The Executive Leadership Council is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation, founded in 1986 to provide African-American executives of major U.S. companies with a professional network and forum to offer perspective and direction on national and international business and public policy issues. It is the preeminent organization that recognizes the strengths, success, contributions, and impact of African-American corporate business leaders. Council members -- nearly 500 executives, one-third of them women -- represent more than 360 Fortune 500 corporations.