AT&T Earns Record Diversity Ranking

AT&T Earns Record Diversity Ranking

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) achieved its highest-ever ranking from DiversityInc, an organization that has become known as a catalyst for moving diversity from a compliance mandate to a serious business discipline. AT&T ranks third on this year’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity list for its commitment to diversity in the workplace and marketplace. The company is also included on two of DiversityInc’s specialty lists, ranking No. 1 among the Top 10 Companies for African Americans and No. 3 among the Top 10 Companies for Recruitment and Retention.

This is the seventh year that DiversityInc has administered the Top 50 Companies for Diversity survey. The survey included more than 300 participating companies this year, an increase of 24 percent over 2006. In 2006, AT&T was named to six of DiversityInc’s “Top 10″ specialty lists, the highest number of honors received by any U.S. company. The rankings recognized AT&T for its commitment to diversity in the workplace and marketplace and included honors for supplier diversity, African-American workforce, Latino workforce, executive women, GLBT employees, and recruitment and retention.

AT&T acquired BellSouth Corp. in late 2006, consolidating ownership of the Cingular brand. The former BellSouth and Cingular had their own distinguished records of diversity and inclusion, and those commitments are continuing within the new AT&T. Last year the former BellSouth and Cingular also received high marks from DiversityInc, ranking No. 9 and No. 15, respectively, among the 2006 Top 50 Companies for Diversity.

“AT&T is dedicated to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and to working with diverse suppliers to serve our customers,” said Edward E. Whitacre Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, AT&T. “Diversity makes AT&T a better company. It helps make us an employer of choice, a preferred business partner and an important contributor to the communities we serve.” AT&T’s 50-state workforce is 46 percent female and 38 percent people of color. Supplier diversity is a critical initiative of AT&T’s business strategy and a key component of the company’s plan to deliver the best products and services to its customers. In 2006, AT&T spent $5.15 billion with diverse suppliers.

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