Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Donates $5 Million to the National Urban League in Support of Workforce Development

BENTONVILLE, Ark., July 28, 2006 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced today a $5 million, multi-year grant to The National Urban League, an organization devoted to empowering African Americans economically and socially, to support its workforce development initiatives.  The announcement was made at the organization’s 2006 Annual Conference in Atlanta , Ga.   The donation will assist job seekers and program participants in meeting the requirements and performance standards of 21^st century employers. 

Ten of the League’s local affiliates have been selected to receive a $250,000 grant toward their workforce development programs over a five-year period.  Participating cities include Broward County , Fla. , Cleveland , Dallas , Houston , Hudson County , N.J. , Los Angeles , Philadelphia , Sacramento , San Diego and Washington , D.C.   The 10 winning affiliates were selected through a competitive process, starting with a field of 17 applicants.  The programs will assist individuals in communities nationwide in obtaining career skills and job training to better enhance their economic opportunities. 

In addition, the grant will provide support to the organization’s endowment fund, as well as the Black Executive Exchange Program that includes a lecture series at the majority of the nation’s historically black colleges.

“At Wal-Mart, we go to work every day to help make a difference by creating economic opportunity and benefits in the communities we serve.  This partnership is an extension of our efforts to build a better future for all Americans,” said Thomas Hyde, executive vice president and corporate secretary, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.  “We are proud to partner with The National Urban League in providing critical job training to ensure that positive change touches more lives in more cities nationwide.”

“The National Urban League is extremely appreciative of Wal-Mart’s donation and ongoing partnership to help empower our communities,” said Marc Morial, president and chief executive officer, The National Urban League.  “This grant will allow us to expand our workforce development initiatives and other programs, so that we can provide individuals in cities across the U.S. with the tools they need to secure economic self-reliance and power.”

As the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart employs 225,000 African Americans and the company’s 13-member board of directors has representation of two African Americans.  In 2006, Diversity Inc. named the company among its Noteworthy Companies for Diversity and Top 10 Companies for African Americans.  Additionally, Black Enterprise Magazine named it among its 2006 Top 40 U.S. Companies for Diversity list, as well as one of the 10 Best Companies for Marketing Diversity.

For more information on Wal-Mart’s commitment to diversity, please visit www.walmartfacts.com or www.walmartstores.com/diversity. 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States.  The company has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China,Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom.  The company’s securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Arca, formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange, under the symbol WMT.   More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com.  Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.

National Urban League (www.nul.org) Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.  Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City , spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates.  There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.