The Executive Leadership Council™ Celebrates 20th Anniversary
With Special Sections In The Sunday New York Times

The first of four special sections celebrating the roots, evolution and advocacy of The Executive Leadership Council™ from its founding in 1986 to its current status as the nations premier leadership organization for senior African American corporate executives, premieres in the Sunday business section of The New York Times, April 30, 2006.

“Education Cornerstone of the Dream – The Executive Leadership Council, Building Corporate Leaders” features interviews with Council members describing how the late Al Martins' attempt to save a troubled historically black college in Dallas, TX paved the way for the creation of the leadership organization that has spent two decades of advocacy on behalf of African American corporate executives and pro diversity companies.

The Technology Transfer Project, Phase 2 – a technology enrichment program aimed at historically black colleges and universities – is prominently featured. IBM has provided more than $2.1 million in support to The Executive Leadership Foundation to jump start the program.

The first of the special sections is supported by AIG – Lead Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Dinner gala and Leadership/Legacy 20 initiative; The New York Times, the primary Dinner media sponsor; and Miller Brewing Company, thanks to the advocacy of Council member Virgis Colbert, recently retired Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations for Miller. Forthcoming sections will highlight: African American and other senior women executives in corporate and global leadership (June 11); recruitment, retention and development of the inclusive mid-level pipeline (August 13); and The Council’s two decades of advocacy with senior corporate partners (October 22).

Executive Leadership Council member companies and/or supporters interested in sharing best corporate diversity practices in the sections should contact Joann Stevens, Director of Communications, The Executive Leadership Council at 202-298-8239 or Mark Szollar, Managing Director, The New York Times at 212-556-3656 or mszollar@nytimes.com. Participating companies will also have the opportunity of taking part in select Leadership/Legacy 20 CEO events sponsored by The Council and The New York Times, and New York Times recruitment events for senior human resources executives.