---Essence honors---
The December issue of ESSENCE magazine reflects back on the epic year that was 2008 and recognizes 25 distinguished African-Americans who have made a difference. From the rise of political figures to the celebrity activists changing the world and entertainers breaking artistic ground ESSENCE honors the extraordinary trailblazers that made 2008 an unforgettable year. President-elect Barack Obama received the most votes in an online poll on essence.com, earning recognition as the "Readers' Choice" for the year's most influential African-American. The list features the newsmakers like Gwen Ifill and Donna Brazile who helped shape this year's news and captured the attention of millions while making a powerful impact on the media landscape. Celebrities who raised the bar and achieved enormous success are saluted as well, like Tyler Perry who became the first African-American to own a major television and movie studio and Will Smith who broke barriers at the box office. Following the pattern of historical moments in African-American history, New York Governor, David Paterson makes the list as the first Black governor of New York and the first blind governor of any state.

Carl Brooks


Julian Bond

Business World Index

---Executive Leadership Council congratulates President-elect Barack Obama---
The following is an excerpt from a statement by Carl Brooks, President & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council: “On behalf of the Boards of Directors of The Executive Leadership Council and The Executive Leadership Foundation, and the 460 African American senior corporate executives which represent the membership of The Executive Leadership Council, we want to congratulate and honor the newly elected 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. We honor this historic accomplishment as the answered prayer of the deferred dreams of so many who came before him. This victory is validation that the content of one's character does mean more than the color of one's skin. For over 22 years, The Executive Leadership Council has worked to advance the opportunities for African Americans within the corporate leadership pipeline to become CEOs and reach the C-Suite.”

---NAACP's 100th anniversary---
The 40TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will broadcast live from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium Thursday, Feb. 12 (8:00- 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The star-studded broadcast, which coincides with the NAACP's 100th anniversary, will kick off the organization's year-long centennial celebration. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai will be awarded the NAACP Chairman's Award during the special. The Chairman's Award, chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. "I am very proud to recognize Former Vice President Gore and Dr. Maathai for their substantial efforts in environmental awareness, sustainable development and peace," said Bond. "Their courageous and historic accomplishments have benefited not only current but future generations, and they clearly reflect the values that we have so valiantly fought for over the past century."

---African American law firm history---
The Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, in association with Temple University and the Philadelphia Bar Association, will host the symposium "Creating Access: The Norris Law Firm and the Liacouras Committee" on Wednesday, November 19, at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St., beginning at 6 p.m. More than 50 years ago, a time when African-Americans had few, if any, options to practice in majority law firms, a courageous and talented group of African-American lawyers formed what is considered by many to be Philadelphia's first African-American law firm, Norris, Schmidt, Green, Harris, Higginbotham & Brown. The firm's in-court victories, as well as its out of court influence, created access for countless persons across the region and nation. "Creating Access" will tell the story of how these Philadelphia lawyers came together to change the profession, primarily through the recollections of a panel of people who either witnessed or participated in these events. By retelling their story, we celebrate the achievements of the Norris Law Firm, the Liacouras Committee, and other diversity pioneers who contributed to making a legal career accessible to a more diverse group of lawyers and provided an example of professional courage and commitment to principles that continue to inspire today.

---Let Freedom Sing: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement---
The songs of the Civil Rights movement are the subject of a stunning new three-CD set from Time Life Music that will be released during Black History Month 2009. Civil Rights wasn't the first movement in American history to generate memorable songs, but it was the first in which music not only reflected the movement but drove it. It is one of the most inspiring stories in American history. Time Life's Vice President of Audio & Video Retail, Mike Jason, adds, "From the dark and ominous 'Strange Fruit' to the joyous message of 'Free At Last,' the set is filled with songs that reflect the painful, yet ultimately triumphant, Civil Rights struggle. Music nurtured the movement and the movement inspired the music. The nation's lowest point is undoubtedly its treatment of African Americans while the ability of African Americans to contribute so prodigiously to the culture in spite of that treatment is perhaps the finest example of what we can be as a nation. It's an honor for all of us at time Life to share this music and a small part of the story."