The faces of Atlanta.

Imagine a place that is diverse in every element of its existence. A place where big business meets big fun ... A place where many pages of African American history were penned by the blood, courage, tenacity and faith of Atlantans; a place where the entrepreneurial spirit runs rampant, a place that transforms dreams into vision and vision into economic power. A place where people make a difference and reshape the way we interact with each other and the way we do business locally, nationally and globally.

Atlanta is a place like no other.... whether you return to the past and experience the historic, economic good times of the "Sweet Auburn" district--which hosts the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. founded in 1905 by Alonzo Herndon, the headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site and the Royal Peacock Lounge--where every Black musician who made it performed, or whether you delve into present day where an entity like the Atlanta Daily World, one of the nation's oldest Black owned newspapers, has been a catalyst in the publishing world paving the way for Atlanta-based and other publications. The city has over 25 viable African American newspapers and magazines.

These days, Atlanta is home to over 60,000 minority owned businesses, thanks to organizations like the Atlanta Business League, headed by executive director Leona Barr Davenport. Since 1933, the nonprofit ABL has provided economic empowerment and business development opportunities for minority owned businesses throughout metropolitan Atlanta. The entrepreneurial spirit always has been a part of Atlanta's history. In fact, there were so many thriving black owned businesses along busy Auburn Avenue that it was once dubbed "The Wall Street of Black America." African American businesses in 2004 are not limited to Auburn Avenue--but that early entrepreneurial drive is reflected in the ongoing success of companies like The Gourmet Companies: Matlock Advertising and Public Relations, founded by Kent Matlock; the Harrell Companies, founded by auto dealer Steve Harrell; Moody Construction and its founder Dave Moody, and Baranco Automotive and its founders Greg and Juanita Baranco.

Lea O'Neal came to Atlanta 20 years ago and saw the need to get newcomers together to learn the city and network with each other. She formed Black Atlanta Transplants and now has a multicultural database that reaches thousands with information on what to do in the city. NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson opened the Magic Johnson Multiplex Cinemas in Atlanta in 1996, and has subsequently opened 2 Starbucks Coffee Houses and a Magic Johnson TGI Friday's Restaurant.

It is also home to a growing, thriving middle class. According to the most recent U.S. Census figures, Atlanta has the highest number of black middle income household in the nation. Thanks to the prosperity of the '90s, the city has become the top destination in the country for middle and upper income blacks. Consequently, new housing developments are springing up all over the city and its suburban areas, many with African American developers, like H.J. Russell and Company--now headed by 2nd generation President and COO H. Jerome Russel, as well as builders and architects. New home prices appeal to all budgets, from $140,000 3-bedroom homes up to $1,000,000+ multi-room mansions that sit on 2 or 3 acres within new gated communities.

Known as Black Mecca, Atlanta once again has been recently named the number one destination for African American travelers, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. With international credentials, Atlanta knows how to entertain. Venues such as the Georgia Dome, Phillips Arena, Centennial Olympic Park and Turner Field have hosted some of the world's largest major athletic events, from the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the 1994 and 2000 Super Bowls, 2003 NBA All Star Game, and numerous World Series, to SEC championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Georgia Power Annual Football Classic of 100 Black Men; Atlanta definitely knows sports. It is the home of major league professional sports teams--the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Thrashers. Consequently, many major league athletes call Atlanta home, even those who don't play for local teams. Brian Jordan of Major League Baseball and Glenn Robinson of the NBA are just two pro athletes who reside in the city. Other residents include Atlanta Falcon quarterback phenom Michael Vick as well as former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, and baseball's homerun king (and automobile entrepreneur) Hank Aaron.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, provides an easy transition from most major cities within the U.S. Atlanta has long been an attractive destination for conventions, meetings, festivals and the arts. It has grown into an icon for multicultural activities. Under the leadership of executive director Stephanie Hughley, the National Black Arts Festival has escalated to an annual event that still commands the "best of the best" performances and international talent, drawing artists and visitors from across the African Diaspora to this 10-day festival of art and culture. Groups such as the National Medical Association, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, the National Association of Black Journalists, the 100 Black Men of America, the National Baptist Convention, Delta Sigma Theta, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce all have successfully hosted their meetings here. In 2004 the city looks to host the mega-conference of the T.D. Jakes Ministries, drawing more than 150,000 attendees as well as the Links, the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the Shriners) and the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show.

Quickly gaining on New York and LA, Atlanta has built a reputation in the music and film industries with solid film, recording companies and studio collaborations to its credit. Some call Atlanta the "Motown of the South," reminiscent of the huge cadre of young music stars on Berry Gordy's renown label in the'60s and '70s. Unlike Motown, Atlanta's music personalities are not all tied to just one label, but represent a mixture of independent and major label acts: Grammy Award winners like India.Arie and OutKast.

Platinum level hip-hop artists like Ludacris and Bone Crusher. R&B stars Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, as well as singers Faith Evans, Keith Sweat and Blu Cantrell have taken up residency in the Atlanta area, as has music and fashion mogul Sean "P.Diddy" Combs.

The faces of Atlanta also take on national notoriety, as many movers and shakers of today have roots here: persons like current and first female Mayor Shirley Franklin, former Mayor and Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, veteran civil rights activist Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, 100 Black Men of America chairman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Georgia Pacific Foundation president Curley Dossman, and Turner Broadcasting Executive Xemona Clayton.

It is no secret the strength of our people lies within our education. Atlanta has the largest consortium of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) in the world. All male Morehouse College, headed by Morehouse alumnus and noted physicist Dr. Walter Massey, and all female Spelman College, led by noted educator and author Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum have two of the largest endowments among HBCU's nationwide and are ranked #1 and #3 respectively on the BE List of "Top Colleges and Universities for African Americans." Colleges of the Atlanta University Center have produced many of this country's leading notables--attorneys, scientists, politicians, activists, entertainers and others: Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Holbrooke Jackson, noted physician Dr. David Satcher, former Spelman president Dr. Audrey Forbes Manley, the late actress Esther Rolle, two-time Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses; children's rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, actor Bill Nunn, national fraternity leader Samuel Hamilton, actors/producers LaTanya Richardson and Samuel L. Jackson, producer/actor/director Spike Lee, and corporate executive Jeri Devard, to name just a few.

Atlanta does not disappoint when it comes to the nightlife and dining. Numerous clubs across the city with a wide variety of offerings attract diverse audiences--Sambuca Jazz Cafe, Blind Willie's Blues Club, eleven 50 (for dancing the night away and performances by top acts), and the Havana Club to name a few. Atlanta has over 8,000 restaurants and is one of the top dining destinations in the country. From four-star restaurants to any international cuisine you can name to soul food, you find it here. Worth mentioning and checking out are Thelma's Kitchen, legendary Paschals Restaurant, Sylvia's, the Imperial Fez Moroccan restaurant, Gladys Knight & Ron Winans Chicken & Waffles, Hairston's, and Justin's Restaurant & Bar, owned by Sean "P.Diddy" Combs.

Atlanta continues to put new and innovative plans into the mix--living up to its moniker of "exceptional places." Just completed is Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, located across the street from Centennial Olympic Park. Coming in 2005 will be the 5 million gallon Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola. The combination will create a major entertainment destination in Atlanta's downtown corridor. Perennial favorites among visitors include the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change (The King Center), Underground Atlanta, the Herndon Home and Six Flags over Georgia.

Atlanta is family, it's business, it's educational, it's historic, it's a fun place to work, play and do business.

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.atlanta.net)

The Coca-Cola Company

In 2000, Doug Daft, chairman 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 nonalcoholic 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.

It's a commitment of which we are proud and one which we use to develop stronger local communities, while creating long-term growth and competitive advantage for The Coca-Cola Company and our bottler system. Since 2001 under the leadership of Johnnie B. Booker, Director of Supplier Diversity, we've made significant progress, and our spend with minority-and women-owned businesses has increased from less than 2% of our total procurement spend in 2000 to approximately 5% in 2003.

At The Coca-Cola Company, all 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.

Through our champions, employees recognize the importance of diversity in business operations, embrace Supplier Diversity as a business imperative, and integrate it into day-to-day business processes.

In collaboration with Clark Atlanta University, we've established a Supplier Mentoring Program to assist minority and women-owned businesses to enhance their capability and capacity. In addition, we sponsor suppliers in the Executive Management Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Second tier engagement is also a critical component of success, helping us reach and include more minority-and women-owned suppliers. We require our primary suppliers to proactively demonstrate their commitment by including minority and women businesses on all Company projects and contracts.

Together, we are positive that our Company and our suppliers can experience the full benefit of supplier diversity, as we move toward our goal of a supplier base which mirrors the diversity of the consumers and communities we serve.

Major League Baseball ASAP Career Apparel

Major League Baseball continues to be at the forefront of supplier diversity within sports. MLB's DBP Program in 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 for 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's Central Office and it's member Clubs have spent over $300 million dollars with thousands of minority and women business owners. One leadership example of why MLB's initiative is second to none in sports is the Atlanta Braves. In addition to the commitment from the Braves most senior level, individuals like Larry Bowman, Director of Stadium Operations and Security have embraced supplier diversity and have welcomed companies such as ASAP Career Apparel to "play the field". ASAP Career Apparel provides unique apparel solutions within its offerings of a wide variety of uniforms. Under the leadership of owner Towanda Jordan-Scott, ASAP has grown to be a multi-million dollar business. Towanda joined ASAP Uniforms 13 years ago as a sales representative. She describes "the opportunity for blood, sweat and tears, great mentorship from ASAP's original ownership and the grace of God" as the key elements that moved her from sales rep, to sales manager, General Manager, VP and eventual owner. Today ASAP Career Apparel experienced personnel provides uniforms and assistance to organizations like the Atlanta Braves with industrial, casual, executive and customized apparel.

Towanda Jordan-Scott is an obvious success story, however she categorizes her ten-year relationship with Larry Bowman and the Braves as the real success story. She attributes Larry's proactive leadership and encouragement to expand her line of stadium personnel uniforms from a base of one department to all of the departments with game staff responsibilities. She is pleased to say, "Everyone talks about opportunity, Mr. Larry Bowman, along with the Braves organization backs it up!"

Vendors interested in doing business with the Atlanta Braves should contact:

Rosemary M. Jones

Director, Supplier Diversity

Supplier Diversity Customer Service Center

[phone]

[e-mail]

Delta Air Lines

Much like the city it calls home, Delta Air Lines and diversity are linked through the dedication to lift Atlanta and the world.

In 75 years of service, Delta has grown from a small propeller-driven fleet to a worldwide enterprise that carries more passengers than any other airline in the world.

"The customer base has grown into a truly global community, including people of all different cultures and backgrounds," says Paul M. Graves, Delta Vice President for Global Diversity. "That development mirrors the growth of Atlanta."

For Delta, committing to diversity means reflecting the variety of people who choose to fly with the company--both as passengers and employees.

As a sponsor of the National Black MBA Association, National Society of Hispanic MBAS, and the National Association of Asian American Professionals, Organization of Black Airline Pilots and other organizations, Delta takes an active role in offering employees networking opportunities. To this end, the company has formed internal networking groups: African American Employee Network, Women's Employee Network, Latin American Hispanic Employee Network and Gay and Lesbian Employee Network. Said Graves, "We like to say, 'Variety makes us strong. Harmony makes us successful.'"

But truly supporting diversity means going beyond a workplace where employees of different races, cultures and lifestyles grow together. Delta extends its effort directly into the Atlanta community.

Last summer, Delta teamed up with the Organization of Black Airline Pilots to sponsor the Atlanta Aviation Career Camp, Flightline Camp and Dream Flight in an effort to encourage minority and female youth in the Atlanta area to consider a career in aviation.

Among the other local programs Delta supports are the United Negro College Fund, the Atlanta Pride Festival, the Atlanta Black Arts Festival, AIDSWalk Atlanta and the annual 100 Black Men of Atlanta Football Classic.

Graves describes Delta's commitment to a strong diversity program as a means to an end.

"Focusing on the needs of Atlanta's diverse residents, along with those of an equally inclusive workforce, helps Delta Air Lines continue its goal to build a rainbow in the sky and in the community."