Zogby International and Hispanic Heritage Foundation Announce Research Findings on the Subject of Diversity During a Public Policy Panel Discussion Hosted by ExxonMobil

Business Wire, Oct 9, 2008

* Two-fifths of respondents (38%) have an immediate supervisor who is of a different race, including more than half of all African-Americans (56%). Those who believe there is a difference between race and ethnicity (38%) are equally likely to say that they have a supervisor who is of another ethnicity, including a majority of Hispanics/Latinos (56%) and African-Americans (71%).

* Two-in-five respondents (41%) would feel comfortable moving into a neighborhood where most of the residents are of another race. Of those who believe there is a difference between race and ethnicity, half (49%) would feel comfortable moving into a neighborhood where most residents are of a different ethnicity.

* Two-thirds (62%) have at least one close friend who is of a different race. That rate is particularly high among Hispanics/Latinos (78%) and African-Americans (84%). Approximately three-quarters (72%) have at least one close friend who is of another ethnicity.

* The majority of respondents (59%) do not believe that living in a diverse neighborhood is important; however, half of Latinos/Hispanics (50%) and the vast majority of African-Americans believe so (72%).

* Sixty-four percent believe that diversity helps the well-being of the United States, although Americans are generally divided over the amount of diversity in the U.S. -- too much (20%), too little (18%) or the right amount (19%).

* Nearly all respondents (82%) agree that in the next generation, their communities will be more diverse and the majority (62%) believe it is important for their children to grow up in such a community.

Note: For a complete copy of the report or to arrange an interview with a Zogby research analyst, please contact Esther Rege at esther@parkandassociates.com or 202.210.8469.

The panel discussion featured: Anita Galiano, Director, LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) diversity program; Grecia Gonzalez, 2008 Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards recipient, freshman at Harvard University; Maribel Ramos, Legislative Assistant, Sen. James Webb (D-VA); Sam Rodgers, Research Analyst, Zogby International; Mary Frances Winters, Founder, The Winters Group, a leading development and diversity consulting firm; and Jesse Rodriguez, 2002 Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards recipient, MSNBC Planning Producer and member of NBC's Diversity Council. U.S Rep. James Moran (R-VA) is invited to open the panel discussion.

Allianz Life, Hilton Hotels, MTV, Southwest Airlines and UPS are also sponsoring the panel discussion and lunch.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation identifies, inspires, promotes and prepares Latino leaders in the community, classroom and workforce. Please visit www.HispanicHeritage.org for more information.

Zogby International is a public opinion, research, and business solutions firm with experience working in more than 70 countries around the globe. Founded and led by John Zogby since 1984, Zogby International ranks as one of the industry's leaders thanks to its reputation for superior accuracy and reliability. John Zogby is the author of The Way We'll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream, published by Random House in August 2008 and now available online and in bookstores. For more information, please visit www.zogby.com