DALLAS, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced that it is launching a year-long initiative that will mentor and coach a pilot group of small, women-owned business owners. The initiative was unveiled at the Women's Business Enterprise National Council's (WBENC) Women in Business conference: "The Bridge to Quality" in San Francisco, CA, where AT&T is a major sponsor. This annual national conference and business fair is the largest event of its kind in the nation for women's business enterprises (WBEs).

AT&T is launching the WOCB Growth initiative to help participating WBEs develop the tools and strategies necessary to win large corporate contracts. A key component of the program will assist the small businesses in obtaining TL9000 quality certification through a unique webinar approach.

AT&T began the first phase of its initiative in 2007 when it sponsored the Center for Women Business Research's (CFWBR) multiyear study called "Research to Roadmap: Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned By Women of Color". The study showed that although minority-owned businesses are growing at exponential rates compared to all other groups, they lagged behind in success factors such as growing revenues and increasing employees.

AT&T is a long-standing partner, board of directors' member, strong supporter and a founding member of WBENC, an organization that strives to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses. AT&T has also been awarded WBENC's America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises every year since the list's inception 10 years ago for its efforts in breaking down barriers that impede women-owned businesses from gaining fair access to procurement opportunities.

"To succeed, AT&T must have quality strategies, leadership, processes and people," said Joan Kerr, executive director of AT&T Global Supplier Diversity Programs. "We must also have quality suppliers to help us deliver best-in-class products and services to our customers. WBENC has been a great partner on this front, by helping us reach WBE's and form beneficial supplier relationships, which is good for AT&T's bottom line and, ultimately, for our customers as well."

During the three-day event, WBEs, senior corporate executives, supplier diversity, procurement professionals, and government representatives had an opportunity to engage in a series of professional development opportunities that include networking activities, workshops, general sessions, and the Business Fair.

In addition to AT&T's major sponsorship of WBENC'S conference and the launch of the WOCB initiative, AT&T president of Supply Chain and Fleet Operations, Tim Harden, served as a keynote speaker at WBENC's Business Fair Breakfast. In addition, Joan Kerr was a panelist and moderator during the three-day conference. AT&T also hosted WEConnect International, an organization that certifies WBEs globally

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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