Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Civil Rights Leader, Politician, and Diplomat Ambassador Andrew Young to Deliver Keynote Address in Celebration of Black History Month

DETROIT, Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, the leading organization promoting African American business ownership throughout the state of Michigan, announced today that in recognition of Black History Month, Ambassador Andrew Young will deliver a keynote address entitled, "Global Works: Bi-partisan Solutions to Help Underserved Communities Achieve Gentrification."

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 at the St. Regis Hotel in Detroit, beginning at 12 p.m.

Ambassador Young has been a civil rights leader, politician and international diplomat for over half a century. He was a colleague and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights era; he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and was appointed as Ambassador to the United Nations during the presidency of Jimmy Carter.

"It is such an honor to have an iconic figure such as Ambassador Andrew Young address our audience in celebration of Black History Month," said Ken Harris, President and CEO of the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce. "The wealth of experience and knowledge Ambassador Young possesses is sure to stimulate dynamic ideas and solutions to address the challenges that face many urban communities in today's economy."

As the two-term mayor of Atlanta, Ambassador Young spearheaded over $70 billion of new private investment to the city, while expanding programs that included women-owned and minority-owned businesses in all city contracts during his 8-year tenure.

"I'm looking forward to speaking to the citizens of Detroit on Feb. 15 and having a dialogue on how to help the city," said Ambassador Young. "Developing and implementing ideas and solutions to help underserved Detroit communities can drive significant economic growth for the city and I am pleased to be a part of the dialogue."

Ambassador Young will be speaking on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 at the St. Regis Hotel, located at 3071 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit. The event begins at 12 p.m.. For more information or to register, visit www.MichiganBlackChamber.com, or call (313) 309-3316.

About Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce
The Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) is the governing body for all black chamber of commerce organizations within the state of Michigan. Associated with the U.S. Black Chamber, Inc., MBCC is the largest concentration of economic wealth representing black businesses with more than 3.6 billion in combined total revenue, and more than 7,500 employees.

The MBCC has six local affiliate chambers in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Southfield, Pontiac, Flint, and Detroit. The MBCC has access to more than 79,000 black owned businesses in Michigan, and 32,000 in the City of Detroit, ranking it 4th in the country for the number of black-owned businesses.

SOURCE Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce