Black Business Association Honors Verizon for Supporting Minority-Business Community

LOS ANGELES -- Verizon's commitment to supplier diversity and its support of the minority-business community has earned the company the 2009 Majority Corporation Award from the Black Business Association (BBA).

The award is presented to the company that provides outstanding contributions to support the BBA and the minority-business community.

"The Black Business Association is proud to honor Verizon for being an industry leader in supplier diversity and for its contributions to the minority-business community that have opened up markets that were once out of reach for African-American business owners," said Earl "Skip" Cooper, Black Business Association president and CEO. "This recognition is a testament to Verizon's vision, leadership and continual support."

Elva Lima, vice president of Verizon strategic programs, said: "It is an honor to be recognized by the Black Business Association for our commitment to the minority-business community. Diverse suppliers play an increasingly prominent role in our communities, and Verizon is committed to working with minority businesses." 

Verizon has a long-standing commitment to provide procurement opportunities for business enterprises owned and controlled by minorities, women, persons with disabilities and service disabled veterans (MWDVBEs).  Supplier diversity is a critical element of Verizon's strategy to grow and compete in the marketplace and to provide customers with the highest quality and service.  Cultivating and developing MWDVBE suppliers not only benefits Verizon, but is critical to maintaining Verizon's competitive edge in the ever-changing global economy.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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