New York - May 30, 2006 - 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 league's 96th annual conference will take place from July 26 through July 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

This year's theme is "Building Economic Power for Black America" and is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees from across the nation and around region. UPS and The Coca-Cola Company will serve as 2006 conference co-chairs.

Scheduled events include plenary sessions featuring invited guests: President William Jefferson Clinton, President of the William J. Clinton Foundation, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Founder & President Rainbow Coalition/PUSH, Time Warner Inc. Chairman Richard D. Parsons and Star Jones Reynolds, co-host of ABC's "The View." The conference will also feature performances by soul sensations Angie Stone and Gladys Knight and comedians D.L. Hughley and Earthquake.

"Economic empowerment is a key element of our efforts to bridge the increasing gaps between African Americans and whites in the United States. As Hurricane Katrina made so painfully clear last year, poverty is still alive and well in the world's most affluent nation, especially within our community," said National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, who will kick off the conference with a wreath laying at the tombs of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, followed by a keynote address at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

"This year's conference will bring together some of the nation's most illustrious and influential leaders to address the issues of utmost importance to our community in the nation's best city for African Americans," he added.

To address the poverty issue, the conference will feature a town hall meeting addressing rebuilding of the Gulf Coast that will feature as panelists: Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network; New Orleans Urban League President Edith Jones; Xavier University President Dr. Norman E. Francis, Chairman of the Rebuilding Commission for the State of Louisiana. Also, former President Bill Clinton has been invited to speak on the "New War on Poverty."

The Greater Atlanta Urban League, under the leadership of CEO Clinton E. Dye and Chairman of the Board Brian Lacey, is the host affiliate. E. Neville Isdell, Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, and Michael Eskew, Chairman and CEO of UPS, will serve as Conference Co-Chairpersons.

The National Urban League conference is the premier networking, recruiting and issues conference for African American professionals nationwide. Highlights include: a career fair with over 100 Fortune 500 Companies and recruiters; top speakers in business, politics and academia; an exciting, interactive exhibit hall with five specialty zones; the "Influencer Summit" targeted at young professionals under 40; franchise and business development opportunities; career coaching; and interactive sessions on building wealth, entrepreneurship, health, education and entertainment.

Empowerment Exhibits Zones, which are free to the general public, feature informative sessions on franchise ownership, employment, health, technology and homeownership. A new franchise pavilion has been added to encourage business development. Last year, conference attendees had the opportunity to conduct face-to-face discussions and interviews with recruiters from more than 100 Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, as well as non-profit and government agencies.

The annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Awards Gala will pay tribute to Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, President of Bennett College for Women; U.S. Rep. John Lewis,(D-Ga.); and Ambassador Andrew Young, co-founding Principal and Chairman of GoodWorks International, LLC, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Conference co-chairs Eskew and Isdell will also serve as keynote speakers for the Business Pioneer Award luncheon, which will recognize: Herman J. Russell, chairman of H.J. Russell & Company; Janice Bryant Howroyd, chairman & CEO of the Act 1 Group of Companies; and Dale LeFebrve, managing partner of Pharos' Capital Group, LLC, and Chairman & President of Converge.

Star Jones Reynolds, co-host of ABC's "The View," will give the keynote speech at the National Council of Urban League Guilds Leadership Luncheon. And the third annual Woman of Power Luncheon will honor: Xernona Clayton, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation; UPS Foundation President Evern Cooper; two-time Olympic Track and Field Champion Gail Devers; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin ; Model and Entrepreneur Iman; Coca-Cola Foundation Chairwoman Ingrid Saunders Jones; CNN News Anchor Soledad O'Brien; and Georgia State Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears. Soul singers Angie Stone and Gladys Knight will headline the annual benefit concert, sponsored by the Walt Disney Company, at the Atlanta Civic Center. Also, comedian D.L. Hughley, star of ABC's "The Hughleys," and rising star Earthquake, who has toured with Def Comedy Jam, will be performing as part of the conference's Comedy Night.

Healthy Start Fitness Workout & Wellness Walk will give hundreds of attendees the opportunity to start their day with an invigorating walk, in which all participants will receive T-shirts and other prizes, courtesy of the conference sponsors. Daily fitness, yoga and pilates classes will be available free of charge each morning at the conference.

More information about the National Urban League's 2006 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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