"Our customers are recognizing the immense value of diversity because our employees have similar backgrounds and styles to them, and it provides them with a more meaningful experience"
Thurmond B. Woodard, Dell's vice president of global diversity and chief ethics officer

Dell will receive the U.S. Department of Labor's 2004 Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) award today for its recruitment, mentoring, career development and community outreach initiatives.

"Dell has fostered a winning culture fueled by highly talented and committed employees who reflect our global customer and supplier base, in part, by striving for diversity at work, with its suppliers and in the marketplace," said Thurmond B. Woodard, Dell's vice president of global diversity and chief ethics officer. "Our customers are recognizing the immense value of diversity because our employees have similar backgrounds and styles to them, and it provides them with a more meaningful experience."

The EVE Award, established in 1983, is given to federal contractors that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in diversity. People of color and women represent more than half of Dell's U.S. employees and nearly one third of U.S. managers, and are well represented throughout the company's senior management. In its fiscal year 2004, Dell grew its year-over-year spending with minority and women business entrepreneurs by 60 percent, awarding nearly $180 million in new contracts to diverse suppliers.

Over the past decade, Dell has partnered with multicultural organizations to support access to technology, talent, and business and education opportunities. Those organizations include: the United Negro College Fund, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Catalyst and the Asian, and African-American Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, Dell has been preparing low-income and underserved middle school students for a future career in IT through its TechKnow program, currently in place at more than 20 school districts nationwide.

"Dell's diversity efforts support the mission of the CBC Foundation, including efforts to recruit and train the next generation of African-American business leaders, and promote partnerships with minority-owned enterprises," said U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who also is CBC chair. "We congratulate Dell on receiving the U.S. Department of Labor's EVE award, and are proud to consider them a trusted partner."

U.S. Rep. and CHCI Chair Ciro Rodriguez said, "Dell's commitment to advancing the interests and opening the doors of opportunity to the Latino community serve as an inspiring example of how diversity benefits today's modern enterprises. From internal operations and external suppliers to executive management and entry-level employees, Dell's diversity efforts are incorporated throughout its operations. We join in congratulating Dell on this much deserved recognition and look forward to working with them on our shared objectives."