THE GLOBAL DIVERSITY GROUP BUSINESS EXCHANGE: 2003 TOUR FOR SUCCESS

Russell Simmons joins Global Diversity Group, VOLVO Cars North America and Leading Business Agencies for the Growth of Minority Small Businesses Chicago, IL Hyatt Regency McCormick Place July 17, 2003

(PRWEB) July 5, 2003 -- Successful entrepreneur Russell Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications - the 2002 BLACK ENTERPRISE Company of the Year - has joined forces with Global Diversity Group, Inc. and Volvo Cars of North America to bring the "Global Diversity Group Business Exchange: 2003 Tour for Success" to emerging minority entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country.

Joining Mr. Simmons and the TOUR is Mr. Kelvin Boston, president of Boston Media, Inc. Boston Media, Inc. is responsible for producing the Moneywise with Kelvin Boston PBS television series, the Moneywise Minute ABC radio program, and the best selling book Smart Money Moves For African Americans (Putnam/Perigee 1996).

The Chicago, IL event begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Free Power Breakfast for the first 150 people who have pre-registered by July 10. (email zona@globaldiversitygroup.com to RSVP for Power Breakfast). After July 10, the cost of the Power Breakfast will be $15.00. The days event will then proceed with free interactive workshops being held all day on July 22, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. focusing on key business issues and trends.

The highlight of the day will be Kelvin Boston as guest speaker at the Partnership for Progress Luncheon leading to the evening Success Stories featuring a keynote speech by Russell Simmons from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A VIP Reception from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. will conclude the event with live music, good food, great networking opportunities and Russell Simmons.

Citibank is offering a special price to the first 200 who purchase tickets to both the Partnership for Progress Luncheon and VIP Reception. If tickets are purchased for both events before July 10, 2003, the price will be $60.00 (per person). If purchased separated or after July 10, 2003, the tickets are $35.00 for the Partnership for Progress Luncheon and $50.00 for the VIP Reception (per person).

The seminars and panel discussions will focus on pertinent business matters such as: "Doing Business with the Government", "Strategies for Effectively Networking and Marketing Your Company", "Effectively Using Technology to Improve Your Business" and "Access to Capital" and a series of Business Basics for the new small business startups.

"We want to provide minorities with business solutions to meet the challenges of the new economy and help lead them to success," said Melodie Cunningham, event producer and President of Global Diversity Group, Inc. "The event will offer participants invaluable information that they can utilize to launch, grow and successfully manage their businesses."

The "Global Diversity Group Business Exchange: 2003 Tour for Success" is sponsored by Volvo Cars of North America, Citibank, Hewlett-Packard, American Airlines and Office Depot.

"On behalf of Volvo Cars of North America, once again we are extremely proud to participate with Global Diversity Group as the title sponsor of the Tour for Success Sponsorship. Volvo cares about the development of the Minority Business Owners and we are inspired by their efforts to become a successful contributor in the diverse communities they are operating," said Gregory Dixon, Sales & Marketing Manager, Volvo Cars of North America.

"Seminars such as these will help to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to receive additional insight from keynote speakers and the chance to network with other business owners in their community. Volvo is proud to provide the participants and the speakers the platform to further develop their business and invest in the future."

"As the world's largest supplier of office products, Office Depot proudly supports the "2003 Global Diversity Small Business Tour" and is committed to providing office supplies and solutions to entrepreneurs launching, managing and growing their businesses," said Julian Acosta, Multicultural Marketing Manager of Office Depot.

"Citibank also believes that minority entrepreneurs add tremendous value to the business world, so our partnership with ‘Global Diversity Group Business Exchange: 2003 Tour for Success is a natural one," said Darryl Hendricks, President of Citibank Illinois. "At Citibank, we strive to make each community where we have operations a better place. We know that this small business initiative will contribute to that goal."

For more information go to www.mpbnetwork.com

About Global Diversity Group
Headquartered in Columbia, MD, Global Diversity Group, Inc. is a unique network community that focuses on minorities interested in a "self-help" approach to starting and expanding businesses. Founded by Melodie Cunningham in January 2002, Global Diversity Group specializes in bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals and industry experts to share business concepts and to network through the utilization of various media outlets. Global Diversity Group pulled off its "Business Exchange: Tour for Success" in 2002 with Mr. Earvin "Magic" Johnson as a keynote speaker in all 12 state tour cities.

For more information on the "Global Diversity Group Business Exchange: 2003 Tour for Success", or to schedule an interview with Melodie Cunningham, please contact Global Diversity Group, Inc. at 1.888.265.6480.