Fourth Annual Gala Event to Honor Ambassador Andrew Young in Commemoration of the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Washington, DC - The African American Experience Fund (AAEF) proudly presents its fourth annual fundraising gala to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while paying special tribute to Ambassador Andrew Young for his significant contributions as a great American statesman, businessman, humanitarian and civil rights activist. The event takes place Thursday, April 10, 2008 at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, New York. Ernest G. Green--former Assistant Secretary of Labor during the Jimmy Carter administration and the first African American graduate of Little Rock Central High School--and Ingrid Saunders Jones--senior vice president of The Coca-Cola Company--will serve as honorary co-chairs of this evening of pride and inspiration.

This year's theme Celebrating Commitment to The Dream features other distinguished guests, including award winning journalist Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer." Gwen will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

"As the only congressionally chartered National Park Foundation program that funds our nation's African American parks and historic sites, AAEF is proud to dedicate its fourth annual fundraising gala to honor Ambassador Andrew Young for his tireless and lifelong commitments to all of humanity, " says Robert L. Harris, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the African American Experience Fund. "Like many of the African American legends memorialized in AAEF parks and national sites, the legacy of Ambassador Young mirrors the courage and fortitude that African Americans have demonstrated as they worked to build this great nation. We are honored to recognize this truly outstanding American hero!"

Gala proceeds will benefit education, volunteer and community engagement programs in the twenty national parks and historic sites supported by the AAEF. As an extension of the National Parks Foundation, AAEF has contributed more than $800,000 to support programs such as The Junior Rangers Program, virtual classroom field trips and community lectures. These programs all serve to expose the American public to the vast contributions of African Americans as they are commemorated and brought to life in our National Park System. To learn more about AAEF, please visit www.aaexperience.org. Information on the National Parks Foundation is available at www.nationalparks.org

About the African American Experience Fund
Established in 2001, the Washington, DC based African American Experience Fund (AAEF) is the lead fund of the National Park Foundation (NPF) which preserves and celebrates National Parks and Historic Sites that honor the contribution of African Americans.

About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) is a 501 (c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century long tradition of private philanthropy and raise essential funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. The National Park Foundation strengthens the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.

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