New York, N.Y. - June 9, 2005 - The National Urban League announced today that registration for its annual conference is now open and available via its website at www.nul.org and telephone toll-free at (800) 263-9926. The conference will convene July 27 through July 31 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

This year's theme is Celebrating 95 Years of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives and is expected to draw 15,000 attendees from across the nation and region. Washington Mutual is the 2005 conference chair.

Scheduled events include plenary sessions featuring invited guests he Honorable Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator (NY) and the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. , Founder & President Rainbow Coalition/PUSH. Other plenary sessions speakers include John Jacob and Hugh Price, former Presidents of the National Urban League, Dick Gregory author and activist, Kevin Powell, Hip-Hop Historian and author; Hazel R. O'Leary, President, Fisk University; Dr. H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University and Dr. Norman E. Francis, President, Xavier University of New Orleans.

Highlights of this year's conference include an exciting, interactive exhibit hall with five specialty zones, three high-powered luncheons, two concerts featuring India Arie, Brian McKnight, Doug E. Fresh and Chuck Brown, daily networking sessions, a variety of registration options and a new young professional's Influencer Summit.

"As we celebrate 95 years of direct service to communities across this nation, we expect the annual conference in Washington, D.C. to be the largest gathering of the Urban League Movement, said Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO. "The annual conference will feature innovative and interactive plenary sessions and events that present some of the nation's most illustrious and influential leaders. It also gives us a chance to discuss and finds ways to help one another in closing the tremendous gaps that exist in health, education and economics. The annual conference helps bring people together around issues of concern to our community and the nation."

The Greater Washington Urban League, under the leadership of President and CEO Maudine R. Cooper and Jerry A. Moore III, Chairman Board of Directors, Greater Washington Urban League, Partner, Venable LLP, is the host affiliate. Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. Executive Vice President Community Relations, Chairman, Freddie Mac Foundation is Host Committee Chairman. Kerry Killinger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington Mutual will serve as Conference General Chairperson.

National Urban League annual conference activities open to registered guests include the National Urban League President Marc H. Morial's keynote address, which will include special remarks from Michael J. Critelli, National Urban League Chairman of the Board and CEO, Pitney Bowes Inc. and Kerry Killinger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington Mutual, Inc. and the annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Gala tribute to legends. The Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary, President, Fisk University; Dr. H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University and Dr. Norman E. Francis, President, Xavier University of New Orleans are the awardees.

The second annual Woman of Power Luncheon will pay tribute to Marian Wright Edelman, Founder & CEO, Children's Defense Fund; Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., President & CEO Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Carol H. Williams, President, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Carol H. Williams Advertising; Ursula M. Burns, President, Business Group Operations & Senior Vice President, Xerox Corporation; the Honorable Anice Wagner, District of Columbia Circuit Court Judge; Michelle McQueen Martin, News Correspondent, ABC News; The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congressional Representative for the District of Columbia; and Briana Scurry, Olympic Gold Medalist, U.S. Women's Soccer.

Other invited speakers and panelists include John Thompson, Sr. , Former Coach, Men's Basketball, Georgetown University & Radio Talk Show Host; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, AME Church, 13th Episcopal District; Regent Adelaide L. Sanford, Vice Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents; the Honorable Harold Ford, Jr. , House of Representatives (D-Tennessee); Donna Brazile, Founder and Managing Director of Brazile and Associates, LLC; Kwame Jackson, Chairman, Legacy Holdings, 'the Apprentice' finalist; Kelvin Boston, President, Boston Media, Inc.; Alfred A. Edmond Jr. , Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Black Enterprise Magazine; Etu Evans, Founder and Chief Shoemaker; Jackie Rhinehart, Vice President Marketing, Black Music Universal/Motown and Kofi Moyo, Chairman, Real Men Cook Charities and Resource Associates International.

The National Urban League Young Professional is an auxiliary organization dedicated to bringing the next generation of leaders into the Urban League movement. The NULYP serves as an umbrella over dozens of Urban League Young Professional chapters in cities across the country. Through these chapters, thousands of members work to advance the Urban League agenda through corporate, social and community activism. This year's Influencer Summit track includes sessions with highly sought-out national speakers, keynote luncheons, interactive workshops and One-on-One Corporate CEO roundtables.

In addition, strategic forums will address empowering the Black Male, closing the achievement gap, sports panels, international affairs, business development, health roundtable, community policing, civil rights and civic engagement, homeownership, franchise ownership, black mayors and small business development.

Other highlights include a NULITES (National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed) Youth Summit; a Cultural Night featuring Chuck Brown and Doug E. Fresh and a Benefit Concert with performances by Brian McKnight and India Arie.

Admission to the Empowerment Exhibits Zones is free. The empowerment exhibits zones will feature an employment, health, technology, and homeownership and fun zones. Last year's career fair featured the participation of more than 100 Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, as well as non-profit and government agencies with both local and national job opportunities. Job seekers can have face-to-face discussions and interviews with recruiters.

More information about the National Urban League's 2005 Annual Conference registration, exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities is available on the League's website at www.nul.org or by calling (800-263-9926).

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