New York, NY, June 1, 2004— 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 by telephone (800-263-9926).  The conference will convene July 21 through July 25 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

This year\'s theme is Empowerment: Building on the Civil Rights Movement and is expected to draw 15,000 attendees from across the nation and the region. Scheduled events include plenary sessions featuring invited guests President George Bush and Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator John Kerry. Other plenary sessions include confirmed speakers Rod Paige, Education Secretary; Earl G. Graves, Sr. Chairman and CEO, Earl Graves Limited, Publisher Black Enterprise Magazine; Jesse L Jackson, Sr., Founder & President, Rainbow Coalition; Ann Fudge, CEO Young & Rubicam.  G. Richard Wagoner, Chairman, President & CEO General Motors will serve as the 2004 Conference Chairperson.

Highlights of this year\\\'s conference include new Empowerment Exhibits Zones on Health, Employment, Technology, Homeownership and Education; Women in Power Awards Luncheon; a Hip Hop Empowerment Rally and Voter Drive; a National Education Summit and Cultural Night featuring a Salute to Motown and performances by recording artists Kenneth "BabyFace" Edmonds, Ashford and Simpson and The Miracles. The famous Tom Joyner Sky Show will also broadcast live from the annual conference.

National Urban League annual conference activities open to registered guest include the National Urban League president\\\'s keynote address and the annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Gala special tribute to legends. The Honorable John Conyers, Jr., Michigan\\\'s 14th District Congressman and the Honorable Damon J. Keith, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Detroit are the awardees.

"The annual conference in Detroit will be the largest gathering of the Urban League Movement featuring innovative and interactive plenary sessions and events that present some of our nation\\\'s most illustrious and influential leaders" said Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO.  "Detroit has a rich history in culture, business and entertainment and will serve as a perfect venue to focus on the League\\\'s 5-point empowerment strategy to serve even more people and continue the dialogue regarding the issues that confront our communities."

Other confirmed speakers and awardees include Linda Johnson-Rice, President and CEO, Johnson Publishing Company; Rosa Parks, the Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement; the Honorable Dennis W. Archer, President, American Bar Association; Cathy L. Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc.; the Reverend Al Sharpton and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and NBA legend and businessman Dave Bing.

Also new at this year\\\'s conference will be a Wellness Walk, a Unity \\\'04 partnership with Rock the Vote and the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, a 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.

The 2004 conference will also feature activities targeted to young professionals between the ages 21 and 40, as part of a special agenda created by the National Urban League Young Professionals group (NULYP).

The NULYP is an auxiliary organization dedicated to bringing the next generation of leaders into the Urban League movement. NULYP serves as an umbrella over dozens of Urban League Young Professional chapters in cities across the country. Through these chapters, thousands of members work to advance the Urban League agenda through corporate, social and community activism.

This year\\\'s young professional\\\'s track includes asserting the young professional voice in the political process, personal and professional development, personal wealth and a hip hop empowerment rally and voter drive.

In addition, strategic vision forums will address empowering the black male, closing the achievement gap, best diversity practices, health disparities in the African-American community, America\\\'s workforce crisis and reinvestment for urban communities.

Admission to the Empowerment Exhibits Zones is free. Last year\\\'s career fair featured the participation of more than 100 Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, as well as non-profit and government agencies with both local and national job opportunities.

Online registration and paper forms to download for mailing or faxing are available at www.nul.org.  The site also features hotel information and discounted travel options. Potential exhibitors and sponsors can view exhibits zones/sponsorship packages on the site. Requests for printed materials can also be sent by email to urbanleagueconference@nul.org or made by calling 1-800 236-9926.