WASHINGTON, May 6, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Entertainment includes gospel singer Shirley Caesar

The Honorable Charles B. Rangel, Chair, Ways and Means Committee U. S. Congress; Roland S. Martin, syndicated columnist, radio host and CNN commentator; Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress; Bev Smith, host of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), "The Bev Smith Show;" Derrick A. Humphries, Esq, executive director Black Congress on Health, Law and Economics; and Jerry Lopes, president AURN, and the team at American Urban Radio Networks are among the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's (NCBCP) 2008 Spirit of Democracy Award recipients. Sponsors include: General Motors Corporation, State Farm Insurance Company, AT & T and AMGEN. The Spirit of Democracy Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to creating balance in the democratic process and support the NCBCP's mission and vision of making civic participation a cultural responsibility and tradition.

WHO: National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

WHAT: Spirit of Democracy Awards Dinner

WHEN: DATE: Wednesday, May 7, 2008

TIME: 6:30 PM

WHERE: Renaissance Hotel - Renaissance Room

999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC

HOW: Media should RSVP to edmedia@dogonvillage.com or 818.613.9521.

Founded in 1976, the NCBCP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing African American participation in civil society. The National Coalition has trained and engaged African American leaders and community activists in overcoming institutional barriers that have hindered the growth of Black communities politically, socially and economically. For more information call 202-659-4929 or visit www.ncbcp.org.

SOURCE National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

http://www.ncbcp.org

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved