On this date in 1969, Diversity Information Resources (DIR) was incorporated. This was one of the first business groups in America created to encourage whites to do business with Black businesses.
Known as “TRY US Resources” in its beginning, Diversity Information Resources was founded in Minneapolis in 1968 by H. Peter Meyerhoff. He was an aeronautics engineer at Honeywell. Personally affected by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he sought to advance race relations by improving economic conditions for Blacks.
Meyerhoff and his wife were white-European Jews who escaped Hitler at the outset of World War II. The victims of discrimination launched the “Buy Black” directory, a 10-page directory of Black-owned businesses. Still operating effectively today, the DIR directory/database has grown to include more than 10,000 certified minority and women-owned businesses. A board of directors representing major U.S. corporations sets the policy and direction for Diversity Information Resources. Diversity Information Resources has expanded its operations to include educational seminars and other publications.
DIR’s Mission Statement is To be the global leader in providing information resources that develop, influence, and support supplier diversity growth.
