ldunbar@nul.org

New York, NY, November 15, 2000–The National Urban League is honoring an esteemed group of individuals and corporations during its 44^th annual Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Awards Dinner this evening at New York City’s Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. The event begins with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by the awards dinner at 7:00 PM.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson; Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.; Franklin Raines; Kenneth I. Chenault; and Ann and Theodore Kheel will receive special honors, and eight corporations and eleven foundations will be inducted into the League’s Million Dollar Hall of Fame.

The National Urban League’s Annual EOD Awards Dinner honors individuals and corporations who perpetuate the principle of equal opportunity and exhibit leadership qualities that result in notable contributions to the cause of equal rights. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the League’s education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion initiatives.

Traditionally, funds donated by Million Dollar Hall of Fame honorees go towards furthering the League’s initiatives in the areas of education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion, as well as supporting general League operations.

John Thain, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., is this year’s Dinner Chairman, and Roz Abrams, Anchor, Eyewitness News, WABC-TV, Channel 7, New York, is the Mistress of Ceremonies. Because this year marks the League’s 90^th anniversary, the evening’s festivities will also feature a look back at the organization’s nine decades of service.

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National Urban League’s 44^th Annual EOD Awards Dinner…Page Two

Following are the details about this year’s National Urban League 44^th Annual EOD Awards Dinner honorees:

• Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., with the Corporate Leadership Award for their trailblazing efforts in creating an environment that fosters equal opportunity among society’s diverse cultures, while providing the catalyst for personal and professional achievement, as evidenced by their ScholarshipBuilder program. David H. Komansky, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., accepted the award on behalf of the company.

• Kenneth I. Chenault, President and Chief Operating Officer, American Express Company, with the Leadership Award in recognition of his achievements, advancements and leadership within America’s corporate stratosphere.

• Franklin Raines, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fannie Mae with the National Public Service Award in recognition of his path-finding role heading the Office of Management and Budget and for becoming the first African-American to run a Fortune 500 company and shatter the CEO glass ceiling barrier.

• Earvin "Magic" Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Magic Johnson Enterprises with the Community Service Award in recognition of the great strides he made in raising the economic development playing field of minority communities across the country, as evidenced by his successful chain of movie theaters, and for the philanthropic efforts enacted through the Magic Johnson Foundation, a non-profit organization which directs its efforts toward the health, educational, and social needs of inner city youth.

• Mrs. Ann S. Kheel and Mr. Theodore W. Kheel with the Special Recognition Award in honor of their combined decades of service to the League.

Following are the eight corporations and three foundations the League is inducting into its Million Dollar Hall of Fame: The Allstate Insurance Company; Eastman Kodak Company; Fannie Mae Foundation; Kellogg Company; Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation; Morgan Stanley Dean Witter; Nationwide; PepsiCo.; The Rockefeller Foundation; Ryder System, Inc. and Texaco Inc.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a nonprofit organization that, through its more than 100 affiliates in 34 states and the District of Columbia, provides direct services and functions as an advocate to generate policy reforms that empower African-Americans to achieve economic, academic and racial equality. The League’s headquarters is located at 120 Wall Street in New York City. Visit the League’s Web site at www.nul.org.