Diann Burns Hosts Second Season of Chicago Urban League's nextTV

Broadcasting Trailblazer Joins Urban League's Emmy Award-winning business and lifestyle program

Second season premiers April 11 on FOX Chicago and My50 Chicago

CHICAGO, March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- nextTV: Change You Can See, the Chicago Urban League's Emmy award-winning business and lifestyle television series, launches its second season on April 11, 2010 with new host Diann Burns. The new season of the fast-paced, reality-style program that showcases the economic empowerment work of the Chicago Urban League will air Sundays at 8:00 a.m. on FOX Chicago (WFLD) with encore broadcasts at 12:30 p.m. on My50 Chicago (WPWR). Burns will host all thirteen episodes of the second season of nextTV.

"We are excited that Diann Burns is returning to Chicago television and that she's doing it with our award winning series," said Herman Brewer, acting president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. "Last year nextTV raised the bar for well-produced programming that promotes positive cultural images while demonstrating how the Urban League creates pathways to economic success for individuals and businesses. With Diann as our new host, and our dynamic team led by executive producer Tracey Scruggs Yearwood, nextTV will raise the bar even higher and continue inspiring people to pursue their economic goals."  

Diann Burns is one of the nation's most recognizable television news journalists.  For nearly 25 years she informed Chicago viewers about the people, places, and issues that made headlines. Burns has received one national Emmy award and ten regional Emmy awards for various reports and news coverage.  From 2003 to early 2008 she anchored the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. news at CBS 2 (WBBM). Prior to that, Burns was co-anchor of the top rated 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts at ABC 7 (WLS).

"I'm thrilled to host the second season of nextTV," said Burns. "This partnership with the Chicago Urban League is a great opportunity to do what I love, in a different format, and give back to the community. I've seen firsthand the positive impact the Chicago Urban League has on the community, and nextTV takes their mission to a whole new level -- a level that's very timely and exciting."

The second season of nextTV will see the return of the popular nextONE segment that follows entrepreneurs in the Urban League's intensive business accelerator program. Also returning is the career makeover feature, money matters segments, and new features on going green and "doing good in the hood," that will highlight people who are driving positive change in the community.

Season two previews and archived episodes of the first season of nextTV, including an interactive blog, can be viewed at www.changeyoucansee.com.  Season two sponsors of nextTV include BP, Allstate, ComEd, and The Black McDonald's Operators Association. Production support for nextTV is provided by Media Process Group.

In addition to hosting the second season of nextTV, Diann Burns will moderate a roundtable discussion at the Chicago Urban League's April 8 spring summit. The summit, which focuses on the link between education and economic empowerment, features CEO panel discussion, moderated by Burns, that will include: Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president, Bennett College for Women; Ron Huberman, CEO, Chicago Public Schools; and Valarie King-Bailey, CEO, OnShore Technology Group. For more information about the spring summit, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.

About the Chicago Urban League

Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League is a civil rights organization that empowers and inspires individuals to reach and exceed their economic potential.  The Chicago Urban League supports and advocates for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans through our agenda focused exclusively on economic empowerment as the key driver for social change. For more information visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org and www.DriveChangeNow.org.

SOURCE Chicago Urban League