THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL® PRESIDENT & CEO CARL BROOKS CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA ON HISTORIC VICTORY

Carl Brooks

Alexandria, VA (November 6, 2008) - On behalf of the Boards of Directors of The Executive Leadership Council® and The Executive Leadership Foundation®, and the 460 African American senior corporate executives which represent the membership of The Executive Leadership Council®, we want to congratulate and honor the newly elected 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. We honor this historic accomplishment as the answered prayer of the deferred dreams of so many who came before him. This victory is validation that the content of one's character does mean more than the color of one's skin.

For over 22 years, The Executive Leadership Council has worked to advance the opportunities for African Americans within the corporate leadership pipeline to become CEOs and reach the C-Suite. Last night, an overwhelming majority of Americans made Barack Obama the first African American CEO of the United States of America. He now faces the hard work of turning promise into performance. His vision and strategic thinking have helped him to achieve this historic milestone and will be critical as he manages the physical, financial, and human resources of this country to address the difficult challenges ahead.

President-Elect Obama's ascendency to leadership represents a teachable moment for the globe that diverse leadership at the very top of an organization can benefit many more constituencies and create greater opportunities for everyone. We also hope that Sen. Obama's elevation to the Presidency will serve to illuminate the wealth of talent in this country. To paraphrase Frederick Douglas, "our minds are not the complexion of our skin on this day!" They are open to the bright possibilities - aware of the potential and power President-Elect Obama will mean to so many who will use his example to spur change in corporate America and around the globe.

Carl Brooks
President & CEO
The Executive Leadership Council

Founded in 1986, The Executive Leadership Council is the nation's premier leadership organization of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. Working from the classroom to the corporate boardroom, its mission is to develop the pipeline of African-American senior corporate leaders. For more information about The Executive Leadership Council visit www.elcinfo.com