FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Cathy Washington
(504) 620-2332
cwashington@urbanleagueneworleans.org
 
 
New Orleans, LA, May 27, 2010, 2010:  Each year, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans hosts its annual fundraising Gala. The cosmopolitan event which takes place at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel's Napoleon Ballroom, Saturday, June 26, 2010, 8 p.m., generates support for Urban League programs such as Early Head Start, Parent Information Center, Women's Business Resource Center, Business Resource Center, College Track, Unlocking Opportunities, Economic Inclusion and more.  
 
This year the event will celebrate 100 years of the National Urban League Movement, and also pay tribute to an outstanding public servant, Diana Bajoie, who as a former senator led the way to create school-based health clinics, form the Minority Health Care Commission and increase health care coverage for citizens with mental health disorders. Ms. Bajoie efforts also led to creation of the Louisiana State Museum on Civil Rights and the expansion and renaming of the New Orleans Convention Center in honor of the city's first African-American mayor, Ernest N. Morial.

 

"We are extremely delighted to acknowledge the many contributions Diana Bajoie has made to the community and the opportunities her work has provided so many. Her life demonstrates how one caring person can affect change that makes a differencesays Nolan V. Rollins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans. We are also excited to announce this year's Gala Chairpersons, Mr. Justin T. Augustine, III, Chief Executive Officer RTA/Vice President Veolia Transportation, and Sharlene Smith, Vice President of Operations, Great Southern Region McDonald's USA, LLC.
 
Headlining entertainment for the evening is DeJaVu Band.  Special musical guest, Leah Chase, will also take the stage beginning at 7 p.m.  The event will feature food, networking, entertainment and the event's signature Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire Martini Bars.  Individual Gala tickets are obtainable at a cost of $150 for Friend Level and $200 for Patron Level.  Tables may be purchased at a variety of levels including $1,500, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.  As a convenience, all tickets and table sponsorships may be purchased online by visiting the Urban League's website at www.urbanleagueneworleans.org/gala. For more information on the Gala contact Cherie Williams at 504.620.2332.