2011 Event Sponsors & Exhibitors

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Cultivating a team with diverse minds, experiences, and perspectives is just part of our culture. We also embrace an ongoing commitment to the development, support and promotion of all our employees to give them, and Verizon, the competitive advantage. Verizon firmly believes that developing the right skills and providing the resources for our employees is essential to create our winning culture. That’s why we provide numerous training opportunities, including our diversity leadership workshops and extensive online library, and encourage our employees to connect with a mentor, join one of our many support networks, and utilize our work/life tools.

Working with Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises. We believe in helping to improve the lives of people in our communities. Our supplier diversity development programs help do so by creating more businesses, more entrepreneurship, more business training and more employment.
By tapping into the energy and ingenuity of hundreds of minority-owned and women-owned enterprises, we receive products and services that make our own operations more efficient and profitable.
Minority-owned and women-owned businesses provide a wide range of essential services and commodities to Altria and its companies including logistics, warehousing, staffing, marketing services, electrical services and office supplies.

Diversity is linked to every aspect of our business. Our mission is to strengthen the links and make them a natural progression toward achieving corporate goals and initiatives. By recognizing and weaving differences into our corporate culture, we believe employees, shareholders, customers and communities will see unlimited potential in the future of Dominion.

WTVR-TV, CBS 6 is a CBS affiliate owned by Local TV Holdings, LLC and licensed through Community Television of Virginia, LLC. WTVR-TV located, on West Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia and is the South's First Television Station.
Coming in September, WTVR-TV will establish another 'first' in Richmond when it launches Central Virginia's only 7 p.m. local newscast.  The 30 minute newscast will become Richmond's only locally-produced television broadcast during prime time access, a time period otherwise dominated by nationally syndicated game shows, sitcoms, and entertainment magazines.   WTVR TV also produces the Virginia Lottery Draw show from its West Broad Street facilities. The syndicated broadcast is produced in the station's original news studio and original control room--- which were both refurbished to accommodate the daily Draw show. 
WTVR TV's involvement in the community is legendary from "For Kids Sake" to sponsorship of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k. WTVR is involved in scores of outreach programs to help our diverse community.

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We bring Madison Avenue to Main Street. TM
Madison+Main is an award-winning marketing and new media firm that provides creative solutions for emerging companies. Clients include Automatic Climate, Children Incorporated, The Coleman Institute, eSmartTax.com, GHT Insurance, Napier Realtors, Richmond.com, Shore Bank, Southern States, Stony Point Surgery Center, Swedish Match North America, Uppy’s, Virginia Women’s Center, Virginia Diner, YardWorks and many others. The firm is based in Richmond, Virginia, with an additional office in Virginia Beach, Virginia. www.madisonmain.com

Since 1967 Covington Meetings & Events has worked with businesses and organizations on their groups, events, meetings and incentives. Industry knowledge and experience is what sets this creative team of meeting professionals apart.
As a woman-owned company we are proud to be associated with the Women Who Mean Business Summit.

At McGuireWoods, we define diversity as recognizing and valuing the differences in our workforce, and using those differences to make everyone more efficient and effective. Diversity encompasses age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, religion and sexual orientation, as well as educational and professional backgrounds.
McGuireWoods’ Chairman Emeritus Robert L. Burrus chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee – a signal of McGuireWoods’ commitment to diversity. McGuireWoods saw the value of diversifying its legal team decades ago. As early as 1977, we initiated a joint venture with a minority-owned law firm.
Over the years, we have won numerous awards for our diversity efforts. We are recognized in Working Mother magazine as a 2009 Best Law Firm for Working Women. International Paper recognized McGuireWoods’ distinction in the legal profession as a firm with an unparalleled commitment to diversity. In honor of that distinction, it selected us as the inaugural recipient of the Lighthouse Award — an award presented to International Paper’s legal department supplier who, by exemplary leadership, has distinguished itself in the area of diversity.

Radio One, Inc. is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies and the largest radio broadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. Pro forma for recently announced transactions, Radio One owns and/or operates 52 radio stations located in 17 urban markets in the United States. Additionally, Interactive One, LLC, interests in TV One, LLC., a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans and Reach Media, Inc., owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner, and Community Connect Inc., an online social-networking company, which operates a number of branded websites, including BlackPlanet.com, MiGente.com and AsianAvenue.com.
Our strategy is to expand within our existing markets and into new markets that have a significant African-American presence. We believe radio broadcasting primarily targeting African-Americans has significant growth potential. We also believe that we have a competitive advantage in the African-American market and the radio industry in general, due to our primary focus on urban formats, our skill in programming and marketing these formats, and our turnaround expertise.

Almost 85 percent of those of us who work for Bon Secours are daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and grandmothers like you. We are physicians, secretaries, nurses, administrators, housekeepers, dietitians and therapists. From our child-care centers to our senior living facilities, Bon Secours recognizes the key role of women, in families and in the community. While Bon Secours gets top marks for pregnancy and birthing care, we know that complete health care for women goes well beyond the child-bearing years.
At Bon Secours, women live strong, thanks to over 300 physicians and 115 sub-specialists who deliver specially-targeted, compassionate medical care.

Visual Appeal, LLC is a graphic design studio providing marketing and public relations support.
We understand that design and brand awareness play a major role in the success or failure of a company. Visual Appeal has the experience and expertise to design, develop and creatively convey your company’s message.
Brand Identity: Whether you are looking to create a company brand or simply refresh your existing one, our services include logo identity and complete stationery package development.
Marketing Collateral: To further support your branding efforts, we develop marketing and promotional collateral that consistently communicates your company message.
Interactive Media: Expand your marketing arena! From company website development or rejuvenation, to the implementation of an email marketing campaign, we offer a number of services to meet your online communication needs.
Entice, Educate, And Engage!

abcReps.com is a website was designed with busy children’s boutique owners in mind. abcReps.com is a free service for upscale boutique owners to conveniently place orders with the best vendors in the industry all on one easy to use website. We help retailers save time, money, and the hassle of finding fresh new product ideas for their stores.

The hand-picked vendors on abcReps.com represent the most innovative and best-selling children’s products on the market. Retailers experience excellent customer service and benefit by working with one representative for all vendors on abcReps.com, alleviating some of the purchasing burdens small business owners feel.

BEL Network Integration & Support is a full service business integration company providing solutions to educational, commercial, state, and federal government clientele. We have enjoyed a reputation built on cost-effective pricing and quality performance to our customers over the years. We are a full service IT business systems company with an 18-year track record for providing quality solutions through innovative consulting, and delivering outstanding overall customer satisfaction. BEL is also a SWAM vendor certified by the State of Virginia to conduct business with this designation.

Philip Reese helps our customers attract more of their customers. 
We are a branding and marketing consultancy that designs and develops innovative strategies, programs and products for developing businesses. Our expertise includes market research, strategic planning, brand design, and integrated online/offline marketing.
If you’re trying to grow your business, contact us, to learn more about how we can help you

Astyra Corporation is the technology staffing and consulting firm with the inside knowledge and outside resources to transform technology needs into business results.
We are an award-winning staffing, outsourcing and technology integration firm. At Astyra, we offer a unique insider approach to solving our client’s business challenges and we keep our promises. We find highly skilled people and are experts in successfully matching associates to solutions. Our clients range from government agencies and financial institutions to engineering firms. At Astyra, we adapt quickly to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients; and we are a company who has evolved as we’ve grown. Smart ideas, ingenuity, and never settling for failure are the hallmark traits of our firm. We focus on “solution and execution”.
Whether you are a job seeker or an employer, contact us for we’re ready to help.
Astyra: We know technology staffing from the inside out.

An economically progressive city and Virginia's capital, Richmond offers a wealth of amenities not easily found among other East Coast municipalities.
Richmond's complete livability can be measured in numerous ways

• beautiful neighborhoods with striking architecture
• a vast cultural and educational heritage befitting its more than 200,000 citizens
• noted historic prestige tracing back to the early English settlers

Nationally recognized for its vitality and New Economy embrace, Richmond's diversified employment base extends from chemical, food and tobacco manufacturing to biotechnology, semiconductors and high-tech fibers. The city consistently ranks among "Best Places to Live and Work in America" in several national publications.
Richmond is among a handful of mid-sized cities to offer a flourishing cultural community enhanced by several first-class museums and prominent universities, its own symphony, professional ballet and opera, and numerous theater companies and art galleries.
While offering easy access to the ocean, mountains and Washington, D.C., Richmond features countless pastimes at home. Trendy boutiques and restaurants, numerous sports and entertainment attractions, outdoor pursuits among one of the nation's largest river park systems, and a treasure trove of historic landmarks provide fun times galore.
For the five million who visit each year, Richmond is increasingly recognized for many distinguished yet unheralded qualities long enjoyed by those who already live here.

We are Richmond Virginia's "Original Ford" Dealership! We have built a reputation on providing courteous, honest service. Our customers appreciate the way we do business, and we know you will too.

Personal attention and exquisite food define our catering service at Boss Chi Catering. Give your guests the royal treatment and put our professional talent at your disposal. Our highly trained culinary personnel commit themselves to providing attentive service and elegant food for your special occasion. No matter how challenging your event may be, we have the necessary skill and equipment to provide your party with the outstanding menu it deserves.
Don’t limit your party planning. Our convenient combination of quality and affordability allow you the freedom to plan the rest of your occasion however you would like. If you have any questions about what we have to offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to tailoring our abilities to your upcoming event.

Located in Downtown Richmond, Virginia, Wythken offers digital and offset printing for businesses, non-profits and VCU faculty, staff and students. Whether you need five posters or 50,000 business cards, Wythken will make it easy for you. Our experienced Graphic Design team can even help you design your project.
But printing shouldn’t just be easy. It should be quick, cost-effective and top quality. Our staff is professionally educated and trained in printing technology, so we can produce the best products for your organization to fit your budget and schedule. We also make sure our staff is trained in customer service, so they can walk you through the entire process. Even if you don’t know what kind of paper you need, just come to the shop on Grace Street and a Wythken team member will help you compare and choose the perfect stock from our vast selection.

Cox Radio, Inc. is one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States. The Company operates, acquires and develops radio stations primarily in markets ranked 10-70 based on revenues. A majority of the Company's stations are concentrated in the Sunbelt. Upon completion of all announced transactions, Cox Radio will own, operate or provide sales and marketing services to 86 stations in 19 markets. This radio portfolio includes 71 FM stations and 15 AM stations. In 16 of its 19 markets, Cox Radio operates three or more stations.
Cox Radio maintains the type of pro-employee atmosphere that will promote healthy, rewarding work experiences for all. New ideas and suggestions are encouraged and management works diligently to respond to employee questions and concerns. Periodic surveys are conducted to ensure that the company values are in place.

Tanya Free is a Richmond, Virginia based blogger and radio host, striving to tackle issues that are thought-provoking, relevant and practical, with just the facts; no spin. She is the host of The Tanya Free Experience “Destination Jazz’ heard Saturdays at 6pm on WCLM 1450AM.
Tanya’s Tips are broadcasted in the Central Virginia area Wednesdays on WCLM 1450AM and nationally on Sirius Left 146 and XM America Left 167. Tanya’s online “Question of the Week” gives her listeners and web community an opportunity to express themselves on the hottest topics of today.

Media General is a leading provider of news, information and entertainment across multiple media platforms, serving consumers and advertisers in strong local markets, primarily in the Southeastern United States.  Media General’s operations are organized in five geographic market segments and a sixth segment called Digital Media.

Our mission is to be the leading provider of high-quality news, information and entertainment in the Southeast by continually building our position of strength in strategically located markets. Our mission is driven by our core values of Integrity, Quality and Innovation. We have a long-term commitment to our employees, our c

ustomers, the communities we serve and our shareholders.

Urban Views Weekly celebrates and explores the lives, work, celebrations, and leisure of the African American community of Richmond, Virginia, and the surrounding region. We strive to raise the profiles of the many people who make Richmond a vibrant source and exchange of the very best that life offers. Urban Views Weekly publishes each week and is distributed throughout the Greater Richmond area.

Innovative Approach. Exceptional Products. Outstanding Service.

At Smarter Interiors, we take an innovative fresh approach by providing custom tailored products for each client. As a service focused firm, we have earned a reputation as the best furniture dealer and service provider in the Richmond marketplace.

Our commitment is to provide the highest quality products available and meet the budgets our clients have in mind in the time frame required.

Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company 
Together, we’re one of North America’s largest and most diverse financial services companies with a legendary reputation for strength and stability, offering more convenience and resources to help you reach your financial goals. We can serve you through more than 11,000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs, the Internet and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified financial services company providing banking insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance. We're headquartered in San Francisco, but we're decentralized so every local Wells Fargo store is a headquarters for satisfying all our customers' financial needs and helping them succeed financially.

We're Number 1 in the U.S. in community banking presence (6,600 stores), mortgage originations, small business lending, middle market commercial banking, agricultural lending, commercial real estate lending, commercial real estate brokerage and bank-owned insurance brokerage. We're Number 2 in deposits, home mortgage servicing, and debit card.

Cultural diversity in our workforce and in our supplier base enriches our organization and is a strategic business imperative as we seek to enhance our competitive position in increasingly multicultural markets. 

Buying power throughout the geographic areas SunTrust serves is represented by people from all walks of life (ethnicities, races, ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations). We design our products and services to appeal to this diverse customer base by employing people from those walks of life for their specialized insights and knowledge. We also strive to assure that the makeup of our workforce reflects the makeup of the communities we serve and that all of our customers (existing and potential) feel comfortable in their contacts with us. 

Efforts are underway to develop business strategies for ethnic and emerging markets that include:

• 50+
• Hispanics
• African-American entrepreneurs
• Female entrepreneurs

SunTrust's vision of becoming the leading financial services provider in our marketplace depends largely on strong, prosperous local economies. Our marketplace includes an increasingly diverse business community in which minority and women-owned enterprises are growing and having a positive influence. We are proud of our successes in supporting both minority businesses and women-owned businesses as we pursue our intent to be the bank of choice within our communities.

Capital One is a diversified bank that offers a broad array of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One has one of the most widely recognized brands in America. As one of the nation's tip 10 largest banks based on deposits, Capital One serves banking customers through branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Richmond BySolar is a leader in bringing renewable energy to Richmond, Virginia.
We are prepared to help those Richmond locals who want to use renewable energy in their business and homes. And we are helping research to get more energy out of our solar systems. We were the first SWaM certified Solar Company in Virginia. We are members of the Solar Energy Society. We currently have over ten certificates in site assessment, solar thermal, photovoltaic and radiant heating. We have experience in solar since 1984.

ACPI is a diverse I.T. Services Company that supports the computing needs of businesses of all sizes. Our goal is to assist in meeting your business objectives. In service to our customers, our guiding principles are to help our customers increase revenue, avoid costs and improve service. We work to make your business better. Our understanding of business applications, training, and experience with technology and business technology issues and our relationships with technology partners make ACPI a quality choice to support your I.T. needs.

At MARTIN’S, we’re proud that community stewardship is part of our corporate culture.
From the corporate office down to each individual store, engagement in the local community is a strong part of the Martin’s culture. We focus our efforts on improving the lives of children and fighting hunger. We work hard to be a good corporate citizen in every market we serve and support countless community efforts with our time, products and monetary donations.
Last year, MARTIN’S donated $15.8 million in combined cash and product contributions through customer, vendor, associate and corporate contributions.
As a company, we always strive to provide the best in product, price, customer service and convenience. Practicing good corporate citizenship is a high priority at MARTIN’S. Thank you to everyone who has made a difference, and for continuing to support our commitment to "Living Here, Giving Here".

We live and work in communities all over the world. So our workforce, by its very nature, is diverse. UPS hires talented people and then invests in their training and educational opportunities for both professional and personal growth.

UPS complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding diversity and equal opportunity, in every country and community in which we operate. Beyond that base-line requirement for a responsible business, we strive to increase our diversity, particularly among management employees, to match the composition of our customer base and the talent pool from which we recruit. We believe that diversity and equal opportunity are good for UPS, and that our employees should reflect the diversity of the communities where we operate. We act on these beliefs as a matter of policy.

The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) at the University of Richmond offers degree and certificate programs, enrichment opportunities, professional training, and summer programs to part-time and non-traditional students of all ages.
We pride ourselves on the service we provide our students—our mission and values guide everything we do.

With nearly 40,000 stores in 18 countries, including 7,000+ in the US and Canada, it is easy to say we are the world’s largest convenience retailer. Our global scale gives us capabilities that directly impact and improve store operations…and make 7-Eleven® a unique franchise opportunity.

At 38 percent, the number of female 7-Eleven franchisees in the state of Virginia is approximately double the national average of 18.5 percent.

As part of "The CarMax Commitment to Diversity," we recognize that our workforce is varied and diverse. The talents and skills of every Associate are vitally important to our company. Read below for our workplace statistics.
Workplace statistics

• More than 43% of our Associates are from diverse backgrounds
• 42% of our overall management is made up of multicultural and female Associates
• Over 10% more women work at CarMax compared to the average company in the automotive field*

* According to a 2003 New York Times article citing CNW Marketing Research as a source, the automotive industry averages a population of 2.1% women

The YMCA arrived in Richmond in 1854. To present, it has become a major and much-loved part of life in Central Virginia. The YMCA has demonstrated its ability to endure and thrive during war and peace, economic boom and bust, social stability and upheaval.
Today, it is a family-oriented institution welcoming all to develop their spiritual, mental and physical gifts. The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  Through numerous transformations, the YMCA of Greater Richmond has offered lasting benefits to the city and communities it serves.