FORTUNE partners with UnityFirst.com and
African American Newswire to distribute special diversity section,
"The Diversity Factor"

Boston, MA -- FORTUNE magazine and UnityFirst.com/African American Newswire will partner to distribute FORTUNE's special diversity section, "The Diversity Factor," found in the magazine's October 13, 2003 issue (deadline: August 25, 2003). This special section, produced in cooperation with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), is invaluable to people of all backgrounds and professions, from diversity practitioners to community-based organizations, who want to more fully understand the ever- increasing multicultural world that we live and work in.

The "Diversity Factor" will explore best practices in the field including diverse hiring practices, management training, mentoring programs, and incentive compensation tied to diversity achievements. Through company profiles, it will feature the strategies many U.S. companies are using to run successful diversity programs in their organizations. Also, it will share the methods many forward-thinking executives have implemented to ensure a successful diversity process - i.e. involving middle managers in training, integrating diversity into the corporate mission statement, and CEO involvement.

With the UnityFirst.com/African American Newswire partnership, journalists and readers of all backgrounds, industries and regions across the U.S. and will learn more about the special section and gain insight about how corporations and individuals are dealing with more complex diversity issues than ever. Over the past decade, diversity initiatives have been implemented at various levels in corporations. Still, companies are struggling with rising numbers of discrimination lawsuits and complaints citing unfair treatment in the workplace.

Also considering today's economic and political climate -- protecting diversity initiatives has never been more vital. Now, more than ever, diversity programs and initiatives are still a critical component in helping to sustain a competitive business advantage. Companies are now re-evaluating their diversity policies and programs and implementing new ways of addressing an ever-changing and more inclusive work environment, with Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, African Americans, Africans, Caribbeans, and others from various religions, geographies and ethnicities. CEOS realize that to survive and prosper, corporations must meet multicultural challenges by implementing innovative diversity programs within their organizations.

Janine Fondon, President/CEO of UnityFirst.com/African American Newswire says, "This special section is a great opportunity to share information and resources about diversity, while also building important partnerships and reaching new, emerging markets to broaden the dialogue about diversity. We look forward to connecting with people who may have valuable insights to share as well as those companies who hope to participate in the section."

For more detail about the section and special opportunities for corporations to participate, contact Gloria Lerner via email: glerner@bellatlantic.net or by phone (212) 831-7068. Contact Janine Fondon via email: jfondon@unityfirst.com or phone: 1-800-286-3659 if you are interested in getting more information on a seminar that will be held in New York City this Fall to discuss the section and/or participating in an online, diversity-focused information sharing and review of the section.

About Unity First -
Founded in 1998, UnityFirst.com is a Black owned and operated web communications and marketing company that specializes in sharing diversity-related information, resources, events and news to the Black and larger diverse communities across the U.S. and beyond. As an inclusive and reliable communication channel, UnityFirst.com's top priority is connecting people of all backgrounds to diversity-related news, issues and opportunities. For more information about UnityFirst.com or African American Newswire, call 1-800- 286-3659 or send email to editors@unityfirst.com

About FORTUNE -
FORTUNE is one of the world's premier business magazines, with editions in Europe, Asia, and China and a worldwide circulation of more than 1 million. The FORTUNE brand goes beyond the magazine itself and includes conferences, PBS's Wall $treet Week with FORTUNE, special sections, custom reprints, custom research, and the website www.fortune.com. The FORTUNE Group also licenses The FORTUNE 500 Index Tracking Stock (Ticker: FFF) which trades on the American Stock Exchange. This dynamism is at the core of FORTUNE's expanding global presence, with FORTUNE reaching a wide and influential international audience.

Contact: Janine Fondon
Phone: 800-286-3659
Email: jfondon@unityfirst.com