Unsung Heroes Pays Tribute
To African Americans In The Military
Elk Grove, CA – A continuing oral and visual history project is underway that honors the legacy of African American veterans and their contributions in the military during wartime and peacetime. The Unsung Heroes Living History Project is spearheaded by Lisa Daniels, who after discovering her grandmother was a civilian Riveter in the Brooklyn Shipyards during World War II, wanted to learn more about people of color who contributed to the military effort in the World Wars. Saddened by the limited information provided by mainstream anthologies and school textbooks, Daniels wanted to ensure the legacy of the African American veteran would not be forgotten.
Unsung Heroes is an exciting intergenerational program that teaches young people valuable 21st century job skills and the importance of community service, volunteerism, and civic engagement. Working with adult mentors, youth producers interview veterans for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, and use computers to combine the veterans’ words with images and music, creating short digital stories that are shared with schools, libraries, and museums. The search is on for veterans and their families willing to share their stories, as well as volunteer interviewers.
To participate, call Project Coordinator Lisa Daniels at 916-821-7017 or e-mail at: unsnghros@yahoo.com.
 
8th Annual National African American Breast Cancer Conference
Houston, Texas – Sisters Network Inc., the nation's only African American breast cancer survivorship organization, recently unveiled plans to host its 8th Annual National Breast Cancer Conference: Celebrating Survivorship. The three-day conference will be held April 7 to 9, at the Intercontinental Hotel, 2222 West Loop South, in Houston, Texas.
Registration is $165 and includes general sessions, workshops, exhibits, a live interactive web cast and a Signature Awards Luncheon featuring Dr. C. Kent Osborne, Director of the Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The conference concludes with the Gospel Prayer Breakfast featuring Award-winning Gospel recording artist Vickie Winans.
The conference is the only annual national African American Breast Cancer conference to specifically address the impact of breast cancer among Black women. One recent breast cancer study found that African American women are 130 to 150 percent more likely than white women to be diagnosed with later-stage tumors and face a 50 percent greater risk of dying.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center will provide continuing education CEU and CHES credits. This activity meets Type One criteria for mandatory continuing education requirements toward re-licensure as established by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas.
To register, call 1-866-781-1808 or visit www.sistersnetworkinc.org.

Bin Laden's African Mistress Releases Memoirs
New York, NY – Much maligned by the U.S. media, Sudan's top selling literary novelist, Kola Boof proves that she was Osama Bin Laden's mistress in startling detail as her autobiography Diary of a Lost Girl finally hits America in hardcover. While he's still alive and could reasonably have her killed, Kola Boof charges that because she is "Black Arab", Bin Laden saw her as a "non-woman" and used her body accordingly, keeping her against her will for six months in 1996 and implanting tracking devices in her teeth to keep her from escaping. Boof says that a recent book by Bin Laden's sister-in-law Carmen only demonstrates how he treated White Arab Muslim women in his own family. Boof's 441 page autobiography is decidedly literary and contains over 90 detailed pages of her time with Bin Laden, including hunting and fishing excursions with the terror chief, very graphic details about their sex life, Bin Laden's gift for writing poetry, his marijuana smoking, and his reputed illnesses (Boof claims that Ayman Al-Zawahri acted as Bin Laden's doctor and that his "kidney disease" is greatly exaggerated).
Boof, who is half Arab Egyptian and was born Muslim, has become infamous for her criticism of Arab Muslim "imperialism," particularly the abuse of Black women and children in Sudan and Egypt. Kola Boof, has published six books in eight countries. She was adopted and raised in the United States by Black Americans in 1979, became a U.S. citizen in 1993 and returned to North Africa as an adult in 1994.
For more information or to read Boof’s interview, visit www.poetwomen.50megs.com/custom3.html.

Black Memorabilia And Collectible Show
Washington, DC – The Greater Washington, DC Black Memorabilia and Collectible Show will be Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., in Gaithersburg, MD. There will be many exhibitors from across the United States with Black memorabilia and collectibles for sale including historical artifacts and documents, books, stamps, paintings, prints, textiles, autographs, toys, dolls, advertisements, art, political memorabilia, kitchen collectibles, sports and entertainment memorabilia, postcards, cookie jars, and much more. Notable exhibits include slavery artifacts, Jim Crow memorabilia, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the Black Panther Party. Also, there will be autograph sessions with former players of Negro League baseball teams.
Purchases of Black memorabilia are considered a good investment since the value of such items has continued to appreciate over the years. It is expected that attendees will travel from across the country to participate in this unique event. There will be plenty of good food and free parking. The show is indoors and will be held rain or shine. The Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg is located just outside the National Capitol Beltway I-495 and can be reached by taking I-270, exit 11, and following the signs. Admission is $6.  Children 12 and under are admitted free.
For more information, call 301-649-1915, e-mail Ljohnsonshows@aol.com or visit ww.johnsonshows.com

Interest Heats Up In Blackdoctor.Org.
Chicago, IL – BlackDoctor.org is gearing up for a busy 2006 as African Americans--along with physicians, dentists, and others in the healthcare community--discover the health portal for African Americans. "The buzz has been just phenomenal," said publishing and Internet entrepreneur Reginald Ware, who launched BlackDoctor.org last fall. "It just confirms that there was a dire need for this product. Historically, Blacks have suffered disproportionately from many diseases and conditions. It's a good time to acknowledge that Black health needs specialized attention, which is what we provide. We work to change African American views on health and healthy living."
Launched on Nov.15, 2005, BlackDoctor.org is already fielding nearly 200,000 visitors per month. The web site is chock full of health information that is of specific interest and concern to African Americans, including articles such as "The Top 10 Killers of African Americans," a diabetes risk test, and the country's first Soul Food Pyramid.

NAACP Launches Effort To Increase African American Graduation
Baltimore, MD – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) received a $200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The “Redesigning the American High School Initiative Grant”, will be used to support NAACP high school reform initiatives and to promote efforts to increase high school graduation rates for African American
youth.  According to the Manhattan Institute, nearly one of every three public high school students fails to graduate. Forty-four percent of African American students will not graduate with their class. Of those who do graduate, most leave school without the skills they need to succeed in college, work, and citizenship. Jim Shelton, Program Director of Education, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, “Through this partnership with the NAACP, we will strengthen the support for innovative efforts to provide African American students with the education they need to graduate from high school ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
                       
City Of Los Angeles Ordered To Pay $1 Million To Slain Rapper Biggie's Family                 

"It's pretty clear from the ruling that the judge understands this is a significant and difficult case," said Perry Sanders, an attorney for the rapper's family.  Christopher Wallace, or Notorious B.I.G., was shot and killed March 9, 1997, after a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The killing has not been solved.
Cooper declared a mistrial last summer in the family's civil lawsuit after finding that a police detective hid statements linking the killing to former LAPD Officers David Mack and Rafael Perez. She also ordered the city to pay the slain rapper's family's legal costs. The plaintiffs had been trying to show that Mack, a convicted bank robber, orchestrated Wallace's killing with the help of college friend on behalf of Death Row Records chief Marion "Suge" Knight. All three have denied involvement. Attorneys for the family received an anonymous tip from a former officer that a department informant had tied Perez and Mack to the killing. Detective Steven Katz claimed he had overlooked a transcript of the remarks in his desk. But Cooper ruled that Katz and perhaps others concealed the information, which could have bolstered the family's contention that Mack was involved in the killing. A retrial is set to begin later this year.
 
Hattie McDaniel Featured on New 39-Cent Postage Stamp
Los Angeles, CA – Hattie McDaniel, movie actress, singer, radio, and television personality, and the first African American to win an Academy Award became the 29th honoree in the U.S. Postal Service's long-running Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. The 39-cent Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp highlights the achievements of this legendary performer who won the Oscar for her role as Mammy in the award-winning 1939 film Gone With the Wind.
Although McDaniel was often heavily criticized for playing maids and other stereotypical roles, she worked behind the scenes to battle racism and discrimination. McDaniel is remembered for saying, "I'd rather play a maid than be one," and although she encountered racism in Hollywood, she and several other Black actors worked to change the film industry from within during the 1940s. McDaniel was born June 10, 1895, in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Denver, CO.
To see the Hattie McDaniel commemorative stamp, visit www.usps.com/shop, and click on "Release Schedule" in the Collector's Corner. Current U.S. postage stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available at 1-800-STAMP-24.

Spring Conference For African American Journalists Of Faith
Atlanta, GA – John W. Fountain, professor of journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and former reporter for the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Washington Post, will deliver the Samuel Cornish memorial lecture at the Third World Journalism Institute spring conference for African American journalists of faith, April 21-22, at Morehouse College. The conference draws student and professional journalists of faith nationwide, who will be encouraged and challenged to integrate their Christian faith and journalism practice in an appropriate fashion. Also attending the conference are photojournalist Kenny Irby (Poynter Institute) and health news producer Marsha Eaglin (Christian Community Health Center, Chicago). Cost is $25. Housing, meals, and books are provided by WJI.
To register, visit www.worldji.com. For more information call Kimberly Collins at 800-769-7870 or visit collins.wji@gmail.com.

Leading Black Owned TV And Radio Networks Enter Broad Sales And Cross-Promotional Alliance
Atlanta, GA – Black Family Channel (BFC), the only wholly owned African American television network and American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), the only African American owned network radio conglomerate, have entered into a wide-ranging business partnership. Black Family Channel is viewed in 16 million cable households and provides a mix of "original, real, relevant and responsible" entertainment and informational programming with an authentic African American point of view. American Urban Radio Network reaches 25 million urban listeners weekly with over three hundred entertainment, news and sports programs broadcast on four distinct networks that are carried by more than 475 radio stations nationwide. The alliance allows AURN and BFC sales executives across America to sell advertising time and mount promotions on both platforms simultaneously, providing advertisers with unparalleled "one stop" access to African Americans of all ages everywhere, whether they are at home watching TV or on the go listening to the radio.
Rick Newberger, President and CEO of Black Family Channel said,” The benefits will flow to our viewers and AURN's listeners as well, as this wide ranging alliance opens vast new possibilities for more and even better entertainment, news and sports programming that come authentically from the community being served. The audience," he concluded, "can tell that we're the real deal."

Newspaper Group Elects Kimber As President
Los Angeles, CA – The West Coast Black Publishers Association (WCBPA) recently announced that Les Kimber, a founding member of the organization, has been elected president. At their recent elections this month Kimber stated that he would work to ensure that member publications receive their fair share of US corporations multi-billion dollar newspaper advertising budgets that African American newspapers have in many cases been unfairly denied.
For more information, call Les Kimber at 559-268-0941or fax 559-268-0943.

Sistahs Gather In Jamaica For Spiritual Retreat
Nationwide – Sistahs from across the country are planning to gather in Jamaica to celebrate The Joys and Pain of Sistahhood. It's the Sixth Annual Sistah's Jammin' In Jamaica Free to Be Selfish By Putting Self First Retreat with facilitator Star Waters to be held July 2-9. Karaine Holness, Jamaican born business owner of Hair's Kay Beauty & Barber Salon in New Haven, Connecticut, has taken more than 70 women to this magical Isle including best selling author Debrena Jackson-Gandy as a past facilitator.
Indulgences include: All retreat sessions, meals, snacks, accommodations, airport transfers to and from hotel, private ground transportation, unlimited cocktails and beverages, gym access, tennis, and non-motorized water sports, dancing at the World's Famous Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville, nightly live entertainment at Coral Cliff, as well as many optional activities.
Prices for the retreat experience (airfare not included) start at $1,690 for double-occupancy room and $1,940 for single-occupancy room. Enjoy eight days and seven nights at the Four-Star, all-inclusive a-la-carte Coyaba Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Space is limited.
For more information, visit www.sistahsjammin.com or call Karaine Holness at 203-509-1516.

National Policy Alliance Seeks To Ensure Voting Rights For Citizens Displaced By Katrina
Washington, DC – The National Policy Alliance, a group of leading African American public officials, is calling for immediate action by Federal and local governments to ensure that citizens displaced by Hurricane Katrina can execute their right to vote in elections this year.
Groups represented in the Alliance, are concerned that victims of the hurricane will be disenfranchised and unable to vote because their homes are uninhabitable. The Alliance is asking that provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which is used to protect the voting rights of military personnel, be enacted to allow displaced citizens to cast ballots this fall.