NETWORKING: NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE;

NETWORKING CONFERENCE OFFERS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS FOR

TROUBLED ECONOMIC TIMES

CLEVELAND, OH - May 5, 2003 -- Ford Motor Company's PowerNetworking 2003: Collaborating and Building Black Wealth & Resources will be held June 19-22 at Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland, OH. Co-sponsored by FraserNet, Inc., this event is the second annual networking training conference for people of African descent.

The nation's economic slowdown is affecting many Americans, but Blacks seem to be feeling the brunt of the pain. For them, the unemployment rate is nearly double the national average. In 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for Blacks jumped from 9.8 percent in September to 11.2 percent in December.

In response to this difficult time for those of African descent, the focus of PowerNetworking 2003 will be on how to network for career building, entrepreneurial success and wealth creation in troubled economic times. This year's conference will feature over 44 training workshops and panels that will be facilitated by a dream team of professional business trainers, motivational speakers and Black business and civic leaders.

In addition to the workshops, PowerNetworking 2003 will also feature nationally televised plenary sessions and a town hall meeting. Luncheons, a health and wellness fair, and a business opportunity exposition will also enhance the event offerings.

Another conference highlight will be the nationally televised African-American Business Hall of Fame & Museum induction ceremony and gala. This year the event will honor the following business luminaries: Nathan G. Conyers, Founder & President, Conyers Riverside Ford, Inc.; Earl G. Graves, Sr., Founder & Chairman, Earl Graves Ltd./Black Enterprise; Frank Green, Founder, New Vista Capital Funds; William Hudgins, Founder, Carver Bank & Freedom National Bank; John H. Johnson, Founder & Chairman, Johnson Publications, Inc.; J. Bruce Llewellyn, Chairman, Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Ernesta G. Procope, Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer, E.G. Bowman Co., Inc.; and Herman J. Russell, Founder & Chairman, H.J. Russell & Company.

To date, this year's roster of confirmed participants include, but are not limited to, Les Brown, Dr. Juanita Bynum, Ron Daniels, Dr. Therman Evans, Ed Gordon, Stedman Graham, Dr. Asa Hilliard III, Dr. I.V. Hilliard, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Dennis Kimbro, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Rev. Al Sharpton, Bev Smith, and national gospel recording artists CeCe and Vickie Winans.

In an effort to foster greater minority business participation, Ford Motor Company is the title sponsor of PowerNetworking 2003.

"We are honored to work alongside FraserNet, Inc. for the second consecutive year to bring to fruition PowerNetworking 2003. A conference of this nature is very necessary during tough economic times, and very valuable toward the empowerment of minorities as they strive for success in their chosen field or through entrepreneurship," says Ford Motor Company, Executive Director Dealer Development, George Frame. "Given the enormous amount of accomplished individuals that will be present for this event, we view this as an unique opportunity for 'each one to teach one' and we are extremely pleased to be a part of such an endeavor." "I am exceedingly pleased that Ford Motor Company has chosen to underscore its continued commitment to the Black community by facilitating this conference," says FraserNet, Inc. Chairman & CEO, George C. Fraser. "This is a excellent example of how crucial partnerships with corporate America are to the success of minority business and economic development," he added.

Other PowerNetworking 2003 sponsors include: American Family Insurance; Anheuser-Busch Companies; AOL Time Warner; Charter One; Cleveland Clinic Health System; Coca-Cola; Continental Airlines; Dominion East Ohio Gas; E&J Cognac; ExxonMobil; IBM; KeyBank; Monster.com; Motorola; National Car Rental; National City Bank; Progressive Insurance; Revelation America; Sony; Turner Construction; Verizon; Wal-Mart; Wendy's; Wyndham Hotels; and tremendous support from national media sponsors.

For registration information visit www.frasernet.com or call 216.691.6536. For sponsorship information call 216.691.6686 ext. 201. Those seeking booth information should call 216.691.6686 ext. 330.

FraserNet, Inc.'s mission is to lead a global networking movement that brings together diverse human resources to increase opportunities for people of African descent. FraserNet publishes SuccessGuide Worldwide-The Networking Guide to Black Resources. FraserNet Chairman & CEO, George C. Fraser, is the best-selling author of Success Runs in Our Race and Race for Success. He also serves as vice-chairman and founding trustee of Race for Success, Inc., which operates the African-American Business Hall of Fame & Museum and the Center for the Advancement of African-American Entrepreneurship

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