Established in 1989, The Executive Leadership Foundation implements and sponsors educational and professional development programs created by The Executive Leadership Council members with support from their corporations. This pro diversity partnership between African American corporate executives and Fortune 500 leaders is helping to make the case for diversity as a business imperative, develop the next generation of African American corporate executives, and model inclusive corporate leadership in companies working with The Council to gain insight about the complexities of the diverse workforce and barriers to inclusive leadership.

Over the years, CEOs and other corporate leaders have found that programs and initiatives supported by The Executive Leadership Foundation offer valuable career development, leadership opportunities, and dynamic public forums where CEOs and executive leaders can express their support of diversity and best diversity practices. The annual Recognition Awards Dinner, held during October in Washington, DC, is a public event attended by some 2,500 leaders representing corporate America, public policy, and higher education.