National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications to Honor Robert L. Johnson During 19th Annual NAMIC Conference

National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications to Honor Robert L. Johnson During 19th Annual NAMIC Conference

Founder and President of BET Will Receive Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award On September 13, 2005

NEW YORK, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for Multi- ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) will bestow its highest honor, the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, to Robert L. Johnson during the 19th Annual NAMIC Conference. Mr. Johnson is being honored for his entrepreneurial vision and pioneering leadership in creating Black Entertainment Television. BET has been the most progressive and successful niche-market entertainment network and has provided a voice for African Americans; and opened the doors for more programming options for all people of color. The BET economy has created jobs for thousands and launched careers in the entertainment industry for a segment of the population that previously did not have access to those opportunities.

The Mickey Leland Award was created in 1992 to honor Congressman Mickey Leland and his commitment to creating opportunities for people of color. It is given annually, during the Annual NAMIC Conference, to an individual or organization in the communications industry that works to advance the causes and concerns of people of color.

Past Mickey Leland Award recipients include George Herrera, former president and CEO, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Russell Simmons, co- founder, Def Jam Records; Tavis Smiley, author and host, Tavis Smiley Show; Bill Richardson, former ambassador, United Nations; Kweisi Mfume, president, NAACP; Christina Saralegui, host of Galavision/Univision Cristina Show; and Alice Rains, mother, Congressman Leland.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: The Westin New York at Times Square 270 West 43rd Street New York, New York 10036 P: 212-201-2700

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Interview and photo opportunities with the award recipient and NAMIC representatives are available. Please contact Beatrice M. Robbio or beatrice.robbio@namic.com for scheduling information.

Founded 25 years ago as a non-profit trade association and comprised of nearly 2,000 industry professionals, the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications has developed programs to help educate, empower and advocate for multi-ethnic diversity in the telecommunications industry through 17 chapters nationwide. Such initiatives are achieved through the Annual NAMIC conference, a cornerstone of Cable Diversity Week, the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program and the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) at the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Business.

Source: National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications

CONTACT: Beatrice M. Robbio of NAMIC, +1-212-594-5985 or beatrice.robbio@namic.com

Web site: http://www.namic.com/

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