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National Network News
---Diversity and the television networks---
NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said that stronger actions, including economic sanctions, might be needed to encourage greater diversity within the television networks. Mfume said the report card released by the television diversity coalition is just one measure of the progress or lack of progress that has been made since he highlighted the problem in 1999. Although the NAACP did not participate and has not seen the report card being distributed by the media coalition, Mfume said that efforts such as this are nonetheless still laudable. The NAACP plans to release its own report of the television industry during the national convention in July. "One year after the signing of preliminary agreements, we are very much concerned that more progress has not been made," Mfume said. He also noted a recent study of the 2000-2001 seasons by the advocacy group, Children Now, showed all the major networks remain predominantly white.

---Los Angeles: Banking on Crenshaw---
Residents and businesses in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles have a new banking option in their community since a new U.S. Bancorps branch opened on May 16 at 5760 Crenshaw Boulevard. The team of five tellers and personal bankers will provide banking services in the branch, led by branch manager Eric Lee. Lee is a pastor and 15-year resident of the Crenshaw district, who has been with U.S. Bancorps since August 2000. He comes to the new Slauson-Crenshaw branch from Founders National Bank of Los Angeles where he was a business development officer. The branch will offer a full array of banking services, including 24-hour banking, an ATM and a teller window specifically for merchants. A building behind the branch will be home to the U.S. Bancorps community center, which will be available to local organizations for meetings and other activities. To celebrate the opening, the public is welcome to a grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot outside of the new location. Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, with assets in excess of $160 billion, is the 8th largest financial services holding company in the United States.

---Atlanta: MBC Network takes honors---
The Major Broadcasting Cable Network (MBC Network) has been selected for two of its original programs as a Bronze Finalist in the 22nd Annual Telly Awards. The two award-winning programs are "Sports Lifestyles" and "Health for the Nation," hosted by former Detroit Tigers and New York Yankee all-star, Cecil Fielder and Atlanta, GA., physician, Dr. Vickie James. One of the "Sports Lifestyles" programs features athlete turned politician, Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, Jr. and New York Yankees' Derek Jeter and the other program submission gives the history of baseball's Negro League Barnstorming. "Health for the Nation" is the other Telly Award show that was lauded for its in-depth look at "Asthma" in the African-American community. The Telly Award has become one of the most sought after awards in cable television, commercial and video industries. Founded in 1980, the Telly award recognizes outstanding non-network and cable TV programming, commercials, films and video production. Also, in June at the Sixth-Annual National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) Georgia Freedom Fund Gala, MBC Network is being honored for its determination and tenacity in the continuous pursuit for African-American, family oriented programming. Also, Black America's Political Action Committee (BAMPAC) will honor the network as this year's recipient of their Arts and Entertainment Award for its strong commitment to promoting positive, value-based family programming. Major Broadcasting Cable Network, (MBC Network) is America's first minority-owned and operated, 24-hour cable network committed to providing wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

---Boston: Ossie Davis Stars in Theatrical Tribute to Massachusetts Abolitionists--- The Museum of Afro-American History presents JUBILATION 2001 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, beginning at 6:30pm on Friday, June 15. "Juneteenth: An Emancipation Quilt" is the theme for the second annual gala and complimentary exhibition of the Emancipation Quilt, opening on the 15th from 10am - 1pm at the Museum's African Meeting House, 8 Smith Court in Boston. Ossie Davis will be featured at the gala in a theatrical tribute to the courageous men and women who fought for freedom, equality, and education, and changed the course of American history. In honor of those dedicated Massachusetts citizens, the Museum will present its first African American History Awards. The evening's program also will feature New African Company: Theatre for the People, The Inspirational Freedom Choir, the Washington-Calvo harp and flute duo, and Life Force. Pam Cross, WCVB-TV news anchorwoman and reporter, and Eric Jackson, host of WGBH Radio's "Jazz with Eric in the Evening" will serve as ceremony hosts for the gala and weave highlights of Massachusetts' history throughout the program. Designed by visual and performing artist L'Merchie Frazier, also the Museum's Education Director, the "Emancipation Quilt" traces American history from slavery to freedom and celebrates the holiday now recognized by many as a milestone in American human rights. The historical quilt brings together fragments of history from the gatherings of free African Americans and abolitionists in Massachusetts to the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This commitment to freedom culminated in the emancipation of slaves as far away as Texas more than two years later on what is now known as Juneteenth, June 19, 1865. The quilt will be on exhibit at the African Meeting House throughout June and featured in a special exhibit on quilting that opens in July. For more information about JUBILATION 2001, call (617)725-0022, ext. 9 or send email to ldl@niamedia.com.

---Memphis: Isaac Hayes on the move---
In a unique marriage of food and music, entertainment icon Isaac Hayes partners with Memphis-based Lifestyle Ventures and Minneapolis-based Famous Dave's of America, Inc. in the development of a new entertainment/restaurant concept. The concept will open two locations this year with the first opening in Chicago in June and the second in Isaac's home town of Memphis, Tennessee in late-summer. The restaurant menu will offer personal favorites of Hayes along with many of the award-winning Famous Dave's barbecue items. Isaac Hayes will be performing on a regular basis along with other top musical artists. The venue will provide musical entertainment nightly from a wide array of music styles and performers. The new concept is an L.L.C between Isaac Hayes, Lifestyle Ventures and Famous Dave's, with Famous Dave's as the minority partner. The partnership will acquire Famous Dave's Ribs and Blues Club in Chicago and convert the location in to the Isaac Hayes concept this June. Shortly thereafter, the flagship location at Peabody Place Retail and Entertainment Center in Hayes' hometown of Memphis, Tennessee will open.

---Chicago: Investing for Success Program---
The National Urban League, Coalition of Black Investors-Investment Education Fund, and the Investment Company Institute Education Foundation announced that one in a nationwide series of free investor education workshops promoting greater understanding among middle-income African Americans about the benefits of long-term investing will be held in Chicago. The Chicago "Investing for Success" workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13. Registration is from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the program is scheduled between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The National Urban League, the Coalition of Black Investors- Investment Education Fund, the Chicago Urban League, Ariel Capital Management, and the Investment Company Institute Education Foundation sponsor the workshop, which will be presented by Melody Hobson, president of Ariel Mutual Funds. To reserve a space at the free workshop, call 1-877-358-5888 before June 11.

---New York: Cultural Circle Conference---
On Saturday, June 30th from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm, African Voices magazine's Second Annual Cultural Circle Conference will bring together artists, writers and vision makers for an important forum. The conference will offer information for artists on everything from writers retreats and workshops to exhibition opportunities for visual artists and grants. Artists will also learn about protecting their work on the Internet. The day long forum will include a special book signing for Terrie Williams, author of "Stay Strong," an inspirational book for teens, and an evening of film presentations by independent filmmakers. Columbia School of the Arts Film Division will co-host the forum, which will be held at Columbia University, Lerner Hall, Room 555. Registration fee: $10. For information and conference schedule call (212)865-2982 or e-mail africanvoices@aol.com.The Circle's theme "Make It Plain: Vision Makers In the New Millennium" will honor Malcolm X's legacy and celebrate the work of today's cultural activists who use art to inform and inspire.

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