Alexandria, VA (Sept. 14, 2015) – The Executive Leadership Foundation (ELF) announced today honorees for its 2015 Recognition Gala celebrating individuals and corporations for their support of diversity, inclusion and achievement in business. The ELF’s 2015 honorees include The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82^nd Attorney General of the United States, Merck Chairman & CEO Kenneth C. Frazier, and Caterpillar Inc. The ELF will pay tribute to this year’s honorees during an awards ceremony on October 8^th at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, MD.

The ELF is the charitable arm of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the pre-eminent membership organization comprised of C-Suite and senior level black executives, board directors of Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs from top-tier entrepreneur firms, committed to increasing the number of global black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises.

Mr. Holder will be presented with the Global Game Changer Award for his remarkable career in public service. He is the third longest serving attorney general in U.S. history and the first African American to hold the office. Mr. Frazier will receive the Achievement Award that honors his accomplishments as head of one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world. He is one of only six black CEOs currently heading the nation’s largest corporations (Fortune 500) out of only 15 total who have ever held that position. Caterpillar Inc. will be presented with the Corporate Award given to a corporation that has made significant contributions to the advancement of black corporate executives.

More than 2,000 guests, including many of corporate America’s leading CEOs and senior executives, thought leaders and politicos, will gather to celebrate this year’s honorees. Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier will co-host the black-tie affair alongside actress Nicole Ari Parker, co-host of the new daytime talk show “Boris and Nicole.” Monies raised from the Gala each year are used to fund The ELF’s philanthropic efforts.

“We are proud to honor the accomplishments of exceptional companies and individuals who represent Black executive leadership at the highest level,” says Ronald C. Parker, President and CEO, The Executive Leadership Council. “Our honorees have paved the way for future generations of global black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities in which they serve.”

“The Power of One” theme of the 2015 Gala symbolizes The ELF’s commitment to developing future global black leaders. At this year’s event, ELF will mark the 5^th Year Anniversary of its Community Impact Initiative, which provides financial contributions to select organizations and partners with them to improve the educational outcomes of black students, thereby developing an inclusive leadership pipeline of future black business leaders. To date, the Community Impact Initiative has contributed approximately $1.7 million to select nonprofits.

The Gala will also highlight the Foundation’s scholarship programs that have reached 10,500 undergraduate and graduate students through The ELF’s leadership development programs and educational initiatives.

During Gala Week, The ELC’s Institute for Leadership Development & Research will host the Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium (MLMS), a two-day professional development seminar for aspiring managers and executives to learn and network.

Sponsors of The ELF’s 2015 Recognition Gala include: Lead Sponsor, Cisco; Supporting Sponsors, Prudential and Shell Oil; and Contributing Sponsors, AARP and Nationwide. PepsiCo and Target are Co-Lead Sponsors of this year’s MLMS.

About The Executive Leadership Council:

The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation founded in 1986, is the pre-eminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises. Comprised of more than 600 current and former black CEOs, board members and senior executives at Fortune 1000 companies and equivalents, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.elcinfo.com.

About The Executive Leadership Foundation:

The Executive Leadership Foundation (ELF), the 501(c)(3) related charitable organization of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), focuses on improving local communities and helping disadvantaged groups within the broader society through its support for education programs, and provides scholarships to deserving students interested in business and corporate careers. For more information about The ELC and ELF, please visit www.elcinfo.com.