The annual EOD Awards Dinner honors individuals and corporations who perpetuate the principle of equal opportunity and who exhibit leadership qualities that result in notable contributions to the cause of equal rights.

The dinner, scheduled for Thursday Nov. 2 at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan, will also recognize Michael J. Critelli, chairman of the NUL Board of Trustees since July 2002, and Hugh Price, past NUL president and CEO from 1994 to 2004, with the Leadership Award. Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee and Nissan will be presented the Special Recognition Award and Corporate Leadership Award, respectively.

"Inspired by Abraham Lincoln's immortal words that 'All men are created equal', the Equal Opportunity Day Awards have honored for the past 50 years a host of distinguished individuals in all walks of life who have made substantial contributions to the fight for equal opportunity," said National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial. "This year's honorees are no exception: In their own unique way, they have shown extraordinary commitment to and leadership in leveling the playing field for all."

For years, the U.S. Labor Department has proved a dependable and valuable partner in the Urban League's job training efforts. Under Secretary Elaine Chao, that relationship has only strengthened. In 2006, the department contributed two grants to the NUL -- $20 million over two years for the Urban Youth Empowerment Program and $6.7 million over one year for seniors' job training.

Michael Critelli, through the company he leads and his family's foundation, has made major contributions not only of time but money to the Urban League. Hugh Price, currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, made invaluable contributions to the Urban League movement throughout his nearly decade tenure as president and CEO of the Urban League.

Nissan North America, Inc. served as title sponsor for the 2006 Annual Conference Career Fair and as EOD dinner chair last year, raised $1.5 million. The Urban League is also honoring Nissan for its strong support of the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) as well as the company's own "Enriching People's Lives" program that seeks to improve the quality of life in communities in which it operates.

Film director, actor, producer and writer Spike Lee stands as one of the most influential filmmakers in Hollywood. With numerous films to his credit including Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, Lee, unlike many of his peers, has never been afraid to address controversial social and political issues in his work, pursuing an artistic vision that is both courageous and provocative. His most recent work, the HBO documentary When the Levees Broke: a Requiem in Four Acts, casts a critical eye upon the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina through the words and images of its victims.

The dinner will also feature an induction of the 2006 Class of the Million Dollar and Five Million Dollar Hall of Fame, which recognizes companies, foundations, individuals and organizations that have demonstrated their commitment by contributing $1 million or more and $5 million or more over time to advance the Urban League's work.

The Million Dollar Hall of Fame inductees will be the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, Andrew C. Taylor (Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car) and Wachovia. The Five Million Dollar Hall of Fame inductees will be the U.S. Department of Labor, WAL-MART Stores and BP.

The dinner will be co-chaired by John D. Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Company, and Stephen S. Rasmussen, president and chief operating office of Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance Operations. Actor Avery Brooks and Lori Stokes, anchor of WABC-TV's Eyewitness News, will serve as masters of ceremony.

In 1956, the National Urban League held its first Equal Opportunity Day dinner, giving awards to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary James P. Mitchell and Jacob S. Potofsky, president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Since then, Muhammad Ali, Hillary Rodham and William Jefferson Clinton, Iman, Quincy Jones and Edgar Bronfman, among others, have been honorees.

The EOD Dinner will be held this year at the New York Marriott Marquis, which is located 1535 Broadway, at W. 46th St. in Times Square. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 212-675-9474, ext. 18.