---Connecticut: Conference to examine "Contemporary African Issues"----
The Department of Business Administration at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) will host a conference on "Contemporary African Issues." The day-long conference will take place on Friday, October 19th. in Webb Hall, located on ECSU's North Campus. The conference will examine democracy, business development, education, women's rights, literature and the arts, technology, medicine, U.S. African relations, and the media in Africa. Dr. Chiaku Ndu, professor of business administration at ECSU and conference organizer, is issuing a call for papers. "We are looking for balanced papers on African issues that not only highlight problems, but also offer solutions" said Ndu, who also seeks papers that focus on the positive attributes of the African continent, her natural capacities, and endowments that can be developed. Conceptual, research and practical papers describing previously unpublished, original ideas or research, not currently under review by another conference, journal, are solicited on the topics listed: Business, Education, Arts, Technology, U.S./African Relations, and Social Development. The registration fee for the conference is $75 before September 1st and $85 after September 1st. The fee will cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a copy of the conference proceedings. Registration will continue until full. For more information on the conference or registration, contact Dr. Chiaku Ndu, Dept. of Business Administration, (860) 465-5393, nduc@easternct.edu or Dwight Bachman (860) 465-5114, bachman@easternct.edu.

---Texas: Can I get a loan? ---
ACCION Texas, a nonprofit microlender that provides loans and business support services to small businesses, has reached a milestone by disbursing $10 million in loans to small-business owners and setting a precedent for microlending statewide. Alice Thibodeaux, who received the benchmark loan, owns Big Man B-B-Q, a family-run barbecue restaurant in Garland, Texas. Thibodeaux needed to purchase more inventory and equipment to keep up with the demand. She then turned to ACCION Texas for help after being turned down by several banks. ACCION Texas promotes the economic self-reliance of individuals and families by providing credit and other support services to small, or micro, businesses that are unable to access capital through typical financial institutions and usually are not considered good candidates for traditional commercial loans. FYI, 80 percent of Accion borrowers are Hispanic or African-American, over half are women, and nearly all have incomes at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Since the beginning of its program in 1994, ACCION Texas has made 2,696 loans valued at over $10 million and is the state's largest microlender. For more information, call toll-free at 888-215-2373.

---Designer Touch unveils revolutionary new hair care line---
Luster Products, Inc., the leading African-American owned manufacturer of hair care products, have prided themselves on keeping a finger on the pulse of consumers' needs. Designer Touch, the professional hair care line for Luster Products, announced a new 3-N-1 Colorlaxer system that allows salon stylists to relax, color, and condition in one step. Designer Touch Strait Shades Colorlaxer has been years in the making. Relaxers, conditioners, and colors are traditionally performed as a three-step process, and in many cases done over multiple visits to the salon to ensure hair safety. Designer Touch is the first to offer a hair care system that relaxes, conditions and colors hair in one step. Strait Shades Color Seal Neutralizer locks in color and conditioners from the Colorlaxer. To extend color vibrancy and condition, Strait Shades offers the Color Enhancing Shampoo and Color Enhancing Conditioner. The Anti Shedding Conditioner offers an intensive conditioning treatment for hair that is damaged or breaking. For more information about the new Strait Shades line, visit the Designer Touch For Professionals Only Web site at www.designertouch.com or call 800/621-4255.

---Detroit: Honoring Mayor Archer---
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson presented Mayor Dennis W. Archer with an award for outstanding service to the people of Detroit at a luncheon held during the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 69th Annual Meeting. The award was presented shortly after Mayor Archer worked with several other mayors to erect two walls of a house being built for a family by Habitat for Humanity. More than 400 mayors from around the country gathered in Detroit for the organization's 69th annual conference. The USCM is a non-partisan organization representing cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

---Santa Monica: Black artists display new work in "Freestyle"---
Engaging new work by 28 young Black artists poised to emerge in the 21st Century will be on display at the Santa Monica Museum of Art from September 28 through November 18. Freestyle, a title inspired by the popular musical form, brings together an eclectic group of artists who are exploring a range of issues and working in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video and digital technology. The exhibition is a reflection of the current creative moment among a new generation of Black artists, including Laylah Ali, Rico Gatson, Kojo Griffin, Dave McKenzie, Julie Meheretu and Kori Newkirk. Their work is informed by multiculturalism and influenced by the generation of artists who emerged in the '80s and '90s. Born primarily after the Civil Rights movement and having assimilated the discourse of 'Black art', the artists in Freestyle offer a new perspective on identity, culture, and aesthetics. For more information and museum schedule, call (212) 864-4500. A 72-page illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition. It includes color and black and white illustrations and artist biographies. Freestyle is sponsored by the Philip Morris Companies. For more information about Philip Morris' programs and philanthropy, visit the company's web site at www.philipmorris.com. Don't miss this
great exhibit! For more information, contact Adorn Lewis/ Sarah Sharp, (312) 986-1250 or send email to alewis@flowerscomm.com. Also contact, Laurie Guzzinati, Philip Morris Companies Inc. at (917) 663-2144.

---Ratings history---
With the live telecast of its First Annual BET Awards on June 19, Black Entertainment Television (BET) again set a ratings threshold for the network in what has already been a stellar ratings season. The BET Awards landed a 4.26 rating (2.83 million households), easily making it the most-watched entertainment special in BET's 21-year existence; and the second highest-rated show ever on the network. Encore telecasts are scheduled for June 26 at 8 p.m.ET/PT, including the glitzy red carpet arrivals at 7:30 p.m.ET/PT; and June 30
at 9 p.m. ET/PT (awards show telecast only).