National Social Justice Organizations Discuss our Nation's Racial Climate at W.K. Kellogg Foundation's America Healing Convening

**Audio Available Via Telephone Conference**

NEW ORLEANS, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and other recent instances of racial injustices, scholars, public officials, civic leaders, community activists and other Americans are discussing the role of race in the United States. Throughout history, several national organizations have worked to achieve social change across the country and provide leadership in challenging times. At this panel, they will discuss today's racial climate and offer ideas for accelerating racial healing and creating an equitable democracy.

Who:  Moderator: Melissa Harris-Perry, Host of "Melissa Harris-Perry," MSNBC

Panelists:

• Judith Browne-Dianis, Co-Director, Advancement Project
• Ralph Everett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Inc.
• Benjamin Jealous, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Jacqueline Johnson Pata, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians
• Kathleen Ko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
• Marc Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Urban League, Inc.
• Janet Murguia, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Council of La Raza
• Rinku Sen, President and Executive Director, Applied Research Center
• Philip Tegeler, President and Executive Director, Poverty and Race Research Action Council

What: "Discussion on Current Racial Climate, Anchor Institutions" Plenary Session at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's America Healing Convening

When: Thursday, April 26, 2012
12:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.

Where: New Orleans Marriott
Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
555 Canal Street
New Orleans

Contact: Jamaal Young
917.449.2748
[email protected]

Transcripts will also be available for download from www.wkkf.org.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.

WKKF launched America Healing in 2010 to support programs that promote racial healing and address racial inequity, with the goal to ensure that all children in America have an equitable and promising future. In 2011, it hosted the first America Healing conference in Ashville, NC, and this year's conference is being held April 24 - 27, 2012, in New Orleans.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation