More than 600 emerging leaders from around the country will gather for the 2005 Influencer Summit in Washington, D.C. July 28 - 30, 2005 at the new Washington, D.C. Convention Center as an expansion to the for NULYP "Training Ground" during the Annual Conference of the National Urban League. The summit, sponsored by Citigroup and hosted by the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP), Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment (MOBE) and Urban Influence Magazine (UIM) is designed to recognize and empower leaders of the future through a mix of plenary sessions, luncheons and interactive workshops with highly sought speakers, and recognition awards.

Kicking off the 2005 Influencer Summit will be the Welcome Keynote Luncheon, "Lets Get It Started" with United States Representative Harold Ford, Jr. (D-Tenn.) delivering the keynote address. Additional notable guests include, Kwame Jackson, 'The Apprentice Finalist' and chairman, Legacy Holdings, LLC; George Fraser, chairman/CEO, Frasernet; Jehmu Greene, president, Rock the Vote; Donna Brazile, founder and managing director, Brazile and Associates, LLC; Marvet Britto, president, The Britto Agency; Kelvin Boston, president, Boston Media, Inc.; Kofi Moyo, chairman, Real Men Cook Charities and Resource Associates International; and, Jeanette Jenkins, personal fitness trainer and Urban Influence Magazine fitness columnist.

The Influencer Summit will also present the first Urban Influence Magazine "Influencer Awards" -- honoring nationally nominated 'Influencers' in areas including civic engagement, leadership, community volunteerism and corporate and entrepreneurial excellence. Confirmed presenters include Dr. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley and Founder and Chairperson of Radio One Inc., Cathy Hughes.

Not forgetting the importance of taking time to wind down, Influencer Summit participants will have the opportunity to kick back and enjoy relaxed social 'experiences' such as the "Private Benefit Concert featuring India.Arie and Brian McKnight"; "A Soulful Social: Private Listening Party with MC Lyte"; "6 Minutes...You're On!" hosted by Doug E. Fresh; and, the "Influencer Summit Farewell: 'A Black Satin Affair' featuring Kid Capri".

Summit sessions include, "Use Your Influence: Where Do You Fit in American Politics?", "Entrepreneurial Diversity: Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Business Ventures", "Building Blocks: Navigating First-time Home Buying", "Entrepreneurship 101: The Business Plan", "Entrepreneurship 301: Growing Your Business", "Signed & Sealed: The Art of Closing the Deal", "Dollars & Sense: Rich Rewards for a Healthy Future", "Modern-Day Monopoly: The Real Estate Game", Emerging Technologies for Movers and Shakers", "Expanding Your Vertical Market: Strategic Partnerships & Alliances", "Branding Yourself & Your Business", "Generating Demand", "Showbiz, Sports & Society: The Showdown", and "Time for Self: Relax and Rejuvenate".

"It's history in the making..." states National Urban League President and CEO, Marc Morial. "The National Urban League has further enhanced our Annual Conference through offering professional and personal development for a powerful generation of emerging leaders..." The 2005 Annual Conference of the National Urban League also celebrates its 95-year history of community and civic engagement.

Citigroup is pleased to sponsor the Influencers Summit and to participate in the National Urban League's annual conference," said Eric Eve, Executive Director of Community Relations, Citigroup. "Recently, Citigroup and the National Urban League joined forces to launch a financial education program to help African Americans attain homeownership, broaden employment opportunities and learn the skills needed to make informed financial decisions. This Summit provides us the opportunity to celebrate the success of the program and to thank the Urban League's Young Professionals and Citigroup employees for their leadership, commitment, and dedication. Together, we are helping to make communities better because we're there."

"We are excited to partner with the NULYP and MOBE to offer a forum where young professionals from around the country can network, share ideas and feel empowered to affect change in their local communities," said Tamara Brown, publisher, Urban Influence Magazine.

Joining in this historical event is Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment (MOBE). For over 10 years MOBE brought together A-level executives in the business and entertainment industry during their annual Institute. This year, MOBE has joined up with the National Urban League Young Professionals, and Urban Influence Magazine aligning the best of each group to create the greatest gathering ever.

"The Influencers Summit is a perfect example of MOBE's legacy of connecting decision makers for the purpose of strategic alliances. Our focus is on the marriage between entertainment and business related marketing. Registrants are ready for some high energy delivery of information from the most exciting young professionals of our time and they'll have fun doing it," states Yvette Moyo, president, MOBE.

National Urban League Young Professionals' National President, Michael Young shares, "The Summit is an excellent opportunity to gather young professional leaders from across the country to network, establish business connections, socialize and advance both personally and professionally while collaborating to develop solutions to civil rights issues facing our local communities. An expansion of the former NULYP "Training Ground", the Summit brings together people of various backgrounds and professions, within a defined age range (25-41), who have a common interest in developing and advancing the empowerment movement to improve the lives of others."

Additional 2005 Influencer Summit sponsors include: GEICO, Nissan, L'Oreal USA, Heineken USA, Chase Home Finance, Wendy's International, Intel Corporation, Miller Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch, US Cellular, MGM Mirage, Allstate Insurance, PG&E, Winston & Strawn LLC, and UrbanWorks as official DVD partner.

Media Partners: BET Nightly News, The AFRO-American Newspapers, The Washington Informer and UrbanWorld Wireless.