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AT&T Supplier Diversity Programs Win Advocate Award

Launched three years ago, the UMAP awards recognize individuals, companies and public service commissions that have made strong contributions to promoting UMAP's supplier diversity mission. Kerr has served as a valuable executive resource to numerous supplier diversity efforts over the years with organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Association for Service Disabled Veterans, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Billion Dollar Roundtable and others. As both past chairwoman and current vice chairwoman of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Kerr has demonstrated instrumental leadership in helping Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) groups better position themselves to win business in the corporate world.

Kerr is one of five individuals recognized by NARUC this year for leading supplier diversity practices and helping DBE groups achieve equal access in the highly competitive worldwide economy.

"We're proud of Joan and the work that her team has done to further AT&T's Supplier Diversity Program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year," said Tim Harden, AT&T president of Supply Chain and Fleet Operations. "We're also deeply honored to receive this recognition from NARUC because it is being presented by key industry regulators and publicly recognizes our contribution to broadening the opportunities available to diverse suppliers."

AT&T was one of the first companies to initiate a formal corporatewide supplier diversity program with the establishment of its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in 1968. The supplier diversity programs are designed to promote, increase and improve the quality of the overall participation of minority-, women- and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises in AT&T's supply chain.

AT&T's Supplier Diversity Programs have been recognized nationally as world class. In 2006, AT&T was awarded the NARUC UMAP Utility Leadership Award for its longtime supplier diversity leadership and innovative programs. This year, AT&T was honored as one of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and ranked No.1 on DiversityBusiness.com's list of Top 50 Corporations for Multicultural Businesses. In 2007, AT&T was recognized by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA).

Kerr's leadership in supplier diversity has been recognized through her three-time receipt of the national NMSDC's "MBE Corporate Coordinator of the Year" award. She also has been recognized with WBENC's "Applause Award."

The UMAP Advocate Award was presented to AT&T on Nov. 18 during NARUC's 120TH Annual Convention inNew Orleans.

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 inthe United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. 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.