Unity First Online provides subscribers with up-to-date national news, events and happenings regarding African Americans and other diverse communities. For a free subscription, send an email message to subscribe@unityfirst.com with the following information: name, city and state. Unity First Online News will be sent directly to you every Monday. If you do not see it, please forward a note to subscribe@UnityFirst.com. Send all press releases and advertising requests to editors@unityfirst.com. To view Unity First Online's African American Television Guide go to: http://www.unityfirst.com/uftv.htm. To view the latest job opportunities, check out the Unity First Online Job Showcase, please click on the blue hyperlink or go to http://www.unityfirst.com/majobbank.htm. Forward your press releases or event information to editors@unityfirst.com or via fax (508) 879-8342.

National Network News--

---Microsoft Launches Build Your Business Tour ---
Microsoft Corp. has launched a 14-city Build Your Business Tour, offering free workshops to African-American and Hispanic small-business owners across the country to demonstrate the benefits of technology. The tour began on Feb. 9 and will be presented at 14 U.S. cities through October 2001. Microsoft developed the Build Your Business Tour believing that embracing technology is important to the success of African-American and Hispanic small-business owners in the new digital economy. The tour will cover the majority of African-American small-business owners and 80 percent of Hispanic small-business owners in 14 cities, including Atlanta; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Oakland, Calif.; Philadelphia; San Antonio; San Diego; and Washington, D.C. Those interested in more information or wishing to register for the Microsoft workshops may call 877-435-7638.

---The Diversity Factor---
When it comes to diversity, actions speak louder than words, according to a WetFeet study entitled Diversity Recruitment Report 2001. The study found that 16 percent of respondents looked at a diverse workforce as a key indicator of a company's commitment to diversity while one-third of respondents indicated that they eliminated a company from employment consideration because of lack of gender or ethnic diversity. Among African American candidates, this number is even higher, with 44 percent of those surveyed reported to have dismissed a company on that basis. WetFeet's Diversity Recruitment Report 2001 surveyed 748 female and minority candidates and included interviews with 12 leading corporations on their diversity recruitment practices. WetFeet is a comprehensive recruiting solutions provider that helps leading companies to more effectively attract, hire and retain the right people.

---2001 Summit on Leading Diversity---
To provide the most extensive learning experience on diversity, Linkage Incorporated presents its second annual The Summit on Leading Diversity, March 26-28 2001 in Atlanta, GA. "Diversity has come a long way in the past twenty years, moving far beyond the legal obligations of Affirmative Action. In order for diversity to create a true business advantage, organizations must understand how to recruit and retain talented and diverse employees, leverage differences in the workforce, and form mutually beneficial partnerships with leaders within the organization and the community," said Robin Pedrelli, program manager, The Summit on Leading Diversity. The comprehensive, three-day summit held March 26-28, 2001, in Atlanta, GA. Topics include: recruiting and retaining talented and diverse employees, measuring diversity initiatives, instituting diversity above the glass ceiling, creating integrated diversity strategies, diversity training for leveraging differences, and gaining management buy-in. For more information about The Summit on Leading Diversity call (781)402-5469 or view the website at www.linkageinc.com/diversity2001. For media inquires contact Terri Vismale-Morris or Tess Vismale at (404)346-0410 or E-mail newideas@bellsouth.net.

---Issues and Answers---
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System will hold a public hearing from 1 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in room 205 of the Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building at the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, PA to gather data on issues to be explored by the Committee. All users of the state court system, including attorneys, court employees, judges, jurors, witnesses and parties are encouraged to attend and testify at the hearing. Established in October of 1999, the Committee is conducting a study of whether race, ethnicity or gender plays a role in the treatment of individuals in the Pennsylvania state court system.

--- First People, Our People: Ancient Egypt Revealed---
MEE Productions Inc., an award- winning communications and media production company, has collaborated with renowned scholar Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, III, to release First People, Our People: Ancient Egypt Revealed, a provocative and groundbreaking documentary. The 60-minute video, shot entirely on location in the Nile Valley, uncovers the true glories of the ancient African civilization originally known as Kemet, often ignored in classrooms and misrepresented by historians with different agendas. First People Our People: Ancient Egypt Revealed is available to libraries, classrooms and student centers, or as part of private home collections. Order online at MEE's Website, www.meeproductions.com or by calling toll-free, 1-877-MEE-PROD.

---Wheaties Honors Tennis Great Althea Gibson---
Wheaties unveiled a special-edition Black History Month package commemorating the career and accomplishments of tennis pioneer Althea Gibson at the Althea Gibson Early Childhood Academy in East Orange. In 1950, Gibson became the first African-American to break tennis' color barrier and went on to win five Grand Slam titles, including the 1957 and 1958 Wimbledon and U.S. Open championships. The new Wheaties package also features information about the Althea Gibson Foundation (www.altheagibson.org), which aims to enhance the education and good citizenship of urban and underprivileged youth.

---AIDS watch---
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over 67% of the new AIDS cases (46,400) reported in 1999 were among people of color (African Americans (Blacks): 47%, Latinos (Hispanics): 19%, Asians and Pacific Islanders: .79%, and Native Americans: .38%). Men of color made up close to 64% of the new AIDS cases reported among men, women of color made up over 82% of the new AIDS cases reported among women and children of color made up over 87% of the new AIDS cases reported among children less than 13 years of age in 1999.

---If you build it, they will come---
Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a developer for the historic W.W. Browne House, the home of the Rev. William Washington Browne, a former slave who dedicated himself to the cause of America's emancipated slaves. In addition, the house served as the site of the nation's first chartered, African-American-founded bank. Built around 1845, the house is located at 105 W. Jackson St., in the heart of Jackson Ward, once called the Harlem of the South and the Black Wall Street. RRHA recently acquired the house and is working to restore it with the help of its partners, the National Park Service, the city of Richmond and the city's Historic Preservation Unit of the Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Division. Developers applying for the project should be suited to the task of restoring a structure that embodies the achievements of the nation's emancipated slaves is an important part of a successful restoration process. For information, call 804-780-4712 or 804-780-4716. Proposals will be accepted until 4 p.m. local time (EST), Friday, March 2, 2001.

---Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins on Sickle Cell Disease---
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, lead vocalist of the Grammy-award winning group TLC, is featured in an upcoming Discovery Health Channel program, Sickle Cell: The Forgotten Disease. In a rare documentary interview, T-Boz shares with viewers the intimate details of her struggle with Sickle Cell disease, what she does to keep herself healthy and the demands of touring and being a new mother. "Yes, I get sick but I don't let it take over me," says T-Boz in Sickle Cell: The Forgotten Disease, premiering Wednesday, February 28 at 10:00 PM (ET). "Coping with this disease becomes a way of life." This groundbreaking one-hour special brings to light a little known genetic disease that effects millions. Worldwide, there are an estimated 5 million people who suffer from Sickle Cell and here in the United States, it primarily effects African-Americans, 1 in 500 have the disease.

Job Opportunity of the Week: Looking for a Job in Education?
Log onto: http://www.nemnet.com
Nemnet - The National Employment Minority Network is a national minority recruitment firm that helps minority students and professionals who are looking for jobs in education. View over 1,000 Job Opportunities in Education [nationwide]. Post Your Resume Online. Register for our six upcoming Diversity Career Fairs…and more! Fairs will be held in: Washington, D.C. (Feb 17, 2001), Boston, MA, (Feb 24, 2001), Providence, R.I. (March 10, 2001), New York City, NY (March 10, 2001), New Haven, CT (March 17, 2001), and Chicago, IL (April 7, 2001). Join the Network Today! Its FREE! For more information call 800.964.0534 or visit them online at http://www.nemnet.com.

Let's communicate...
Send all news items and informational requests to editors@unityfirst.com.