African American Organizations To Launch Annual Online Silent Auction

Cleveland, OH – What if you had an opportunity to spend two hours with Forest City, Co-chairman of the Board, Albert Ratner? Or “hit the links” on the prestigious Firestone Golf Course with Michael Taylor, President and Executive Director, National City Community Development Corporation? Or if you’d rather spend your time with one of the most powerful women in the country, then what about an entire day with Essence Magazine Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Susan Taylor?

Beginning Saturday, April 10, 2010, the Consortium of African American Organizations (CAAO) will launch its 7^th Annual Online Silent Executive Auction at www.biddingforgood.com/caaoauction2010 . Albert Ratner is serving as Honorary Chair of the event. The Auction is open to bidders all over the country, and ends on Wednesday, May 10^th. It is sponsored by CAAO, Forest City Enterprises, Medical Mutual, PNC, Skoda Minotti, Cleveland Clinic, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

Over 40 executives will donate one-on-one time to the winning bidders. “One-on-one time means gaining incredible insight into how and why these executives are so successful,” says Connie Atkins, Founder and Executive Director of CAAO. This is an extraordinary opportunity for participants to get advice from some of the most well-respected business professionals in the nation; and that can, ultimately, help them enhance their own businesses, management styles, and/or careers, she said.

A special Executive Auction kick-off event will also be held in Cleveland on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Downtown Cleveland that is sponsored by Forest City Enterprises, Inc.

Says Ratner, “This Auction has become one of the region’s most successful networking events, where CEO’s and hard to reach executives give time out of their busy schedules...” "I am honored to be the Honorary Chair of the 2010 CAAO Online Silent Executive Auction.”

Since the program’s inception in 2004, over 500 local, regional, and national executives, community leaders and celebrities have donated time in this unique “matchmaker” program, which has yielded phenomenal deals, career opportunities, sponsorships and relationships on an annual basis,” says Atkins. In fact, the online auction has been named the “most unique matchmaker in the country”. Over the years, the event has raised more than $100,000 and yielded several million dollar deals for the winning bidders. Proceeds go towards assisting CAAO and its many educational and youth programs.

For more information on how to become a participating executive, bidder, purchase tickets for, or sponsor the April 22^nd auction kick-off event, call 216-432-9481 or visit www.biddingforgood.com/caaoauction2009

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William Holdipp Gina M. Hobbs

CAAO 216-469-4848 (c)

216-432-9481 ghobbsconsulting@aol.com

caao_cleveland@yahoo.com