NBC-LEO aims to inspire, influence and achieve during conference.

The National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) constituency, group will hold its Annual Summer ,Conference in Atlanta. The event entitled "Inspire, Influence and Achieve" will take place at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead from July 23-27.

NBC-LEO President James Mitchell Jr., councilmember, Charlotte, N.C., will preside at the conference. Felicia Moore, councilmember from Atlanta and past NBC-LEO president, is the conference host committee chair. The honorary co-chair is Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

"We have planned an extraordinary program that showcases NBC-LEO's national agenda and offers you the backdrop of the Host City of Atlanta with its rich heritage and multitude of sights and sounds," Mitchell said.

The 2008 conference program will coincide with Atlanta's annual National Black Arts Festival.

The luncheon keynote speakers include: NLC President Cynthia McCollum, council member, Madison, Ala.; Bernice A. King. speaker, author and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.; and Dr. Dennis P. Kimbro, educator and author.

Conference activities include an NLC Leadership Training Institute seminar, "Perfecting your Message: A Guide for Elected Officials" and a mobile workshop geared at addressing historic preservation and the impact of tourism on communities.

There will also be a youth summit for teens to discuss leadership, racism, stereo-typing, education and local government. For special youth summit details, updates and registration information, contact Kacey Barcliff at (919) 715-1222.

In addition to the many enlightening activities through the NBC-LEO conference, attendees will be given scheduled time to participate in the National Black Arts Festival during its 20th anniversary. They will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to see world-class performers and artists by visiting the Artists Market at the Georgia World Congress Center, the Pan African Film Festival, Funk Jazz Kafe and events to take place in Centennial Olympic Park.

For information on conference registration deadlines and fees, please call (202) 626-3191 or visit www.nbc-leo.org. For hotel reservations, contact the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead at (800) 2331234 or (404) 364-3843 by July 3, using the group code, National League of Cities. With the group discount, the room rates are: $124 for single occupancy, $149 for double occupancy, and $174 for triple occupancy with a 15 percent tax. The hotel address is 3300 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. Please visit www.hyatt.com for more information on the hotel.

"I am encouraging our colleagues from around the nation to join us, especially my colleagues from North Carolina and Georgia," Mitchell said. "Plan to enjoy the warmth and graciousness of Atlanta and experience its own brand of Southern hospitality!"