ldunbar@nul.org

Max Smith, (212)558-5371

msmith@nul.org

New York, NY, November 13, 2001–National Urban League president Hugh B. Price announced today that the organization is inducting four major corporations–Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kraft Foods, Microsoft Corporation and Texaco, Inc.–into its Million Dollar Hall of Fame this evening during the League’s 45^th Annual Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Awards Dinner at New York City’s Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers.

Robert Benmosche, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, MetLife, Inc. is the Dinner Chairman, S. Epatha Merkeson of TV’s Law & Order is the emcee, and singer Melba Moore will perform.

Office Depot is a presenting sponsor of this event, which includes the President’s reception and Community Heroes Awards. The evening begins at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 7:15 PM. Press registration is complimentary, and ticket information is available by calling 212-838-2660, ext 20.

Traditionally, funds donated by Million Dollar Hall of Fame honorees go towards furthering the League’s initiatives in the areas of education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion, as well as supporting general League operations. Following is a look at the activities that earned this year’s Million Dollar Hall of Fame companies their status:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car In August, Enterprise Rent-A-Car awarded the League the second-largest cash award–$2 million–it has received during the tenure of National Urban League president Hugh B. Price (who assumed office in 1994). Under the terms of the partnership, Enterprise will sponsor ongoing League programs, and underwrite a four-year workforce diversity research project.

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• Kraft Foods Since 1978, Kraft Foods Inc. has been a financial supporter of the League’s NULITES program, an education initiative focusing on preparing young people to be self-sufficient, competent and contributing members of society and their communities. More information about NULITES is available at //cgi.nul.org/directory/neweducation.html.

• Microsoft Corporation In October, Microsoft announced a Technology Leadership Grant of more than $2.7 million in software to support operations at the League’s Digital Campuses–technology centers housed at more than 90 Urban League affiliates. Each center provides online courseware, Internet access, and technology training for children and adults. More information is available at www.nul.org/microsoft.html.

• Texaco, Inc. Texaco is helping the National Urban League train its affiliate presidents, senior program officers and management staff through the National Urban League/Texaco Management Institute (NUL-TMI), modeled after Texaco’s renowned, intensive three-day nonprofit leadership training program. In addition, through a $350,000 grant, Texaco is helping to expand the League’s Whitney M. Young, Jr. Center for Urban Leadership, which provides training, mentoring, consulting, research and technical assistance to Urban League affiliate leaders and employees.

The National Urban League’s Annual EOD Awards Dinner honors individuals and corporations who perpetuate the principle of equal opportunity and exhibit leadership qualities that result in notable contributions to the cause of equal rights. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the League’s education, technology, economic self-sufficiency and racial inclusion initiatives.