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National Network News--

---Education is the key---
President George W. Bush visited Merritt Elementary School in Washington, D.C. citing it as an example of how successful education reform can increase student achievement. The school recently experienced a significant increase in student math scores after implementing the Lightspan Achieve Now(TM) program -- developed by San Diego based Lightspan, Inc. The school's student population is 100 percent African American, 80 percent of whom come from poor families, according to school Principal Nancy Shannon. In today's education climate where accountability is the critical criterion by which educators are being measured, Ms. Shannon credits the Lightspan Achieve Now program with playing an instrumental role in helping students meet their goals during the summer school session.

---Rainbow/PUSH Silicon Valley Digital Connections 2001 Conference, April 11-13---
The Rainbow/PUSH Silicon Valley Project will hold its Second Annual Digital Connections 2001 Conference. This year's conference will be held April 11- 13, 2001 at the Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA. While the "digital divide" is now a household word, the challenge of creating digital connections between the high tech industry, minority businesses, communities, and schools needed to unleash the full talent and resources available in our society still exists. This year's conference will address the new economic climate in Silicon Valley and the technology industry.

---Reparations for African Americans---
The discussion of reparations for African Americans and indigenous people, once thought to be limited to "extremist" groups, is now discussed widely by many. The upcoming U.N. World Conference Against Racism that will be held in Durban South Africa in August 2001, will see the issue of reparations front and center on its agenda. Public information about Reparations is often misleading, exaggerated and confusing. To this end, the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University with support from the White House is sponsoring a public information session on reparations on February 23, 2001 at Fisk University. The conference is free and open to the public. To register, simply fax your name, address and telephone number to:615-329-8806. For more information, contact Theeda Murphy of the Race Relations Institute via email: tmurphy@usit.net or Ray Winbush, Director, Race Relations Institute via email: rwinbush@usit.net

---Freedom to Play---
Players like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and David Robinson may not have known Harry "Bucky" Lew, the first African American to play professionally, but they owe him a debt of gratitude. For it was the sacrifices and hardships, both on and off the court, of players like Lew that paved the way for the successes of African-Americans in basketball today. Lew joins the roster of legendary figures and immortals such as Earl Lloyd, John McLendon, William "Pop" Gates, Clarence "Big House" Gaines and Bill Jones who are largely responsible for spreading the game across America, into the inner-city and developing a brand of basketball that isemulated in gymnasiums throughout the world. These pioneers successfully broke basketball's color barrier and it is their stories and significant contributions that comprise a new exhibit at the Basketball Hall of Fame. During Black History Month, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is unveiling a new exhibit entitled "Freedom To Play: The Life & Times Of Basketball's African-American Pioneers." The exhibit, which opens on Feb. 1, 2001 and runs until May 15, chronicles the African-American role in the development of basketball in the 20th Century on the barnstorming, collegiate and professional levels for both men and women. "Freedom To Play," will also be on display at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station as of February 1, 2001. For information about the exhibit, media activities, teacher's guides or field trips, contact Kimberley Lee, Senior Director of Marketing, at 413-781-6500 ext.132 or via email at kimlee@hoophall.com. There will be an opening reception on January 31, and media as well as the general public are invited to attend. For more information, contact Kim Lee.

---Paris to Honor Entertainer, Civil Rights Pioneer Josephine Baker---
Paris, France has chosen February to unveil a memorial on the site of a square that will be named in honor of world famous entertainer and civil rights pioneer Josephine Baker. Baker becomes the first African American woman to receive such an unprecedented honor from the French government. 15, Avenue Montaigne was the address of Baker's second "Chez Josephine" nightclub in 1948. Today, it is home to an auction house and current site of an extraordinary exposition on Baker's life. "Josephine Baker: Music Hall and Paillettes", features hundreds of Baker's personal momentoes, costumes and evening gowns. Josephine Baker was 19 years old when she arrived in Paris with the troupe of "La Revue Negre" in 1925. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, June 3, 1906, Baker dedicated her life to living and teaching racial equality. In the 1950s she adopted a "rainbow tribe" of 12 children to prove to the world they could live in racial harmony. Baker died in Paris, April 12, 1975. For further information, contact Black Paris Tours' Ricki Stevenson: 01.46.37.03.96 or via email: rickis@club-internet.fr.

---Los Angeles: Pan African Film and Arts Festival Unveils Films---
Beginning Thursday, February 8 until Monday, February 19, 2001, the 9th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival unveils an impressive roster of films. Showcased at the Magic Johnson Theaters and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival is America's premiere Black History Month event as well as the largest festival in the United States dedicated to the exhibition of independent Black films, here and abroad. A complete festival schedule can be obtained by calling (213) 896-8221 or by visiting www.paff.org on the web.

---New York City: Black History Month at The Brooklyn Public Library---
African Voices, Anansi and Mosaic literary publications and the Central Brooklyn Public Library's Youth Wing will host a Black History Month series celebrating youth culture and literature. The series will be held at the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza (corner of Eastern Parkway). For information call (212) 865-2982 or (718) 230-2100 (Central Library). On Sunday, February 4, 2001, 1:30 pm African Voices magazine and Kevin Powell, Brooklyn author will kick-off the reading series with a discussion and booksigning on his recently released anthology.

---Massachusetts: Let's Celebrate Black History Month!---
The 4th Annual African Festival of The Willis Center Cultural Institute in Worcester, MA opens with a family concert on Friday, February 2 @ 7:00 PM. The New York Housing Authority Choir directed by Rev. Dr. Gregory Anton McCants performs at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 717 Main Street, Worcester, MA. This choir is composed of youth ages 13 - 16 & has performed back up to Whitney Houston, the Motown Review at the Apollo Theater, & Disney's Epcot Center. Cost: $5.00 in advance and $7.00 on the day of the concert. For ticket information: 508-799-0702. On Saturday, February 3, 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. the festival moves to Worcester State College Student Center. Performers include Juliette Willoughby, Shirley Lewis, & Sanfora Dance. Other features African American Health Resources Information & the Museum Room. On Saturday, February 3 (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM) the Children's Festival takes place at the May Street School immediately adjacent to Worcester State College and features : the National Double Dutch League with former Sesame Street Star Stephan Webb and a multicultural book sale. Transportation to this site will be available. For additional information visit our web site www.williscenter.org or call 508-799-0702.

----------------------------Unity First Online Career Fair-----------------------
For complete descriptions of positions, check the Unity First Job Opportunity Showcase.

---Career Opportunity: Human Resources Manager---
A Boston headquartered non-profit organization with 21 offices nationally and 200 staff drives a mission of community advocacy and housing services. This rapidly expanding non-profit organization has an exciting career opportunity for a Human Resources Manager to develop and drive the overall human resource strategy for the company. For more information, ontact OSA Partners, Inc. - Consultants in Executive Search (617) 547-1446 or send email to ghazard@osapartners.com, Fax - (617) 547-1518.

----Career Opportunity: Housing Consultant---
The Housing Consultant is responsible for providing comprehensive housing counseling services to the clients, and administering the mortgage programs to ensure the success of the company and the continuous commitment of our funding sources. If interested, contact OSA Partners, Inc. (617) 547-1446 or email osapartner@aol.com.

---Career Opportunity: Financial Analyst (Boston)--
The primary purpose of this position is to analyze and examine on a weekly basis the Central Sales Database to ensure that it is in balance with both the Store Ledger and General Ledger. If interested, contact: OSA Partners, Inc. (617) 547-1446 or via email at osapartner@aol.com.

---Career Opportunity: President--
President - The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) seeks a President/CEO to lead it as a vital asset to New England's residents, institutions of higher education and public officials. Since 1955 NEBHE has been charged to: increase educational opportunities and services for New England residents. Interested candidates should contact: Beverly Brady, Associate, Isaacson Miller, 334 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Fax: 617/262-6509, Email: bbrady@imsearch.com NEBHE is an AA/EOE.

---Career Opportunity: Diversity Employment Day in Los Angeles---
CareerFair Productions announces the alliance of The City of Los Angeles for the upcoming "Title VII" Diversity Career Fair, January 30, 2001 at the Los Angeles Convention Center between the hours of 11am and 7pm. Title VII refers to the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, sex and national origin.

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