Celebrating small business partnerships: companies salute their partnerships with African American suppliers.

Ms. Johnnie B. Booker

Director of Supplier Diversity 

The Coca Cola Company

Mr. David Harris 

Chief Executive Officer

BESTSTAFF

THE COCA COLA COMPANY

In 2000, Doug Daft and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company, reinforced the Company's 20-year commitment to supplier diversity for the world's largest marketer and producer of non-alcoholic beverages. With a mission to maximize procurement opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses, our reinforced commitment charged us with a goal of spending $800 million with minority- and women-owned suppliers over five years.

We are building on that commitment new partnerships with companies like Houston, Texas-based BESTSTAFF, a staffing services company. BESTSTAFF recently became one of The Coca-Cola Company's largest African American-owned suppliers. "This is an awesome opportunity for BESTSTAFF to work with The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage company. We are confident that this partnership will help us to grow and strengthen our business," said David Harris, Chief Executive Officer, BESTSTAFF.

Established in 1993 and certified as an African American female-owned business BESTSTAFF provides staffing services to The Coca-Cola Company's mentoring program.

Partnerships with diverse suppliers, like BESTSTAFF, help The Coca-Cola Company develop stronger local communities, while creating long-term growth and competitive advantage for our Company and bottling partners. All Company employees who directly or indirectly influence purchasing and contracting decisions are required to participate in Supplier Diversity training, which has contributed to our Success by developing a strong team of champions and advocates. "Our Company and our suppliers can truly benefit from partnerships with diverse suppliers, which mirror the diversity of our consumers and the communities we serve. BESTSTAFF is one such partnership that we have developed with minority and women owned business," said Johnnie B. Booker, director of Supplier Diversity, The Coca-Cola Company.

For more information about supplier diversity at The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.coke.net/supplierdiversity

Mr. Oscar Worthy

President

Oscar's Ltd.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 

Major League Baseball has been at the forefront of supplier diversity within sports. In 1998 Commisioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig authorized the establishment of MLB's Diverse Business Partners (DBP) Program. Baseball's DBP Program is an economically driven initiative designed to support key strategic objectives for its Central Office and Major League Clubs. According to Wendy Lewis, Vice President of Strategic Planning fro Recruitment and Diversity, "Our program is designed to promote efficiency and profitability while extending Major League Baseball's ability to contribute to the economic strength and viability of diverse communities. We desire to strengthen our fanbase and our relationships with our business partners."

MLB has spent over $300 million dollars with thousands of minority and women business owners. One of those business owners is Oscar A. Worthy, President of Oscar's Ltd. Oscar's Ltd. provides distinct and unique gift-giving products to corporations and individuals. For over a decade Oscar has provided a long list of companies' distinctive gifts, corporate recognition awards and employee incentive products. He is considered a preferred vendor or the Pittsburgh Pirates. Oscar's company has produced a number of specialty items for the Pirates, his most memorable piece is the commemorative key ring for the ball club's final game at Three Rivers Stadium. Other items produced for the Pittsburgh franchises include gift bags and "high end" luggage sets.

Oscar Worthy attributes his success to this principal, ,Being in business for yourself has a lot of merit because it forces you to be a disciplinarian. It's about integrity and being a professional." He is rely pleased with his relationship with the Pirates and looks to expand his business within Major League Baseball and other professional sports. His business is providing memorable moments for others through his vast inventory of products, however one of his most memorable moments was provided to him by his 83-year-old father while attending a Pirates baseball game. Mr. Oscar Worthy Sr. had the pleasure of meeting the legendary Negro Leaguer, John Buck O'Neil. Oscar Sr. describes that meeting as "one of the best times of his life."

Mr. Michael K. Pearson

President

Union Packaging

WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. A Win Win with Wendy's International, Inc.

"What have you done to benefit your community"? That question, asked by a father of his son, was the impetus for Michael Pearson to bring an idea he'd had for some time to fruition. Working in the packaging industry for a giant, Mike saw an opportunity for a high quality, competitive manufacturer of pre-formed and glued packaging to serve the QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) Industry. So, when Mike opened Union Packaging in 1999, his sales calls to major corporations, like Wendy's International, Inc., meant more than just making money. It also meant jobs for people in his community.

Mike's father had the kind of job that has disappeared in many U.S. cities. Skilled and semi-skilled manufacturing jobs that allowed people to build communities, raise families and provide better futures for their children. Today, Union Packaging and the community of Yeadon are important to Wendy's. Union is a valued supplier and the employees are Wendy's customers.

Supplier Diversity at Wendy's is not simply a transaction. At Wendy's, diverse vendors supply some of Wendy's core products ... what customer's worldwide see and eat in the restaurants. Minority suppliers like Union Packaging and Wendy's partner to provide customers the quality products for which Wendy's is known: Union Packaging is a minority-controlled joint venture between Providence Packaging and Dopaco. Providence was rounded in 1997, by Michael Pearson. Dopaco s a major manufacturer of folding cartons in the U.S. & Canada.

Wendy's International, Inc. is one of the largest restaurant and franchising companies in the world. Wendy's International's quality brands are Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Tim Hortons and Baja Fresh.

For questions or additional information contact: Cynthia Cooper, Manager Diversity & Ethics, Wendy's International 614/764-3307.

Ms. Bernie Rohe

President & Chief Designer

Bernie's of New York 

NORDSTROM

Nordstrom joins BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine in honoring and promoting the success of African American smallbusiness owners.

Nordstrom would like to recognize Bernie Rohe, owner of Bernie's of New York. We are delighted that we have the opportunity to offer our customers such exquisite merchandise created by one of the world's leading accessories designers.

Bernie Rohe began her career as a top model and muse for Italian leather designer Roberto Cavalli and Liz Claiborne. She has taken her sense of style and fashion and developed a unique offering of trademark scarves of cut velvet, silk chiffon and charmeuse, shawls of brocade and wool, fabulous evening wraps and her specialty fabric of iridescent silk.

In 2002, Bernie's of New York had sales of more than $2 million. After placing our first order with Bernie's of New York in 1995, sales at Nordstrom have averaged between $800,000 and $1 million a year.

Nordstrom Supplier Diversity Program

Businesses like Bernie's are so important to Nordstrom; through them we have tremendous opportunities to do more business with minority and women-owned companies. Since launching the Supplier Diversity Program in 1989, Nordstrom has forged new partnerships with businesses from the communities it serves; supporting the economic growth of those communities while giving the company the chance to work with qualified minority and women-owned businesses. Thanks to the supplier Diversity Program, a qualified businesses have equal access to opportunities with Nordstrom.

In 2002, Nordstrom spent $597.3 million with minority and women-owned businesses. Total expenditures have exceeded $4.7 billion since the program's inception. Nordstrom is also a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and many of its local chapters.

Mrs. Sonya Catlett

Mr. Tim Catlett

Owners

Progressive Business Solutions

PROGRESS ENERGY

Shortly after Progressive Business Solutions, formerly known as Progressive Business Forms & Supplies, was born in 1988, owner Tim Catlett picked up a small piece of business from CP&L, the predecessor of Progress Energy, that he estimates was worth about $250. Fourteen years later, Progressive is a major Progress Energy vendor and one of the nation's largest minority-owned business forms distributors.

Since becoming a Progress Energy vendor, Progressive has won increased business, often at the expense of larger competitors, because of the company's ability to deliver high-quality work, on time and on budget. Three years ago, Progressive won a competitive process to produce the bills for customers of Progress Energy's two utilities that serve North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

"Progress Energy has shown its confidence in us by awarding us additional business as we have grown," said Catlett. "having Progress Energy as a significant customer has given us added credibility with other large companies in our region."

Since beginning the relationship with Progress Energy, Progressive Business Solutions has moved from a 2,000-square-foot office to a 30,000-square-foot warehouse the company built to better serve its customer's needs.

The Supplier Diversity & Business Development organization at Progress Energy identifies minority/ women business enterprises (MWBEs), evaluates their capabilities and advocates for their inclusion in progress Energy's procurement process and business plans, year to date, the company has secured more than $60 million in MWBE utilization, which positions the company to surpass its $72.5 million goal for 2003.

"Progressive Business Solutions is a good example of what we are Wing to help build through our supplier diversity program," said Thomas Stith, manager of supplier diversity for Progress Energy. "One of our goals is to help strengthen business and economic development in the communities we serve, while meeting the supplier diversity goals we have set for our company."

Mr. Don Hill

Chairman & CEO 

Wilson Office Interiors

AMERICAN AIRLINES

AMR Corp. is parent company of American Airlines, world's largest carrier, and its regional affiliate American Eagle. To keep its fleet of approximately 1000 aircraft flying safely, comfortable and on time, AMR requires support of many professional suppliers, providing vital materials goods and services.

AMR's award-winning Diversified Supplier Program enhances our diverse supplier base by providing minority and women-owned businesses with opportunities to become competitive suppliers of products and services. We advocate growth, development and education that will enable diverse suppliers to excel and become competitive members of the AMR supplier base.

One such member of our supplier base is Don Hill, Chairman and CEO of Dallas-based Wilson Office Interiors. Since 1994, Hill's company has become not only a highly competitive member of our supplier base, but an integral partner with American Airlines. Wilson Office Interiors is AMR's contracted worldwide distributor for Steelcase office furnishings. Recently, the company added extra value to its support of AMR by managing surplus furniture owned by America, helping contain costs during difficult economic times.

In addition to standard office furniture, Hill's company has also provided furnishings for 25 of American's Admirals Clubs[R] at airports around the country, including the recently completed Club at Los Angeles International Airport. Wilson office interiors was recently awarded the contract to furnish the new Admiral's Club at American's massive new Miami International Airport terminal. And when American wanted to redesign the seating areas for passengers waiting to board their flights, Hills! company helped coordinate fabrication of the duster seating that can now be seen at many of American's airports.

American's success depends on a network of dependable suppliers who also are good business partners, like Don Hill and his Wilson Office Interiors. Together, we keep American flying high.

Mr. Lou Switzer

Chairman & CEO

The Switzer Group

ALTRIA

As the parent company to some of the world's largest consumer packaged brands, Altria Group values supplier diversity as a sound business practice that has long contributed to our growth. Moreover, when minority owned businesses thrive, they contribute to the economic strength of diverse communities through job creation and enhancing the quality of life for all of us.

At the Altria family, we pride ourselves on the relationships that we have developed with our minority suppliers. For over 30 years, we have been recognized as a corporate leader in purchasing goods and services through our supplier diversity program. Last year alone, Altria companies purchased more than $1.3 billion in goods and services through our supplier diversity program.

Who are these suppliers that have helped grow our business and help make us a World Class company? When you think of architectural services for our corporate headquarters in New York the name Lou Switzer of the Switzer Group Inc. comes to mind. By providing outstanding service in a competitive marketplace Lou has developed a long-term relationship with our company that we value and respect.

"They believe in us and gave us a chance when there where very few fortune 500 companies that would commit to an architectural relationship with a minority-owned company," says CEO Lou Switzer. Our relationship with The Switzer Group is reflective of our commitment to not only our suppliers but also to making sound business decisions. Signing a contract with the Switzer Group achieved both of the goals.

According to Sharon Patterson, Chairperson of our Supplier 'Diversity Task Force, we believe that our commitment to diversity in everything we do internally in our workplaces and externally in our marketplaces is one of the reasons the products of the Altria family of companies are household names in millions of homes across America

The people of the Altria family are committed to supporting visionary individuals and organizations that enhance the quality of our world. We know that we could not be as successful without the support of minority suppliers and we are proud to partner with them.

(left) Mr. Joseph D. Hill,

Jr. Multicultural Supplier

Development Executive,

Bank of America 

(right) Mr. ray Kennedy

CEO--American Product

Distributors, Inc.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BANK OF AMERICA

When Bank of America awarded an enterprise-wide copy paper contract to American Product Distributors Inc. (APD), this national supplier proved that supplier diversity makes good business sense. As a result, APD found a paper product with higher recyclable content and a five percent cost savings for the bank.

Bank of America benefits by strengthening multicultural suppliers such as APD, said an impressed Joseph D. (Joe) Hill Jr., who runs the Multicultural Supplier Development group.

C. Ray Kennedy started APD in 1992 and Bank of America, with a $250,000 paper purchase, was his only customer. Today, APD sells and distributes copier paper, office equipment and business imaging supplies nationwide, to companies such as Office Depot and Johnson & Johnson. Kennedy projects sales of $100 million for 2003, and renovates affordable housing. "This creates hundreds of jobs," Kennedy smiled.

It's part of seeking "higher standards," said Hill, adding the bank wants to develop other multicultural suppliers to grow their businesses and deliver productivity gains for the bank.

Bank of America buys from more than 2,000 diverse suppliers annually and has spent over $2 billion with them in 12 years. In 2002, the bank's spending with diverse businesses totaled over $545 million--8.5 percent of $6.4 billion for all products and services purchased. To do more, Hill has charted a now course; His unit encourages existing multicultural suppliers to seek other major customers and prods majority-owned suppliers to work with these energetic diverse firm.

As they grew, the suppliers do business with other major corporations and diverse suppliers, helping them prosper. Meanwhile, they become more dependable suppliers to Bank of America.

"This is how you spread the wealth," Hill said, "and do good for your communities."

YUM! BRAND, INC. Our Commitment to Supplier Diversity Brings More to the Table

At Yum! Brands, we're "maniacs" about customer and providing delicious food to our customers the world over, as well as bringing strong business partnerships. We recognize that supplier diversity is important for the growth of our company and to our customers.

Yum! believes supplier diversity is smart business and to grow our pipeline of outstanding minority and women suppliers, we partner with several national minority and women's business organizations, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce, and Women's Business Enterprise Council. These groups, along with regional purchasing councils and minority chambers of commerce, are key resources for identifying diverse suppliers who can deliver high quality goods and services at competitive prices.

Our goal is to develop strategic relationships with minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). Through these efforts, we work to enhance the economic strengths of the communities we serve, including:

* Acquiring the high-quality products and sauces needed to operate the business

* Actively and diligently securing qualified MWBEs for all possible company requirements;

* Providing essential links between diverse suppliers and corporate departments with purchasing needs;

* Implementing practices that ensure each qualified MWBE suppliers have an equal opportunity to compete and participate-according to established policies and procedures Hungry for more information? Visit us at www.yum.com

JC PENNY

Since the inception of our Supplier Diversity Program in 1972, JC Penney's involvement with minority-owned businesses has grown substantially. In 1983, we established the Supplier Diversity Awards Program to recognize minority-owned businesses and our associates for their outstanding services and efforts to the JC Penney Supplier Diversity Program. Today, Suppliers and associates are recognized on-line at: http://supplierdiversity.jcpenny.net/default.htm

Our program further evolved in 1993, when women-owned businesses were made an integral part of our Supplier Diversity Program. Since the program's inception, it has realized substantial growth in the purchases of merchandise, goods, and services from $5 million in purchases in its first year to $673 million in purchases in 2002.

Each and every potential supplier is carefully evaluated for business opportunities within our company. To qualify as a minority and/or women-owned supplier, the business must meet the following criteria:

* Be a U.S. citizen and own, operate and control at least 51% of their company.

* Belong to one or more of the following groups:-African American, Hispanic American, Asian-Indian American, Asian-Pacific American, Native American or Women.

* Provide certification

* Complete the JC Penney Supplier Diversity Business Profile.

* Listed with Dun and Bradstreet.

* Have a specific product or service to sell.

We welcome your inquiries to learn more about our program and/or to become a JC Penney supplier. For more information, visit our web site at: www.jcpenney.net/company/supplier/partners/index.htm