NEW YORK (February 6, 2013) -- A collaborative effort among Verizon Wireless, the National Urban League and other advocacy organizations to increase outreach to minority- and women-owned telecommunications companies helped to bring about a $189 million sale to a minority-owned firm.

The sale of a 700 MHz B block wireless spectrum licenses to Grain Management, a Sarasota, Florida-based private equity firm, is part of an ongoing effort to create opportunity for  women and minorities, said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League.

“We congratulate Grain Management and applaud Verizon Wireless for its commitment to diversity and inclusion,” Morial said. “Verizon worked to identify qualified business and to target a diverse group of bidders, and we are proud to have partnered with Verizon in that effort,” Morial said.

Morial said that these kinds of transactions involving minority-owned businesses will help to close the infrastructure divide in underserved communities as well as create jobs and opportunity.

“A greater percentage of African Americans access the Internet through wireless devices than white or Hispanic Americans and the population in general,” Morial said. “Because people of color are the leading adopters of wireless technology, it’s vital that the industry continue to create opportunity for minority entrepreneurs and workers.


CONTACT:      Teresa Candori
                        (212) 558-5433