New York, NY — Some of the brightest stars in entertainment, politics, business and academia will participate in the National Urban League’s Centennial Conference from July 28 through 31 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington , D.C.

“We are honored that the nation’s leading policy makers, thought leaders and celebrities will be joining us during our centennial celebration,” said National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial. “Not only will we reflect on the Urban League’s great 100-year legacy, we will be looking forward and taking a bold step into a new century of civil rights where the Urban League will continue to lead and deliver on its mission of brining economic empowerment to people in the communities we serve.”

Among the luminaries who have been invited to participate is President Barack Obama, who’s been asked to offer his thoughts on the League’s role in America — past, present and future.

Confirmed celebrities who will participate in the conference as panelists, moderators, keynote speakers, award recipients and performers include John Legend, Charles S. Dutton, Louis Gossett Jr., Wendell Pierce, Angela Bassett, LeVar Burton, Alfre Woodard and Laila Ali. Rapper and actor Common will join Dr. Maya Angelou for a special Centennial performance at the State of the Urban League Keynote Address on Wednesday, July 28 at 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Actor Lamman Rucker will give a stellar performance in Black Angels Over Tuskegee, an empowering play, for Cultural Night on Thursday, July 29 at 8:30pm at the Warner Theatre. American Idol winner Fantasia and Ron Isley headline the Benefit Concert on Friday, July 30 at 8:30pm at the Warner Theatre .

Business leaders including BET President & CEO Debra Lee and Earvin “Magic” Johnson will celebrate the National Urban League’s Centennial alongside broadcast journalists George Curry, Sharon Epperson, Warren Ballentine, Soledad O’Brien, Jeff Johnson and Food Network Host Elle Krieger.

Among the leading government officials and Congress members scheduled to participate include U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Ambassador Susan E. Rice, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman John Conyers Jr., Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

Confirmed thought leaders and advocates include Benjamin Jealous, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Al Sharpton, Kelvin Boston, Geoffrey Canada, Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. Cornell West and Dr. Julieanne Malveaux.

Some of the most anticipated highlights of the Centennial Conference are keynote speakers and past National Urban League Presidents Vernon E. Jordan Jr., John E. Jacob and Hugh B. Price.

For more information about the National Urban League and its Centennial Conference visit www.nul.org/2010conference or www.iamempowered.com.

Visit www.iamempowered.com for live webcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for exciting news throughout this historic event.

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