DHL To Recognize Small-Business Equity Award Recipients In Kennesaw, Georgia

Ten Local Business Owners Receive Second Distribution of DHL Grants to Promote Microenterprise Development

Atlanta, Ga. -- April 26, 2006, DHL, the world’s leading global express delivery and logistics company, will recognize the recipients of cash grants distributed in the form of ten DHL equity awards to Atlanta-area microbusinesses on Thursday, April 27. This is DHL’s second year of the "DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs" business partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national microenterprise development trade and membership association.

The Edge Connection, a Georgia-based AEO affiliate, will be distributing the DHL award grants. Through important community partners like DHL, The Edge Connection provides low-income women, people with disabilities and other underserved individuals with access to business and technical training, and capital to launch a business or expand an existing business. One business receiving an award grant is a husband and wife team who are victims of Hurricane Katrina. Their home and business in New Orleans were totally destroyed, and the support from the equity award grants will help them rebuild their business in Georgia.

The DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs program provides financial awards and pre-paid DHL ShipReady shipping products designed to assist underserved microentrepreneurs in the development of their businesses and provides practical assistance to low and moderate income microenterprises, enabling them to strengthen their shipping functions. The program started last year with recipients in South Florida, Houston and Phoenix, and is expanding this year to include Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Virginia and Washington State.

"DHL is commended for supporting the largest growing segment of entrepreneurs in this country - microbusiness ventures" said Patricia Harris, executive director of The Edge Connection. "Many of these deserving grant winners have expressed the desire to leverage the support received through DHL for technology equipment as well as for marketing which is critical to their success. This equity and delivery services grant from DHL truly demonstrates their commitment to community and corporate social responsibility" continued Harris.

"At DHL, we’ve made a commitment to addressing the needs of small- to mid-sized businesses" said Kelly Keogh, director of corporate citizenship, DHL. "The success of entrepreneurs in markets such as Houston, South Florida and Phoenix proved beyond any doubt that we’ve focused our efforts in the right place. Given the opportunity, our partnership with The Edge Connection and the grant recipients in the Atlanta area should help these deserving entrepreneurs get the jump start they need to compete and flourish within their community"

A hands-on DHL employee volunteer project incorporated into the program also gives DHL employees the opportunity to make personal professional service contributions to selected area microentrepreneurs. As part of the "DHL Cares Day" initiative, DHL volunteers will provide Atlanta-area microbusinesses hands-on guidance on any number of issues related to small businesses, including shipping and distribution and customer service.

An awards ceremony will be held at The Edge Connection’s 21st Graduation Ceremony, located at Kennesaw State University, Continuing Education Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30144 on April 27, 2006 at 7:00 PM. The grant recipients of the ten Georgia state microenterprises $1,000 cash awards are:

- Alice Morris, President, Vim & Vigor Vending
- Michael and Eshiqita Washington, Owners, Up Up & Away
- Mechel Glass, President, Beat Debt, Inc.
- Leslie Sperry, President, L. L. Beads
- Dwayne Mack, President, Impressive Portraits
- Marlon Simpson, President, Blue Marlin Seafood
- Sonya Gilkey, President, G Positive Enterprises
- Tammy Hurt, President, Outsource Events, Inc.
- David Vogelpohl, President, Aristocrat Technical Services
- Elaine Newberg, President, Frames & Art 4 U

About AEO
AEO’s mission is to support the development of strong and effective U.S. microenterprise initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses. For more information on AEO, please visit www.microenterpriseworks.org.

About DHL
At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

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