CenterPoint Energy recognizes the importance of minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) to the economies of the nation, the states and the communities we serve, as well as to the corporation itself. We are committed to pursuing business relationships with such enterprises and using innovative approaches designed to continually improve business opportunities. Our commitment is not philanthropic: the relationships we are seeking must meet the test of providing value both to CenterPoint Energy and to the MWBEs.

CenterPoint Energy's supplier diversity objectives are to:

• to continually and proactively discover and network with qualified diverse partners who can provide value-adding goods and services in a competitive market
• to actively engage in the development and enhancement of opportunities for diverse and small business concerns
• to educate and demonstrate to our prime suppliers the value of supplier diversity inclusion while encouraging their support and involvement

CenterPoint Energy’s supplier diversity Initiatives are overseen by a Senior Management Diversity Steering Committee and directed by the Supplier Diversity Organization. All CenterPoint Energy management and employees share in this corporate-wide commitment and responsibility by focusing on the implementation of procurement processes and procedures to enhance opportunities.