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Multicultural Business Conference Honors Leaders

March 7, 2003

Southport, CT /diversitybusiness.com/ Carol Ann Hurley started a telecommunications business out of her East Providence, R.I., home with just $1,000 and plenty of determination.

Now, her EBS ECONOTEL Business Systems Inc. is one of the largest independent telecommunications companies in Rhode Island.

"You have to be motivated," Hurley said. "You only learn by failing. Every day is a challenge when you have a business."

Hurley and her husband, William, now employ 25 people in East Providence and have business connections throughout the world.

Hurley was one of about 700 companies who attended the third annual Div2000.com Multicultural Business Conference at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The conference offers development and networking opportunities for corporate CEOs, women and minority entrepreneurs, government decision-makers and national experts on business diversity.

Hurley said she attended the conference so she can offer advice to people trying to launch businesses.

"I saw an opportunity to make a difference," she said. "I like to teach others to S.T.R.I.V.E -- Start small, Think tall, Reach over all obstacles, Invest everything you have, Visualize, Expect the ride of your life."

Hurley also saw the conference as an opportunity to promote her business.

And that's exactly one of the goals of the Div2000.com conference, said Odetta Rogers-Clarke, director of corporate relations for Div2000.com.

Southport-based Div2000.com is the nation's most comprehensive online resource center for small businesses and large procurement organizations. It is a membership-based exchange platform that facilitates contact, streamlines business processes and provides vital business news and information.

"It's a win-win for corporations and for our members," said Rogers-Clarke.

"It brings them to the table and opens up a dialogue."

The conference targeted women, minority-owned businesses and major corporations.

"It certainly is of interest for corporate America to keep an eye on the people they sell to," said Rogers-Clarke. "Minorities are a major component of the buying market. The fact that the businesses are out here today indicates that diversity is an important initiative."

Many speakers from various fields in the business industry spoke Thursday, including Herschel Herndon, Vice President of Talent Relations and Chief Diversity Officer at Best Buy, Bruce Gordon, President of Verizon, Joyce Tucker, Chief Diversity Officer of the Boeing Company, Mariam Mulley, Director Diversity Marketing & Sales General Motors, Theo Fletcher, Vice President Procurement IBM and other corporate executives.

Herndon told audience members they must market their products and services to the minority community. He said studies show that the multicultural household income is growing substantially faster than the white household income. Studies also have found that 76 percent of Hispanics and 64 percent of Asians will sustain a relationship with a company that they can communicate with, Herndon said.

"The strategies, the communication, the way we do business has to change drastically," he added.

Ms. Gloria Bohan, CEO and founder of Omega Travel, Fairfax Virginia was named the “Top Diversity Owned Business” in America. Gloria founded Omega World Travel in 1972, and since that time has transformed her one-person office into a $680 million travel agency with more than 200 company-owned offices and 1000 employees worldwide.

The event also honored America’s "Top 50 Corporations for Multicultural Business Opportunities" (Div50). America’s leading women and minority owned businesses voted IBM as the number one company.

Over 150-thousand women and minority owned businesses had the opportunity to vote in the online election held last December. Fortune 500 companies were selected for the awards based on business opportunities they provide to diversity owned businesses.

"The Div50 award is the most prestigious honor a corporation can achieve," said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Div2000.com."Nearly all other awards are produced by organizations where the winners are typically members or are major contributors. Our list is totally independent."

The Div50 annual list is produced by Div2000.com the nations leading multicultural b2b Internet portal that links large organizational buyers and multicultural business owners. A complete list of the winners is available at: http://www.diversitybusiness.com/div50

Other companies leading the list were: Wal-Mart, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Microsoft, Verizon, Dell Computer, General Motors, GE and Microsoft.

Complete conference information is available at: www.diversitybusiness.com/awards

About Div2000.com

Launched in 1999, Div2000.com is the largest organization of diversity owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 500 companies, Government agencies and Colleges and Universities. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its site content and design.

Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) produces Div2000.com. The Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2001 presented its annual award for the Nation's Top Diversity owned business to CCA for its development of Div2000.com and its commitment to business development for Diversity business owners.

About CCA

Award-winning consulting firm Computer Consulting Associates International, Inc. (CCAii) provides professional IT services to Fortune 500. Founded in 1980 by CEO Kenton Clarke, CCAii is the largest African-American owned computer-consulting firm in New England. Throughout its 23 years, CCAii has garnered many national awards by entities such as the Small Business Administration, Ernst & Young and Black Enterprise Magazine. The company is headquartered in Southport, Connecticut.

Press Contact:
Odetta Rogers, Director of Communications
Div2000.com
orogers@ccaii.com

Source: Div2000.com

 

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