SBC Southwestern Bell is a company of SBC Communications Inc., a leading provider of voice, data and Internet services, and one of the most recognized companies in the nation in the area of diversity. 
 
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, SBC companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, as well as directory advertising and publishing.  A Fortune 15 company, America’s leading provider of DSL high-speed Internet service, and one of the nation’s leading Internet Service Providers, SBC companies currently serve more than 60 million access lines nationwide.  In addition, SBC owns 60 percent of America’s second largest wireless company, Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 21 million wireless customers.  Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries.
 
SBC’s business rationale for its holistic approach to diversity is simple:  promoting diversity in the workforce, marketplace and communities it serves provides SBC a distinct competitive advantage that sets it apart from the competition. 
 
From SBC’s unique approach to fostering diversity, to its specific programs targeted at advancing employees, SBC’s culture sets a standard for other corporations.  In terms of advancing and recognizing the efforts of women, half of SBC’s employees are women, including 24 percent of corporate officers, 48 percent of officials and managers and 29 percent of board members – more than double the Fortune 500 average of 11.7 percent, according to the 2000 Catalyst Census of Women Officers and Top Earners. 
 
Diversity extends beyond the workforce at SBC to include the best-in-class supplier diversity program, which has been recognized by Working Woman magazine, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the National Minority Supplier Development. 
 
SBC’s Supplier Diversity Programs are designed to promote, increase and improve the quality of the overall participation of minority-, women- and disabled veteran-owned businesses in SBC’s supply chain.  The Supplier Diversity Team sets goals for spending with women, minority or disabled veteran-owned businesses.  In 2000 SBC reached its highest level of diversity procurement ever, spending $3.4 billion with diverse suppliers.  Of this, more than $736 million was spent with women-owned businesses.
 
For more information about SBC’s work with women-owned businesses or for information about the opportunities available to work with SBC, please visit the website, www.sbcprocurement.com and click on Supplier Diversity.  Or contact Paul Cardarella, vice president of external affairs in Dallas, at 214-464-3222.