Device Arena

AT&T announced that DiversityInc has named AT&T as one of the 2008 Top 50 Companies for Diversity. AT&T is also included among the Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity because of the support that the company provides for minority- and women-owned businesses.

DiversityInc is an organization that has become known as a catalyst for moving diversity from a compliance mandate to a serious business discipline. This is the eighth year that DiversityInc has administered the Top 50 Companies for Diversity survey — more than 350 companies participated in this year’s survey.

“We are dedicated to having diverse, talented individuals in our workforce and to incorporating diversity into every aspect of our business,” said Bill Blase, AT&T senior executive vice president of Human Resources. “Diversity and inclusion are part of our culture and are essential if we are to be successful in the marketplace.”

This recognition comes on the heels of two other recent recognitions for AT&T. The company was ranked No. 1 among DiversityBusiness.com’s 2007 Top Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities, based on the quality of business opportunities that AT&T consistently grants to minority- and women-owned companies. Last month, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council named AT&T as one of America’s Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises. In the past year, AT&T has also been recognized by LATINA Style magazine, Black Enterprise magazine, the Human Rights Campaign, and G.I. Jobs magazine.

In fostering diversity and inclusion, AT&T seeks to create a better business environment, one that makes the company an employer of choice, a preferred business partner and an important contributor to the community. AT&T’s 50-state workforce is 44 percent female and 39 percent people of color. In 2007, AT&T spent $5 billion with diverse suppliers, representing more than 12 percent of the company’s procurement base.

AT&T