Florida Activists Want AT&T, Verizon To Answer The Call For Diversity

Over $200 Million:
Overall supplier diversity spending for California Utilities

(2007-2008)       $200,633,195

Verizon and AT&T Provide Supplier Diversity Data to California Public Utilities Commission but refuse to replicate in Florida:

AT&T and Verizon set supplier diversity goals of over 15% in California

AT&T and Verizon spend over $100 Million with California minority companies

AT&T and Verizon Supplier Diversity Goals for Florida:  0

For copy of Greenlining Report on California Utilities Supplier Diversity Spending

Go to:

http://www.greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/2009GreenliningSupplierDiversityReportCard.pdf

FMCRC Chair Al Pina statement:

Unemployment rates for Florida minorities is at a 27 year high.  Our businesses must have access to business capital and opportunities to reverse this economic tragedy that impacts all of Florida.  Verizon and AT&T have decided to set supplier diversity goals for California minority businesses and provide transparency data for how much they spend with minority businesses, yet they both decline to provide Florida minority businesses the same respect.  It is our hope that AT&T and Verizon will provide similar supplier diversity goals and data for Florida.  Why are they so fearful to do so?  We at FMCRC will continue to push AT&T and Verizon to show the same type of respect and opportunities for Florida minority businesses as they do California.  This lack of access for minorities in Florida by Verizon and AT&T is contributing to this record unemployment that impacts all of Florida.

California Data:

2007-2008         % of Contract dollars

                        To Minority Companies (California)                     

Verizon              22.9%

AT&T                  19.31%

Sprint                   3.67%

African American

Verizon                4.1%

AT&T                    4.3%

Sprint                     .02%

Asian American

Verizon                3.63%

AT&T                    7.46%

Sprint                   2.72%

Latino

Verizon                14.52%

AT&T                      6.69%

Sprint                         .032%