The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) has announced a $1 million community impact investment to support boosting entrepreneurship and addressing social and economic justice.

The announcement was made during the organization's annual recognition gala. The celebration wraps up ELC Week, programming geared toward Black business leaders through programs like its CEO GameChanger Conference and Mid-Level Managers Symposium. This year's event hosted nearly 4,000 guests, including corporate CEOs, executives and up-and-coming business leaders from the most significant global corporations, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Fort Washington, Maryland, Oct. 3 - 6.

The ELC is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 with an agenda to increase the number of global Black executives in C-suites, corporate boards, and global enterprises. Comprising more than 800 current and former Black CEOs, senior executives and board directors at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline, a statement reads.

Among the funding recipients is the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. It recently received $800,000 from Walmart for its PayPal Retail Academy. The Legal Defense Fund and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, also received money.

Also, a highlight was that a record-breaking $3 million in scholarships was distributed to 138 collegiate students from 67 academic institutions, including 40 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

During the symposium, scholars had the opportunity to receive professional development and participate in workshops hosted by corporate sponsors, including "Executive Presence: Gravitas Like a Boss," hosted by Bank of America, "Your Network is Your Net Worth — Leveraging Sponsors & Mentors," hosted by Amazon; and "Navigating The Interview & Cultivating a Confident You," sponsored by Synchrony, among others. See the complete list of scholarship partners here.

The closing event featured a performance from R&B group Boyz II Men. Furthermore, it honoured Black leaders in corporate America, including Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson, independent board member and corporate executive Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Synchrony.