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National Network News--

---African Americans file $5 billion bias suit against Microsoft---
Willie Gary, an internationally recognized trial lawyer, filed a $5 billion class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court, charging employment discrimination against the Microsoft Computer Corporation. The suit is one of the largest discrimination lawsuits on behalf of a class of African-Americans in the history of the United States. Seven plaintiffs, all current or former Microsoft employees, say in the complaint that they were discriminated against in regards to compensation and promotions. In addition, the plaintiffs maintain that their race played a significant role in wrongful terminations and that they were the victims of retaliation by Microsoft after complaining about their treatment. "Microsoft has discriminated against African American employees who made valuable contributions to the company, but were not treated with the same dignity, respect and compensation as their white counterparts," Gary said. Further, Gary cited Microsoft's employment figures as evidence that the company does little to hire or retain African Americans. In 1999, Microsoft employed 21,429 people, of which only 2.6 percent or 553 were Black. Of the firm's 5,155 managers, only 1.6 percent or 83 were Black. Gary noted that Microsoft and its foundation has a strong reputation for charitable contributions, including some that have benefited minorities. "That makes it even more disappointing that they do not treat their Black employees respectfully," he said. Gary, who is noted for obtaining multimillion-dollar verdicts from major corporations over the past 25 years, five months ago won a discrimination case against Disney World.

---New York: Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project----
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. announced that the Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project's 4th Annual Conference entitled "Diversity in Corporate America: The Essential Best Practice," will take place in New York City. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers at 811 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan from Tuesday, January 23rd through Friday, January 26, 2001. Online registration for the conference and more details are available on the web at www.financialproject.com and www.rainbowpush.org . The mission of the Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project is to promote inclusion, opportunity and economic growth by changing the climate in which underserved populations engage in economic life. The Wall Street Project does this by encouraging public and private industries to: improve hiring and promotion practices; name more minorities to corporate boards; award more business to minority companies; and increase the amount of business minority firms do with each other. Just a few of the top invited guests include, First Lady and Senator-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.); Congressman Charles Rangel; Richard Grasso, Chairman & CEO, New York Stock Exchange; Robert Pittman, President and COO, America Online; Bruce Gordon, President of Retail Markets, Verizon; Robert Benmosche, Chairman & CEO, MetLife, Inc.; Sumner M. Redstone, Chairman & CEO, Viacom; Robert Johnson, CEO, Black Entertainment Television; Percy Sutton, Chairman & CEO, Inner City Broadcasting; This year's conference includes a: Career Opportunity and Development Expo; Economic Trends Plenary; Diversity Workshop; Minister's Networking Reception; and the Attracting Capital to Investment Workshop. For additional information about the conference, please call the Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project in New York at 212-425-7874. Verizon will provide live streaming of the conference on the web at www.rainbowpush.org .

---Civil Rights and NAACP Legend Roy Wilkins Honored on stamp---
Roy Wilkins, a famed civil rights pioneer, has many times been recognized for his infinite contributions and now will receive one of the nation's highest honors when the U.S. Postal Service issues a new commemorative postage stamp bearing his likeness. Wilkins, former National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) executive secretary and executive director, civil rights leader, and charter member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc (Xi Chapter), will become the 24th American honored in the long-running U. S. Postal Service's Black Heritage commemorative stamp series. Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee member John Sawyer III will officially dedicate the stamp on Wednesday, Jan. 24 in a first day of issue ceremony held at the University of Minnesota in Northrop Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minn. On Jan. 25, 200 million Roy Wilkins self-adhesive 34-cent stamps will be available at post offices nationwide.

---Massachusetts: African American Festival in Worcester---
Sample from a palette of music, foods, and merchandise from the African Diaspora as The Willis Center Cultural Institute in Worcester, MA presents the 4th Annual African American Festival, February 2-3, 2001. The Festival begins with a concert on Friday, February 2 at 7 pm, which will be a family event featuring The New York Housing Authority Choir directed by Rev. Dr. Gregory Anton McCants. This choir is composed of youth ages 13 - 16 and has performed back up to Whitney Houston, the Motown Review at the Apollo Theater, & Disney's Epcot Center. The cost is $5 in advance and $7 on the day of the concert. For ticket information: 508-799-0702. On Saturday, February 3, from 10 am to 7 pm the main festival will be held at Worcester State College Student Center and includes performers such as Juliette Willoughby, Shirley Lewis, & Sanfora Dance, as well as various African American Health Resources Information and the Museum Room. Also, on Saturday, February 3 (1pm- 4pm) the Children's Festival will be held at the May Street School immediately adjacent to Worcester State College. It will feature: the National Double Dutch League with former Sesame Street Star Stephan Webb & a multicultural book sale. For general information visit our web site www.williscenter.org or call 508-799-0702.

---Black History Month on PBS, "Goin' to Chicago"---
One of the most significant, yet least-known, social phenomena in our nation's past, Black America's 'Great Migrations', have remained a missing page in American history. Now, for the first time on public television, the story of the migrations, comparable in significance to the Depression and one of the defining moments in American history, is told in the award-winning documentary "Goin' to Chicago." The film will be presented on Thursday, February 8th at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). More than 5 million African Americans journeyed from the cottonfields and Jim Crow justice of the rural South to the promise of a better life in the industrial cities of the North and West. "Goin' to Chicago" focuses on what is perhaps the most dramatic phase of the Migrations-the movement that took some 3 million black Mississippians North to Chicago's South and West Sides. For many Southern Blacks, Chicago was the city of hope. The story is told through compelling personal experiences-woven together with never-before-seen archival film and photographs, and a soundtrack loaded with blues, R &B, and gospel--much of it recorded specifically for the film. For more information, send email to gointochi@mindspring.com

---Los Angeles: Pan African Film Festival---
The 9th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival unveils an impressive list of films from Thursday, February 8 through Monday, February 19, 2001 at the Magic Johnson Theatres and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. The Pan African Film & Arts Festival, America's premiere Black History Month event and the largest festival in the United States dedicated to the exhibition of independent Black films. The opening night will sparkle with a special presentation of Fox Searchlight's new comedy, "Kingdom Come" starring Whoopi Goldberg, LL Cool J., Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vivica Fox, Cedric the Entertainer, Toni Braxton, Darius McCrary and Loretta Divine. This year's closing night, sponsored by Mervyn's of California, will feature the motion picture, "The Brothers," directed by Gary Hardwick, starring Tatyana Ali, Bill Bellamy, Morris Chestnut, D.L. Hughley, Tamala Jones, Jenifer Lewis, and Shemar Moore. For tickets, call 323-295-1706. To obtain a screening and event schedule call 213-896-8221.

---MLK and Detroit---
As part of the yearlong Detroit 300 Celebration, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2001, with a celebration entitled "Remembering the Walk to Freedom, Detroit, June 9, 1963" from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. All programs are free with museum admission. The presentation will chronicle the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom march and incorporates oral histories, music and oration.

---Job Opportunity of the Week---
Boston Public Schools, Emmanuel College, Boston Teachers Union, Massachusetts Department of Education is co-sponsoring a Teacher Recruitment Fair on January 27, 2001 at Emmanuel College's Cardinal Cushing Library from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Teachers with a focus on Mathematics, Science, Bilingual, SPED, and World Languages are encouraged to apply as well as non-traditional candidates with a strong background in Mathematics or Science. This fair is by appointment only. Please send a cover letter and resume by January 19, 2001 to: Teacher Recruitment Fair, Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools, 26 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108 or fax to 617/635-1579 The Boston Public Schools is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer that actively seeks applications from candidates of color, women and all candidates committed to our focus on children. For more information, check, WWW.boston.k12.ma.us.

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