Since our story on Wednesday about General Electric CEO Jeff Imelt's comments at a black business conference, the responses have poured in. We've been on the phone and emailing with GE's communications department (friendly); GE execs (firm); GE shareholders (furious); staffers at NBC Universal, MSNBC, NBC and Access Hollywood (in shock, but not surprise); and others who attended the Black Corporate Directors Conference earlier this month.

And here's the takeaway: A number of people are countering our story, but almost all of them were not at the conference, and they all happen to be GE employees. That, and we've also been told by other attendees that the way we depicted Immelt's comments was, in fact, accurate. So:

A round of applause goes out to GE, who've executed a pretty decent counter-defense to our source's claims that Immelt, in front of an audience of black corporate executives, rattled off the four groups of people he's comfortable with: 1) White men; 2) White women; 3) Black men; 4) Black women. GE execs and employees have flooded the original post's comments section, standing up for their leader and declaring him not only a non-racist, but somebody who's done more than most to bring greater diversity to the company. Official statements have made the rounds. Internally, all NBC Universal staffers received an email from the African American Forum at GE (the statement is below).

That said, additional conference attendees have reached out to us, and confirmed the version of events we originally reported. Unfortunately, there is no official transcript, nor videotape, as the conference was off-the-record (or so some assumed), which brings up plenty of questions about the pros and cons of holding such a large conversation "in private" in front of a crowd.

We've been contacted by GE shareholders (identifying themselves as both white and black) who, after reading our report, are beside themselves. (Responding to the report, one told us, "I sold my ge shares —– at a loss.") And the temperature inside NBC News and MSNBC isn't any better. We're told the black community there already feels marginalized to some degree, and Immelt's situation has only created a new talking point for anguish.

And not that GE is treating this as a small matter — because they aren't. (Why else would they be orchestrating such a masterful defense?) But in explaining all the facts and concerns to Gary Sheffer, GE's communications executive director, and Megan Parker, a GE communications specialist, our repeated requests to speak to Immelt directly — and have him deny, on the record, that he said these things — was rebuffed.

Sheffer says our "anonymous source has completely mischaracterized statements made at the conference. Now they have been rebutted by several on-the-record sources, including two African-American executives who were in the room. The host of the event, the Black Corporate Directors, also have said your source's version of events is completely misleading." (That statement is also below.)

(For what it's worth, the two black execs who say they attended the conference are former GE top-rankers and, it's safe to assume, Immelt allies.)

And without Immelt on the record, insisting unequivocally he did not make those statements — or that he did say them, but we just "mischaracterized" what he meant — perhaps that's where this issue stands.

Statement from the African American Forum, sent to all NBC Universal staffers via email yesterday afternoon:

AF Response to JOSSIP.COM Blog

On Wednesday evening, a gossip blog (jossip.com) posted a story about Jeff Immelt’s recent appearance at the Black Corporate Directors Conference.

This story is inaccurate and grossly mischaracterized Jeff and his commitment to diversity in general and to African Americans specifically.

As the AAF operating leaders, we have worked very closely with Jeff during our tenure and find the implication in this blog outrageous and simply untrue. We know Jeff’s personal commitment to improving opportunities for African Americans in our company and believe that his record over the years speaks for itself. As with most companies, we have work to do on diversity, but we would not be where we are without Jeff’s strong support and personal engagement.

As a company, we are working to set the record straight about his remarks. Our retired Vice Chairman Lloyd Trotter and former CEO of GE Equipment Services Art Harper were both attendees at the event and have placed the following response on the blog:

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As two members of the audience at the Black Corporate Directors conference, the Jossip post is a gross mischaracterization of what Jeff Immelt said and is taken completely out of context.

When asked about how he personally thinks about diversity and his personal journey to be more inclusive, Jeff used an example that he’s used many times to describe how he’s worked to expand his relationships with diverse people.

Jeff added that while previous generations seldom made efforts to break their “circle of comfort,” in their personal and professional relationships, today no GE leader gets a bye on this. At no point in this discussion did Jeff say that he does not trust African Americans!

As two African American former senior members of the GE management team and former members of the GE Corporate Executive Counsel with over 60 years of combined service in the company, we are aware that GE, like most companies, is not perfect. However, we strongly believe that GE has done much more than most in moving the ball forward on diversity and Jeff has always been a key leader in this effort!

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As members of the African American community at GE who are committed to improving our company, we hope you will join us in denouncing this mischaracterization of our chairman and his commitment to diversity.

ALFREDA BRADLEY-COAR
CLARENCE NUNN
FRANK TAYLOR

Statement from the Black Corporate Directors Conference:

As co-sponsors of the Black Corporate Directors Conference, we are compelled to respond to this recent posting and offer our informed point of view. For background, the Black Corporate Directors Conference is a seven-year-old, invitation only, private conference that brings together black corporate directors from Fortune 500 companies across the nation. The individuals that comprise this accomplished group are leaders in their fields as well as in the boardroom. In their roles as fiduciaries, they are committed to the enhancement of shareholder value. As African Americans, they are also conscious of the unique voice and perspective they bring to the boardroom.

The goal of the Black Corporate Directors Conference is to facilitate a meaningful discussion about the role of the civil rights agenda in the boardroom. The desired outcome of this dialogue is to further equality in all aspects of corporate America – from employee composition, to philanthropic spend to fairness in purchasing. To this end, we have been privileged and delighted to have leaders from our nation’s largest and most respected corporations participate in this important forum. Their attendance has enhanced the discussion, helped spread the word and ultimately affected meaningful change.

One such attendee this year was Jeffrey Immelt – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric. Contrary to the views expressed in this column, at no time did Jeff Immelt state that he did not trust black people. We respect and stand by Jeff. Likewise, we are grateful to him for taking time out of his hectic schedule to be with us to discuss his views on the importance of diversity as well as his deep commitment to building on the meaningful success of minorities – be they employees or suppliers – of GE.

Jeff’s reputation as a world-class leader of a world-class company is well-known and documented. His efforts to advance the careers and businesses of some outstanding African American leaders may not be as widely known. But these contributions were evident from his words and actions as well as the resounding support of so many who have directly benefited from his attention like GE alums Art Harper and Lloyd Trotter who were both in the room.

Truncated summaries framed without any context do not do justice to the serious dialogue that takes place amongst thoughtful people at the Black Corporate Directors Conference. They also do not do justice to Jeff Immelt, General Electric, or all of those who work to make the company great. Most important of all, they do little to augment the efforts to increase diversity which is so important to our country and our community.

Respectfully,

John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ariel Investments

Charles A. Tribbett, III, Co-Leader, CEO/Board Services Practice, Russell Reynolds Associates

Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments