Chicago, IL (April 4, 2007) - Urban Influence Magazine, an official publication of the National Urban League, targets progressive African American professionals with a message of building wealth through social change. As the first publication of the Urban League distributed on newsstands nationwide, this occasion marks an historical achievement for the 97-year-old civic organization. The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.

"Urban Influence Magazine has been well received by the Urban League family," said Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League. "The national newsstand distribution of the magazine will increase its impact and awareness, while empowering our communities with positive stories and information. The magazine is an important vehicle in providing information on the League's five step agenda of economics, education, health and quality of life, civil rights and civic engagement for African Americans. This launch is a milestone in the National Urban League's efforts to reach more individuals and communities in need of our services."

Launched in 2004, as a partnership between the National Urban League and T. Brown Publishing, Urban Influence Magazine speaks to the critical link between individual and community wealth and social responsibility, as well as provides information concerning the latest trends in business, politics, and lifestyle for "urban influencers." The bi-monthly magazine empowers, educates and entertains readers like no other publication targeting African American professionals.

"Our objective is to be the voice of this generation of power movers; those influencers who are just as concerned about our collective progress as a whole, as we are about individual wealth and success. There's an entire movement of social entrepreneurs and conscious corporate executives that UIM represents," says Tamara Brown, Publisher.

To celebrate its accomplishment Urban Influence Magazine along with partners YUM! Brands, Intel, Allianz and Southwest Airlines will host a Newsstand Launch Reception from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 at Macy's on State Street in downtown Chicago. Special guests include: National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., and NY Times Best-Selling Author and Television/Radio Talk Show Host Tavis Smiley.

In a short period of time UIM has offered timely and germane editorial, tagging some of Urban America's most highly sought after and recognized influencers to grace their cover. Examples include: Russell Simmons on his role in the Hip Hop Call-to-Action campaign in Vote or Die issue (October/November 2004); Patti LaBelle on Managing Life & Diabetes in Special Health Imperative (December/January 2005); Men of Influence featuring Dr. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, and Mos Def (February/March 2005); Media Leadership and Influence with MTV President and media guru Christina Norman (April/May 2005); Emerging Female Leaders with mavens Jacque Reid, Marvet Britto, Tonya Lewis Lee (June/July 2005); and, Civic Engagement with Michelle Obama on Building Family, Career & Community (August/September 2005).

"We've been so fortunate to have the support of the Urban League, advertisers and readers across the country. Queen Latifah, Tavis Smiley and recently Morgan Freeman all readily agreed to their cover stories which we believe is a testament to the need for positive and substantive messaging in the magazine marketplace," offers Brown.

UIM will unveil the inaugural newsstand Men of Influence issue during the newsstand launch reception. Urban Influence Magazine was created to extend the message of the National Urban League throughout its membership and beyond. Previously, the magazine used a controlled distribution model distributing through the National Urban League Young Professionals chapters, National Urban League affiliate offices nationwide, Corporate Partners, Key Influencers, Paid Subscribers, Conferences, National Urban League Special Events, and Tradeshows. Now, Urban Influence Magazine will reach millions of people nationwide tremendously increasing its already solid readership base of nearly 100,000 people.

Since its inception, Urban Influence Magazine has been committed to shaping a publication that is as multifaceted as its readers, and to providing tools to empower influencers to position themselves to go to the next level. And, these efforts do not stop within the pages of the magazine; UIM has taken a holistic approach in providing its audience with what they need to make that next move. In 2005 and 2006 the magazine produced the Influencer Summit within the NUL annual convention; designed to recognize and empower future leaders through a mix of plenary sessions, luncheons and interactive workshops, the three-day event brought the most influential subject experts and emerging influencers together to discuss, develop and implement strategies with the goal of personal and professional enhancement.

# # #