The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (“SCLC”) established in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other black ministers, celebrates the opening of its international headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, August 6, 2007, as it observes its 50th Anniversary, as well as its 49th Annual Conference.

"A lot of people doubted SCLC's significance, but I, the board of directors, and the staff at SCLC never doubted our importance in the world," said Charles Steele, Jr., SCLC President and CEO. Steele, who took over as President of SCLC three years ago, was momentous in raising the money for the new $3 million building. The two-story building located at 320 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia, will house the SCLC offices on the second floor, with the first floor leased to retail tenants and eateries.

The commemoration includes a concert featuring national and local artists and will begin at 11 a.m. at Fourth Street and Auburn Avenue. The March/Parade, which will include a visit to Dr. King’s gravesite, will begin at 2:15 p.m., ending at 320 Auburn Avenue where the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 4:00 p.m.

The 49th Annual Conference will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, August 3rd–8th.

Themed "After 50 Years: Join Us In Living, Fulfilling and Perpetuating the Dream," the conference will highlight the continuing struggle to assure civil rights, human rights and fairness for all. The six-day event will include guest speakers, discussions, dinners, dances, a tour of the Historic King District, and an awards gala. Youth anniversary events will include a Youth Round-Up/Speak Out, Hip Hopology, and Kids College.

Honorary Grand Marshals, invited guest speakers, and presenters include Ambassador Andrew Young, Dorothy Height, Harry Belafonte, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Martin Luther King III, Frederick Douglass IV, Xenona Clayton, Elizabeth Omilami, Rev. James Orange, and others.

The SCLC is nonprofit, non-sectarian, inter-faith, advocacy organization that is committed to non-violent action to achieve social, economic and political justice. The SCLC consists of local chapters and affiliates from around the world that supports the mission of the international organization, and work in their own communities to implement programs such as conflict resolution, voter registration, improvement of education, and direct action against racial injustice. SCLC is dedicated to promoting human rights throughout the United States and abroad.

For more information, call (404) 522-1420 or visit www.sclcnational.org.