NEW YORK (December 29, 2006) – The Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Wall Street Project celebrates its 10th anniversary as a force for economic justice and equal opportunity with a gala reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, at the United Nations Headquarters, First Avenue at 46th Street, New York City.

The reception brings to a close the 10th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Economic Summit, to be held Jan. 7-10, 2007, at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, 811 7th Ave. at 53rd Street in midtown Manhattan. For more information regarding the economic summit go to www.wallstreetproject.org.

“When we originated the Wall Street Project a decade ago, our goal was to bring Wall Street to Main Street, broadening economic opportunities nationwide,” said Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. “Today, the dominant force in business is globalization, and the Wall Street Project, accordingly, is expanding its scope to highlight the worldwide need for access to economic opportunity.”

The Wall Street Project and Rainbow PUSH Coalition expect to establish their international presence by opening an office in London in the coming months, he added.

“Reverend Jackson has been an international icon for so long that the global perspective is second nature for the Wall Street Project,” said Andrew Carr, executive director of the Wall Street Project. “Holding our anniversary gala at the United Nations – with its powerful symbolism for all the world – is a statement and an embodiment of Reverend Jackson’s standing and of the organization’s growing global focus.”

Starting Sunday, Jan. 7, and continuing through Wednesday, Jan. 10, the 10th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Conference will feature an international perspective with embassy representatives of African nations present at sessions on investment opportunities on the continent. Sessions also will focus on such domestic business topics as contract procurement, access to capital, retaining legal talent, strategies for small businesses, relationships between church and commerce, and more.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY) and U.S. Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D- Ill.) are among the political leaders whose attendance is confirmed at the conference. Dozens of business and government leaders, including several FCC commissioners, Shell Oil Co. CEO John Hofmeister, and representatives from Boeing, Citigroup, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and others, also will attend.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is headquartered at 930 E. 50th St. in Chicago. For more information about the RainbowPUSH Coalition, please visit the organization’s website, www.rainbowpush.org, or telephone (773) 373-3366.  To confirm your attendance at the press conference, or to get additional information, please call the number listed above.