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2007 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rhonda Spears Bell
National Urban League
301-651-2126
rhondaspearsbell@yahoo.com

The National Urban League and BP America Host the Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour in Lake Charles, Louisiana

$3.2 million BP Grant Opens Doors for Small and Minority-Owned Businesses
to Rebuild the Gulf Coast

Lake Charles, Louisiana (April 25, 2007) - The Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour begins today with a stop at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The program, developed by the National Urban League and BP America, is designed to help small and minority-owned businesses participate in the rebuilding of areas severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina by connecting them with government agencies and major companies funding and managing much of the work. The tour, which will also make stops in Beaumont, Texas and New Orleans is part of an information sharing and capacity building initiative being funded with a $3.2 million grant from the BP Foundation.

"After the most devastating natural disaster that this country has ever seen, and as the rebuilding process gets underway, we want to make sure that small and minority-owned businesses get access to the contracts and the money that have been allocated for rebuilding the Gulf Coast," said Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans. "We are pleased to work with BP America to provide a real opportunity for small and minority-owned businesses to grow their business, build new homes and communities and make the Gulf Coast even better than before."

"Building better and stronger communities in the places we operate is important to BP," said BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone. "We believe this program can enhance and speed recovery of the region by providing small and minority-owned businesses the information and tools required to play a larger role in rebuilding Gulf Coast communities."

Business owners who attend the sessions will learn about sales and contracting opportunities created by the recovery effort, meet with people planning and managing major Gulf Coast rebuilding projects and receive advice on how to improve their businesses, grow their businesses and better meet the needs of their customers.

TheGulf Coast Economic Empowerment Program is FREE to small and minority-owned businesses, but registration is required. For more information, call 504-529-9890 or visit www.nul.org.

April 25
Noon to 3 PM
Parra Ball Room
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA

May 31
Beaumont, TX

July 10
New Orleans

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National Urban League (www.nul.org). Established in 1910, 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. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, with interests in more than 100 countries and over 96,000 employees across six continents. BP's business segments are Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Gas, Power and Renewables which includes its Alternative Energy business. Through these business segments, BP provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services, and petrochemicals products. For more information, visit http://www.bp.com/us.