New York, NY, July 19, 2004—The National Urban League announced today that Ann Fudge, Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands, will address its annual conference in Detroit, Michigan. Fudge, named one of the most influential women in corporate America in 2003 by Fortune 500, will deliver remarks at the League's Business Luncheon on Thursday, July 22 at 12:30 p.m. at the COBO Center. The theme of the conference is Empowerment: Building on the Civil Rights Movement and is expected to draw 15,000 attendees from across the nation and the region. Registration is now open and available via website at www.nul.org and by telephone (800-263-9926).
The National Urban League is the nation's largest civil rights and community based organization. With over 100 affiliates in 35 states, the National Urban League serves 2 million people in the African American and urban communities nationwide through direct services, advocacy and research.
"When we speak about empowerment and scaling the highest heights of corporate America no person epitomizes success more than Ann Fudge, one of our nation's most prominent corporate leaders," said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League. "We are pleased to have her as the keynote speaker at our business luncheon."
The National Urban League 2004 Annual Conference takes place Wednesday, July 21 through Sunday, July 25 at the COBO Center. The Detroit Urban League, under the leadership of President and CEO N. Charles Anderson, is the host affiliate. G. Richard Wagoner, President and CEO General Motors will serve as the 2004 Conference Chairperson. Roderick D. Gillum, Vice President/Corporate Diversity, General Motors Corporation is the Host Committee Chairman. The National Urban League Business Luncheon is sponsored by Bank of America, Freddie Mac, MetLife and Pitney Bowes.
Conference highlights include the National Urban League President's Keynote address, Wednesday, July 21 from 6:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m.; and an address by President George Bush, Friday, July 23 at 9:00 a.m. and Democratic Presidential nominee Senator John Kerry on Thursday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. Other speakers include U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige; Jesse Jackson, Sr., Founder & President, Rainbow/PUSH Operation; the Honorable Kwame M. Kilpatrick, Mayor of Detroit; Rosa Parks, mother of the modern-day civil rights movement; Dr. Charles J. Ogletree, Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Professor Derrick Bell, NYU School of Law; the Honorable Dennis W. Archer, President, American Bar Association; Cathy L. Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc.; Linda Johnson-Rice, President & CEO, Johnson Publishing Company; Donna Brazile, Managing Director, Brazile & Associates; the Reverend Al Sharpton, founder, National Action Network; Ted Shaw, Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; and Dr. Charles Adams, Pastor, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Detroit.
Other conference highlights include five new Empowerment Exhibit Zones on Health, Employment, Technology, Homeownership, and Fun (Education & Learning) that are free and open to the public; the Women of Power Awards luncheon; the Unity '04 Rock the Vote Hip Hop Voter Empowerment Rally & Voter Registration Drive to register youth and young adults; a National Education Summit on the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling; the annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference gala tribute to legends; the NULYP (National Urban League Young Professionals) Training Ground: A Next Generation Leadership Development Seminar; A NULITES (National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed) Youth Summit; a Cultural Night featuring a Salute to Motown and performances by recording artists Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Ashford and Simpson and The Miracles. The nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Sky Show will also broadcast live from the conference.
New additions to the conference include a 3-kilometer Wellness Walk targeting community health empowerment; an Urban League Book Drive for Detroit Youth; a Behind the Business Tour of Detroit's African-American businesses; and a historic bus tour of Detroit, which will include the original Motown Studio and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African History.
National Urban League conference activities open to registered guests include the President's keynote address; and the annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Gala Special Tribute to Legends. The free Career Fair, located in the Employment Zone, features 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 2004 Annual Conference registration, exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities is available on the League's website at www.nul.org, or by calling or (800-263-9926).
About Ann Fudge
Ann Fudge is the Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands, a collaborative network of pre-eminent companies that cover the full range of marketing communications. She also serves as Chairman and CEO of its largest division Y&R. Prior to Young & Rubicam Brands, she served as President, Beverages, Desserts and Post Division-a $5 billion unit of Kraft Foods. She serves on the Board of Directors of General Electric and also serves on the Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America, the Board of Directors of Catalyst and is a trustee of the Brookings Institution. She has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in American business.
