and let's thank rhonda spears bell. >> (applause). >> rhonda spears bell and my long time partner in city of new orleans and u.s. conference of mayors and now at the national urban league, rhonda spears bell is now an elder and she always, always called her evangelist and now, so let's give it up fors bell and a warm thanks for courtney billington and johnson & johnson, i used thets this mo but most importantly, courtney, i really appreciated you making the connection between many of those earlier the national urban league. and which not only reaffirms our partnership, but reaffirms the role that opening doors to corporate america a long time ago. before it was called diversity,$ equity, and inclusion, and ill he get to that a little later. secondly, i want to welcome, raise your hands, affiliate leaders from across the country, give a wave, give a wave, give a wave and a hand. [applause] >> for those in the audience and those who are watching, this is the heart and the soul of our work. the men and women, highly talented, highly committed, on the ground, in 92 communities across the

let's give it up for rhonda spears bell.and a warm thanks ty billington and johnson & johnson. use their products this morning. ■zbut most importantly, i appreciated you making the connection between executives and the national urban league. it reaffirms the role that nul play in opening doors to corporate america a long time ago, before it was inclusion. i will get to that a little later. second, i want to welcome, raise your hdslé affiliate leaders from across the country. give a way, give a wave and a hand. those in the audience, those who are watching, this is the heart and soul of our work. men andom talented, highly committed, on the ground, 92 commune is across the nation, collectively year with direct services. give it up for our affiliate leaders, thank you all. also, they are supported by a number of volunteer groups. affiliate board members. each affiliate has its own board. any affiliate board member in the room, raise your hand. we want to acknowledge you, we want to thank you so much for being here. and doing the work as volunteers then there is the historic guild