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General Motors to Host 10th Annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference

Minority Business Leaders to Gather in Dallas May 18, 2005-22

NEW YORK, March 28 -- BLACK ENTERPRISE announced today that General Motors will serve as host of the 10th annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference, marking the second consecutive year the world's largest vehicle manufacturer has served as title sponsor. This year's event, themed Seasons of Change: Taking Risks, Embracing Opportunities, will be held May 18-22, 2005, at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, and is expected to draw approximately 2,000 of the nation's top African American entrepreneurs and business leaders.

"General Motors' continued dedication to the Entrepreneurs Conference is further testament to the company's dedication to the growth and development of black-owned businesses," says Earl G. Graves Sr., chairman and publisher of BLACK ENTERPRISE. "Since the event's inception, GM has been an integral part of the success of this conference."

"General Motors is pleased to partner with BLACK ENTERPRISE on an event that allows us to get further involved with entrepreneurs, businessmen, and women who are full of creative ideas and enthusiasm. These are the types of individuals with whom GM wants to do business," says GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Wagoner. "As a corporation, GM stresses the importance of valuing diversity as good business, and African Americans figure prominently into that equation, whether it's the billions of dollars in purchases from suppliers; the many employees who design, build, and market GM cars and trucks; or the dealers who sell our products."

For 35 years, BLACK ENTERPRISE has addressed the needs of the African American entrepreneur -- both in the pages of the award-winning magazine and through workshops and seminars for established and emerging businesses. Black enterprise began its reporting of the BE 100s in 1973 to highlight the nation's largest black-owned businesses. Motown Industries, the legendary music recording company founded by Berry Gordy, topped the list then with reported sales of $40 million. By 2004, the No. 1 BE 100s Company, World Wide Technologies Inc., reported sales of over $1 billion.

"Clearly, business ownership is a key component to building wealth," says Graves. "African Americans have more access to start-up capital than ever before. The Entrepreneurs Conference seeks to encourage participants to view business ownership as an exciting option and to seize current financial opportunities. Simultaneously, the event maintains an advanced track for established entrepreneurs who seek to further their businesses by networking, strategizing, and gaining further knowledge about the essential tools needed to compete and thrive in today's ultra competitive environment."

For more information and a complete schedule of events for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference hosted by General Motors, visit http://www.blackenterprise.com/ .

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate guide to financial empowerment, is the premier business and investment resource for African Americans. For 35 years, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. The publication provides 3.8 million readers with monthly information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. As the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, black enterprise is the authority for business news and trends. The magazine is published by Earl G. Graves Publishing Co. Inc.

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