2009 National Urban League Conference
More Than 4,000 People Converge in Chicago; Influential Thought Leaders, Experts, and Celebrities Expected to Attend Power-Packed Conference
WHAT: The 2009 National Urban League Conference.
WHERE: McCormick Place Convention Center, West Building, Chicago
WHEN: July 29 – Aug. 1
The 2009 National Urban League Conference in Chicago will give attendees everything they need to find personal and professional success in these challenging economic times.
Themed “The Path to Power,” influential business, community and political thought leaders from around the country will participate to offer valued advice and insight. Everyone who attends the conference will leave with the resources and inspiration they need to succeed on their own path to power.
Power-packed plenary sessions include: The Path to Power, The State of Black America and 21st Century Now Leadership for a “NOW” Generation; workshops cover important topics like tips on preventing foreclosure; how to invest in a challenging economy; how to take advantage of the new “green” economy; the importance of being counted in the 2010 Census and building America’s workforce and how to save our children.
The NUL Experience Expo & Career Fair is the largest ever and FREE to the public. Hundreds of recruiters will participate in the career fair to speak with perspective employers for available jobs. There will be opportunities for resume critiques, one-on-one career coaching sessions and tips on job searches. The Women’s Black Expo will be on the exhibit hall floor and will provide entertainment for the main stage including Dru Hill. Attendees can also attend various zones to get financial and health information; get health screenings, experience the latest in technology devices and tips on being “green.”
Noted participants include: CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and Roland Martin, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous, Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, MSNBC political correspondent Michelle Bernard, EPA Administrator Lisa Perez, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, HGTV’s Kim Myles, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and many others.
National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, who is available for interviews throughout the conference, will kick off this important event with an inspirational keynote address on the evening of July 29.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH PLENARY SESSIONS
See Schedule Below for Times
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration Open
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, W-183 A,B,C –Level 1
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pre-Conference
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Joint Urban League Leadership Luncheon for presidents and chairpersons of Urban Leagues, and Guilds and Young Professionals chapte r Presidents
Sponsored by: MetLife
Presiding: Warren E. Logan, Jr., 2nd Vice President, Association of Executives
Speaker: William C. Bell, President/CEO, Casey Family Programs
Remarks: Paris M. Lewis, Senior Financial Executive, MetLife
John D. Hofmeister, Chairman, National Urban League
Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Location: Hilton Chicago, Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. State of the Urban League Address (Keynote Session)
Sponsored By: Altria and Sprint
Speaker: Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Presiding: John D. Hofmeister, Chairman, National Urban League
Remarks: Stephanie E. DeKemper, Vice President of Diversity and Special Projects,
Centene Corporation
Don Thompson, President, McDonald’s USA
Location: Apostolic Church of God
Shuttle buses will be provided from hotels
8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. President’s Reception (Invitation Only)
Sponsored By: Nissan and Nationwide; Wine/Spirits Sponsor-Moet Hennessy USA
Remarks: Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Senior Manager, Philanthropy & Diversity
Communications, Nissan North America, Inc.:
Gale King, Executive Vice President, Nationwide Insurance
Location: Field Museum, Stanley Hall- Upper Level – present invitation for entry
Shuttle buses will be provided from convention center
8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Welcome Reception-Hosted by Chicago Urban League
Sponsored By: Target
Location: The Field Museum – Level 1
Shuttle buses will be provided from convention center
THURSDAY, JULY 30
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Healthy Start
Sponsored By: The TJX Companies, Inc.
Remarks: TJX Representative
Location: Hilton Chicago, Waldorf Room, 3rd Floor
Fitness Trainers: Sean & Maria Armstead, Phenomenal Fitness
7:15 a.m.-8:15 a.m. National Council of Urban League Guilds Family Breakfast
Sponsored By: North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company
Presiding: Michelle Crockett, President, National Council of Urban League Guilds
Remarks: James Speed, President, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, W-184 A,B,C,D
8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Registration Open
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, W-183 A,B,C-Level 1
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Plenary Session I
The Path to Power
Sponsored By: Sprint
Moderator: Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Remarks
The Honorable Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle and President, US Conference of Mayors
Janet Murguia, President & CEO, National Council of LaRaza
Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director, National Council for Asian Pacific American
Community Development (NCAPACD)
Benjamin T. Jealous, Pres & CEO, NAACP.
John Payton, Pres & Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
Ralph Reid, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility& President, Sprint
Foundation
Speakers
The Reverend Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network
Christopher Gardner, CEO, Christopher Gardner International Holdings
Cheryle R. Jackson, President, Chicago Urban League
Faye Wattleton, President, Center for the Advancement of Women
Robert L. Johnson, Founder and Chairman, The RLJ Companies
Harriette Cole, Acting Editor in Chief and Creative Director, Ebony Magazine
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall/Career Fair Opening
Career Fair Sponsored By: ServiceMaster, Adecco; Allstate; W.W. Grainger; and Travelers Insurance
Remarks: Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Stephanie E. DeKemper, Vice President of Diversity & Special Projects, Centene Corporation
Bill Whitman, Vice President, U.S. Communications, McDonalds USA
Mike Isakson President & COO, ServiceMaster Clean
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, Hall F1-Level 3
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon Concurrent Workshops
n – 2:0 12 noon -2:00 p.m. Business Luncheon
Sponsored By: Bank of America; McDonald’s Corporation; MetLife; PepsiCo;
Shell Oil Company
Speaker: Kenneth D. Lewis, CEO & President, Bank of America
Remarks: The Hon. Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education
Nancy Lane, Founder, National Urban League Black Executive Exchange
Program (BEEP) (on its 40th Anniversary)
Harry Coaxum, Vice President & General Manager, Atlantic Region,
McDonald’s USA
Vhonda Ridley, Vice President, Human Resources, MetLife
Maurice Cox, Vice President of Diversity, PepsiCo, Inc.
Francene Young, Vice President, US Diversity and Talent, Shell Oil Co.
Tim Maloney, Illinois President, Bank of America
Martha E. McGannon
Business Pioneer Award Recipient: John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman & CEO
