteering through Team UP allows me to bring that same community-driven mindset that I’ve always had to work. It’s also been a great opportunity for me to collaborate with my colleagues and expose them to our ERGs, who are often the driving force behind Team UP events. The experience helps create new initiatives and real impact.

Are there any specific Team UP events that stand out to you?

During my first week transitioning into my current role, my new team participated in Cradles to Crayons’ annual Backpack-A-Thon at the Wintrust Arena where the Chicago Sky Play. More than 50 Comcast volunteers worked alongside others to pack 35,000 backpacks with brand-new school supplies for Chicago-area students. It was an awesome experience because my first time meeting my team was giving back at a massive capacity – and since then I’ve participated in many more Team UP events.

Outside of Comcast, you volunteer at Youth Guidance and are currently working to develop a partnership between Team UP and iMentor Chicago. Why is mentorship so important to you?

I have a strong belief that mentorship is transformative, especially for young people from underserved communities. I’ve volunteered with Youth Guidance for over 12 years, and I’ve seen the difference that mentorship can make in helping high school juniors and seniors grow and develop their careers.

I see a great opportunity to create a bridge between Team UP and iMentor Chicago to provide guidance and resources to enable more students to envision their future. We have very smart individuals at Comcast, who have been in the shoes of the students, and can help them navigate college and corporate jobs.

Representation is important within mentorship as well. It can be difficult for people who look like me to see themselves and their aspirations reflected in the workforce. I want them to see me and think, “I could do that.”