(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)DEARBORN, MI - May 12, 2003 - - For the fourth consecutive year, Ford Motor Company is showcasing "Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship" symposiums at major African American national and regional annual conventions and conferences nationwide. The symposium is packed-full of information on achieving and building personal wealth through excellence in workplace performance and small business development. "Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship" kicked-off mid-April and will run through the Fall of 2003. Since the program's launch in the year 2000, over 27,000 participants have benefited from Ford's empowerment message on achieving economic and financial freedom; this year, Ford Motor Company expects to reach over 133,000 individuals.

The mission to empower individuals to achieve personal wealth, and its residual effect of building communities through economic development, has been a goal for Ford Motor Company since its inception nearly a century ago. Ford Motor Company founder, Henry Ford, instituted an innovative and then radical policy of equal pay for equal work, during the early part of the 20th Century. That policy encouraged the mass migration North of African Americans in search of jobs.

"The tradition continues today at Ford Motor Company," says Dr. Renaldo M. Jensen, director of supplier diversity development purchasing, Ford Motor Company. "However, Ford Motor Company has moved beyond simply employing African Americans and other minorities. We have encouraged talented minorities to partner with the company to establish their own business, allowing Ford a medium to purchase products and services and maintaining its position as the leading trading partner with minority businesses in the United States. This commitment in turn not only empowers individuals, but strengthens minority communities."

Adds George Frame, director of dealer diversity development, Ford Motor Company, "We believe that the wealth gap in America will be closed by creating jobs and opportunities for minorities, and experts agree that this can best be achieved through entrepreneurship and demonstrated excellence in the workplace."

The successful operation of the Ford Supplier/Dealer Development operation has allowed Ford to invest over $3 billion annually with minority-owned and operated companies and in minority communities, giving Ford the unique distinction of having the largest minority auto dealer body in the country, 370 dealers, and supporting over 39,000 jobs.

George Fraser, one of the nation's foremost authorities on networking and building effective relationships, is the featured speaker of the "Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship" symposiums. Mr. Fraser has authored two books, Success Runs in Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African American Community and the critically acclaimed bestseller, Race for Success: The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks in America. He is also the publisher of the award winning SuccessGuide Worldwide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources.

"With a renewed focus on business ownership, our community is going to take the final steps from the civil rights movement to economic empowerment," says George Fraser. "Black businesses tend to hire black people. Black empowerment empowers the black community."

The Ford Motor Company "Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship" tour will also be featured at the 2003 annual gatherings of Jabez in Orlando, June 7, in Atlanta on July 19, in Santa Ana on October 18; Frasernet in Cleveland, June 19-22; Phi Delta Kappa in Las Vegas, July 24; National Urban League in Pittsburgh, July 26-30; Alpha Phi Alpha in Detroit, August 1-5; Bronner Brothers in Atlanta, August 9-11; and the National Baptist USA in Kansas City, September 8-12.

In 2002, Ford Motor Company spent more than $3.2 billion in goods and services from minority businesses nationwide. It also helped to support 370 dealers and over 39,000 jobs. Ford was the first corporation to attain over $3 billion in Tier 1 sourcing to NMSDC-certified minority businesses. In addition, Ford has expanded programs in nontraditional service areas that have positively impacted minority communities, such as minority-owned banks, brokerage firms, and investment and insurance companies.

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