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2000 Press Releases

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NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE INDUCTS EIGHT CORPORATIONS AND THREE FOUNDATIONS INTO ITS MILLION DOLLAR HALL OF FAME DURING ITS

44^th ANNUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY AWARDS DINNER

New York, NY, November 15, 2000–The National Urban League will induct eight corporations and three foundations into its Million Dollar Hall of Fame this evening during its 44^th Annual Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Awards Dinner at New York City’s Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, National Urban League President Hugh B. Price announced.

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.

Following are the names of the class of 2000 National Urban League Million Dollar Hall of Fame inductees: 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.

"Through their generous donations, these organizations demonstrate an understanding that supporting initiatives in these critical areas is vital to African-American success in the 21^st century," Price said. "Their gifts represent a marked investment and belief in the League’s efforts to advance its agenda in relation to these issues."

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.

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National Urban League’s Million Dollar Hall Of Fame…Page Two

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.

Other National Urban League 44^th Annual EOD Awards Dinner honorees included:

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc — The Corporate Leadership Award (accepted by David H. Komansky, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) for their trailblazing efforts in creating an environment which fosters equal opportunity among society’s diverse cultures, while providing the catalyst for personal and professional achievement, as evidenced by the success of their historic ScholarshipBuilder program.

Franklin Raines, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fannie Mae — 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.

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

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

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Magic Johnson Enterprises — The Community Service Award for 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.

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.