ldunbar@nul.org">ldunbar@nul.org

Columbus, Ohio, July 20, 2000–The National Urban League announced today that, through a $1.5 million grant from Nationwide Insurance, it has created The National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality, based in Washington, DC.

The Institute, which grew out of exploratory conversations between Nationwide and the National Urban League, and is based out of the League’s Washington Operations, will conduct research, policy analysis and advocacy focused on issues of critical importance to the African-American community and the nation as a whole.

Dedicated to the pursuit of economic self-reliance and equal opportunity for African Americans, the Institute’s work will concentrate on such key issues as employment and workforce development, education, housing, criminal justice, economic and community development and macroeconomic policy.

The Institute will provide data and analysis on the impact of current and proposed public policies on African Americans and urban communities, and will offer policy prescriptions aimed at ensuring access for African Americans to the economic, social and political mainstream of America.

"The National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality is the first policy research center whose agenda is rooted in the everyday realities of African Americans in communities served by the Urban League movement who are striving for the economic mainstream," said National Urban League president Hugh B. Price.

"Throughout our history, the League has been renowned and respected for the quality and policy relevance of our research. Yet in recent years, financial constraints forced us to scale back our research activities, leaving policymakers, opinion leaders and our constituents wanting for information and policy prescriptions derived from our unique community-based perspective."

"Thanks to this visionary $1.5 million, three-year grant from Nationwide Insurance, the National Urban League can revive its historic policy research role focused on African Americans and urban communities."

— more —

"By creating the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality, we can now join with such leading think tanks as the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Urban Institute in providing critically important data, policy analysis and aggressive advocacy to help propel our people into the American mainstream," Mr. Price concluded.

"Nationwide is pleased to be providing the seed money for the establishment of the League’s Institute for Opportunity and Equality," said Galen R. Barnes, president and chief operating officer, Nationwide Insurance.

"We are especially pleased to be involved in the work of the Institute and its first study, which we hope will help initiate a shift in thinking about some tough, problematic issues facing America. In turn, we hope this shift in thinking enables new policies and behaviors that remove barriers and create new opportunities for those who are denied access. We believe this partnership with the National Urban League is another valuable element in Nationwide’s urban market strategy."

Price added that for the Institute’s first body of work, the League has retained DYG, Inc., the renowned survey research organization founded by Daniel Yankelovich and Madelyn Hochstein, to conduct a survey of the attitudes and experiences of Fortune 1000 corporate leaders.

The purpose of this survey is twofold: (1) to identify the essential attributes that contribute to success in the business world; and (2) to examine the connection between corporate success and performance on standardized exams, such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), which play such a pivotal role in college admissions. The League will announce the survey results sometime in the fall of 2000.

Overseeing the operations of the National Urban League Institute for Opportunity and Equality, located at 1111 14^th Street, NW, in Washington, DC, will be Dr. William E. Spriggs, currently the League’s Director for Research and Public Policy. Under the direction of Dr. Spriggs, the Institute plans to release two to three high-profile research projects per year.

Nationwide, a leading provider of diversified insurance and financial services, had 1999 assets of more than $115 billion and is ranked #128 on the Fortune 500. The company ranks as the 30th largest financial services company in the world, with more than 28,000 employees worldwide. Nationwide Insurance is the fifth largest insurer of homeowners and autos in the United States. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., is Nationwide\'s retirement savings and income business. Its principal holding, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, is among the country\\\'s 10 largest life insurers.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a nonprofit organization whose 114 affiliates in 34 states and the District of Columbia provide direct services and function as advocates 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.