The Executive Leadership Foundation™ Taps The National Urban League and The NAACP To Receive Funds to Support Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts in New Orleans

The Executive Leadership Foundation - the 501 ( c) 3 charitable affiliate of The Executive Leadership Council - surprised leaders of The NAACP and The National Urban League with gifts of $100K each at The Executive Leadership Council's Spring General Membership Meeting held June 1-4 in Orlando, FL. The $200K gift to support economic recovery efforts of black communities affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans was approved and announced at last year's Annual Recognition Dinner. Since that time, the business leadership organization contracted a corporate consultant to conduct a community needs assessment and deliver a plan aimed at helping affected businesses and colleges work more effectively with corporations and community leaders engaged in community rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.

"With a need so huge, The Foundation wanted to be strategic in determining how to best use these funds and support recovery efforts in a manner in keeping with our mission," said Foundation Chair Herman Bulls, CEO Public Institutions, Jones Lang LaSalle.

NAACP President Bruce Gordon, a member of The Executive Leadership Council and a former Verizon executive, accepted the gift following his address Thursday evening. Friday's speaker was former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, President of The National Urban League. In their remarks, both leaders highlighted the tremendous economic recovery needs, blighted community infrastructure, and higher education challenges confronting African American communities affected by the storm. The funds will support their initiatives addressing those needs.

"The NAACP and the National Urban League have been social and economic change agents in the African American community for nearly a century," said Council President and CEO Carl Brooks. "As The Council celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are proud to be able to support these two organizations as they work to rebuild New Orleans. Their advocacy has helped open the doors to our success and will help us face the challenges ahead."

Founded in 1986, The Executive Leadership Council is the nation's premier leadership organization of the most senior African American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies-providing members with a network and leadership forum to influence the achievement of excellence in business, economic and public policies for the African American community, their corporations and the community at large.

Throughout 2006, the organization will hold a series of events to celebrate 20 years of advocacy on behalf of African American corporate executives. The highlight of the year will be the 20th Anniversary Recognition Dinner gala in Washington, DC. Some 2,500 corporate, public policy and higher education leaders will recognize the achievements of Clarence Otis, Jr., CEO, Darden Restaurants; Johnetta Cole, President, Bennett College; and companies representing Altria Group. The theme of the gala is "Celebrating Our Past, Facing Tomorrow's Challenges." For more information consult www.elcinfo.com.