(BLACK PR WIRE)( June 17, 2010) Atlanta, Georgia - Talk show host, comedienne and Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique will be honored at the Atlanta Urban League's 2nd Annual Spirit of the League Community Empowerment Day Awards Luncheon. The event will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atrium Ballroom, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue in Atlanta.

HLN Weekday anchor Richelle Carey and Ryan Smith, host of TruTV's "In Session, will co-host the event. WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore, honorary co-chairs Roger Bobb, executive vice president of Tyler Perry Studios and William Hawthorne, senior vice president of diversity strategies and legal affairs of Macy's, Inc., will assist in the presentation of the awards.

Spirit of the League will honor community heroes whose stories will inspire others to succeed. This year the League will present its Spirit Lifetime Achievement Award to Mo'Nique, because through her life's experiences she has overcome challenges and obstacles to achieve personal success and contribute to the community.

"Mo'Nique has demonstrated the Spirit of the Urban League movement by overcoming challenges that could have completely redirected her life's path," said Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Urban League. "Instead, she found the courage, spirit, commitment and dedication that enabled her to stay focused on achieving her dreams. The Atlanta Urban League is proud to honor Mo'Nique as we believe that her story will inspire others to achieve their dreams in the face of adversity."

Noni Ellison-Southall, vice chair of the Atlanta Urban League's Board of Directors and board member Gail Nutt are co-chairs for the event. Cox Enterprises, WSB-TV, Channel 2 and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. are presenting sponsors. Other sponsors include: Macy's, Anheuser Busch, ING Foundation and the Coca Cola Company.

Mo'Nique rose to fame in the series, The Parkers. She made a name as a stand-up comedienne performing at many venues, including Showtime at the Apollo. Mo'Nique transitioned to the big screen with roles in Phat Girls and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. In her latest role in the film Precious, Mo'Nique won numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award. Today, she hosts The Mo'Nique Show, a late-night talk show on BET.

The Atlanta Urban League was organized to inspire, encourage and assist individuals to achieve their highest human potential by enabling African Americans and others in underserved communities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The agency partners with corporate and community stakeholders to offer pathways to empowerment through education, workforce/career development, housing, youth development and entrepreneurship.

The Spirit of the League Awards Luncheon is a fundraising event for the Atlanta Urban League. Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members. For more information, tickets, or sponsorship, visit www.atlul.org, or call Dottie Johnson at (404) 659-6580.