---"Business Connections for Profitability" and follow-up to FORTUNE's Diversity Section---Corporations and businesses gathered in New York to get the bottom line on recent diversity and business trends during a leadership seminar, "Business Connections for Profitability," hosted by UnityFirst.com. The insights presented documented the newest 'reality' for diversity and business success across markets, industries and geographies. The event featured a discussion and review of Fortune Magazine's 2003 diversity special section, Martha R.A. Fields and her new book, Love Your Work by Loving Yourself, and Mosaica, the newest diversity, business and public relations reference guide. If you couldn't attend this session, we would still like to hear your views on FORTUNE's Special Diversity Section (posted on UnityFirst.com) website. Let us know what your thoughts are about the content of the section and let us know what diversity issues you want to see get more coverage. Send the responses (due Friday, Nov. 21) to: jfondon@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659.

---U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Observes National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month---The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights joins the nation in observing National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 2003. According to the 2000 census, almost 2.5 million people in the United States identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1.6 million identify as part American Indian or Alaska Native. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the U.S. population of American Indians and Alaska Natives increased 26 percent, 110 percent among those who are part Native American or Alaska Native. During that period, the U.S. population as a whole increased 13 percent. Many Native Americans are members of the 562 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and despite their history of achievement, typically face crushing poverty, discrimination, and associated problems. The national poverty rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 24.5 percent between 1999 and 2001, according to the latest national information available, compared with 11.6 percent for the entire U.S. population.

---Nelson Mandela's global AIDS awareness and fundraising campaign---
FedEx Express, transported more than 88,000 pounds of concert equipment in support of Nelson Mandela's global AIDS awareness and fundraising campaign, "46664 - Give 1 Minute Of Your Life to AIDS." The company donated the use of its extensive global transportation network and shipping expertise to transport the valuable cargo from London to Cape Town, South Africa. The 46664 global initiative, named after Nelson Mandela's prison number on Robben Island where he was incarcerated for 18 years, will raise money from a celebrity-filled concert, and associated CD and DVD, as well as through a global fundraising event via the telephone or Internet. The FedEx Web site, www.fedex.com, provides additional background information on the event and initiative, as well as a link to the official 46664 Web site. Preparation is underway for the November 29 concert featuring artists such as Bono, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, Peter Gabriel and Beyonce, among others, who are joining together to perform and record songs specifically written for the 46664 campaign.

---Reel Sisters of the Diaspora seeks original works for film festival (no fee)---Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series seeks films of all genres directed or produced by women of color. Filmmakers will have their original works viewed at a public screening attended by distributors and other industry professionals. In March 2004, Reel Sisters will present its first Best Female Animation Award to recognize outstanding women of color animators. For further information or an application call (718) 488-1052 or (212) 865-2982. You can also visit www.reelsisters.org. Film shorts, animation, works-in-progress, narratives, features, and experimental works are eligible. Please include a short biography, film synopsis and self-stamped-and-addressed envelop (if you wish for your entry to be returned). Submissions by and about young people are welcomed for our special Teen Speak film section. Entries must be submitted on VHS format for submission-only. All entries must be received or postmarked by November 19, 2003. For extensions, call (718) 488-1052 or (212) 865-2982. Reel Sisters is sponsored by African Voices magazine and Long Island University, Media Arts Dept., Brooklyn Campus. The conference, which will be held from March 12 to 14, 2004 is committed to providing opportunities for women of color in the film industry. Reel Sisters is a three-day conference that provides professional workshops for emerging women filmmakers wishing to improve their craft and gain access to the resources they need to succeed in the film industry.

---Florida's Sarah Blocker---
Florida Governor Jeb Bush will induct Florida Memorial College Founder Sarah Ann Blocker into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame on Monday, November 17, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, Plaza Level. This year's inductees also will be honored at a private reception at the Governor's Mansion. The induction ceremony is open to the public. "Sarah Blocker made an important educational contribution to the state of Florida by founding Florida Memorial College," said Governor Bush. "She has offered exceptional opportunities that have benefited generations of African American students. She built a foundation for higher learning based on principles of leadership, character and service." The announcement leads into the College's efforts to recognize outstanding leaders who founded South Florida's only historically Black college during its Founders' Day Celebrations to be held in March 2004. Sarah Ann Blocker (1857 - 1944), educator, women's dean, fundraiser and vice-president, founded the institution when she was only 22 years old in 1879 along with other Christian ministers of the Florida Bethlehem Baptist Association in Live Oak, Florida. Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial College is the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing."

--- U.S. department of Education designates Boston's Cambridge College as a Minority Institution of Higher Education (MIHE)---In Massachusetts, Cambridge College was awarded $800,000 over four years by the US Department of Education to recruit, prepare and graduate a diverse group of special education teachers for the greater Boston area. It is the largest competitive grant awarded by the federal government to Cambridge College in its history. This collaborative project is a partnership with three urban districts -- Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence--which have a substantial number of minority youngsters who are in special needs classes, while over 90 percent of the special needs teachers are White. In Boston, 83% of its special needs students are minorities; in Cambridge, 67% and in Lawrence, 85%. The purpose of the grant is increase the pool of qualified and diverse special education teachers. The US department of Education has designated Cambridge College as a Minority Institution of Higher Education (MIHE), the only one in Massachusetts offering a pre-service program in Special Education. According to the US Department of Education, Cambridge College can make a significant impact on the shortage of qualified and diverse teachers because of its long standing commitment to diversity. The college's overall enrollment of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and other minority students exceed 40% of its entire student enrollment. Cambridge College has been recognized by nationally distinguished publications including Black Issues in Higher Education and The Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education-as a leader in educating minority adults. According to the July 3, 2003 issue of BIHE, the College ranks first in the country in conferring the Master of Education degree to African Americans (more than major state universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and third in the country in conferring the Master of Education degree to all minorities. Cambridge College ranks first in conferring the Master of Education degree in Massachusetts to all minorities; first to African Americans; and third to Hispanics and Asian Americans. The College ranks second in Massachusetts (after Harvard University) in conferring master's degrees in all disciplines to all minorities.

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