New York, N.Y. - June 22, 2005 - Thousands of young African American professionals will lend their voices, time and resources to the fight against HIV/AIDS, when the National Urban League Young Professionals hold their 2nd annual "NULYP National Day of Service" on Saturday, June 25, 2005. Over 45 NULYP chapters nationwide will participate in community service events from volunteering at HIV/AIDS agencies and hospices, sponsoring HIV testing days and holding forums about sex and HIV infection to sponsoring Health Fairs and screening films about AIDS. NULYP is a volunteer auxiliary group of the National Urban League whose members range in ages 21-40. This event is in partnership with the Black Aids Institute.

"The National Urban League Young Professionals represent the new generation of African American leaders, entrepreneurs and civil servants who are not only committed to making a difference in urban communities, but are vital to the future of the Urban League movement. We believe it is imperative for National Urban League Young Professionals nationwide to be in the forefront on mounting issues facing individuals under 40 years of age and beyond." said Marc Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League.

"AIDS is devastating black communities in America and around the globe. The simple fact is, in 2005, AIDS in America is a black disease'. The only way to stop this deadly epidemic is for organizations like the National Urban League Young Professionals to step up to the plate. The National Urban League Young Professionals are a model that should be emulated by black organizations all over America." stated Phill Wilson, Executive Director, Black AIDS Institute.

"I am so proud that our organization has taken this major stance against HIV/AIDS for the second year in implementing our National Day of Service. We are young professional leaders across the country who are making a major impact by educating our constituents and encouraging them to get tested and to take prevention seriously. We've already begun to positively impact the statistics, and we will continue to do so through education and prevention programs" said Michael Young, President, National Urban League Young Professionals.

The NULYP National Day of Service 2005 targets African Americans between the ages of 15 and 40 and hopes to deliver focused education to at least 10,000 young professionals on the enormity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2004, NULYP collectively reached a target audience of 5,000 individuals throughout the country through various mechanisms of community outreach. The initiative this year also hopes to promote volunteer service amongst young African-American professionals in support of HIV/AIDS awareness. In addition to numerous community activities, HIV/AIDS literature will be distributed to local media and community AIDS service organizations to increase public awareness.

NULYP is sponsoring the national day of service as part of "The NULYP National HIV/AIDS Awareness & Education Program." This is in support of the Health & Quality of Life prong of the National Urban League's 5-point empowerment agenda. The NULYP National HIV/AIDS Awareness & Education program expands the League's Health and Wellness initiative.

The National Urban League Young Professionals is a network of young professionals across the country dedicated to providing leadership development, economic empowerment and community volunteer opportunities for young professionals. NULYP has over 45 chapters in urban cities across the U.S. Through these chapters, thousands of members, ages 21 to 40, work to advance the Urban League agenda through corporate, social and community activism. The organization trains, develops, and educates young professionals to prepare them for taking on more leadership roles within the National Urban League, as well as other non-profit, corporate and government agencies. Members of NULYP are defining, developing, implementing, and leading the next generation in setting the civil rights agenda.

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National Urban League(www.nul.org) was established in 1910. The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

The Black AIDS Institute (www.blackaids.org) is the only HIV/AIDS think tank in the United States focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute's mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute conducts HIV policy research, interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, builds capacity, disseminates information and provides advocacy from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.

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