---On UnityFirst.com TV: Hill Harper, Chris Tucker, Vivica A. Fox and Suzzanne Douglas and other entertainers team up for a 2008 Voter Education campaign---New America Media (NAM) launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign featuring actor Chris Tucker, actress Suzzanne Douglas, actor Hill Harper, actress/producer Vivica A. Fox, TV personality Rocsi and many other stars urging registered voters, particularly people of color, to bring the necessary identification to the voting booth on Election Day. With many states toughening their identification requirements for voters to cast ballots, NAM’s PSA campaign is a major voter education project that aims to increase participation in this historic election. Television stations are being asked to air the star-studded, 30-second PSA.  NAM, a collaboration of ethnic news outlets, also has available 30-second radio PSAs by Ms. Fox and Mr. Tucker, B-roll for stations seeking footage of the making of the PSAs, versions of the TV and radio PSAs that can be aired from websites, and print ads for newspapers and magazines.  “This is a very historical election," said Fox, actress and host of the VH1 new reality television show Glam God with Vivica A. Fox. "It will shape the future of our nation, and it’s crucial that people understand what they need to do so their votes will be counted. We want everyone to be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote and not be turned away at the polls, so we ask that voters please bring the proper identification and refrain from wearing political paraphernalia to the polls on November 4th.”  Go to UnityFirst.com to see the video!

Janine Fondon

John Payton

Nelson Mandela

Business World Index

---FYI: Forbes and UnityFirst.com partner to distribute diversity-focused business news---
Forbes magazine has partnered with UnityFirst.com to distribute the diversity-focused special advertising sections produced by Forbes Custom Solutions as well as to share other diversity and business news generated by UnityFirst.com. The Forbes special sections and other business news about diversity will be shared throughout the UnityFirst.com network, including its quarterly e-magazine and weekly Business World Index. Beginning December 1, 2008, select articles will be posted on ForbesDiversity.com. "We are looking forward to sharing the important stories of diversity and business leadership that are critical to success, today and tomorrow," says Janine Fondon, President and CEO of UnityFirst.com. "Cultural competence is the key to global growth," notes Selden Blommer, Executive Director, Forbes Custom Solutions, who invites corporations and other organizations to participate in the special advertising sections. "By covering the key issues and sharing success stories and best practices, we offer important, authentic dialogue about diversity and the future of global business success." UnityFirst.com welcomes companies and individuals to share information and interests related to diversity and business leadership and to participate in these special advertising sections as well as in other features generated for ForbesDiversity.com. To participate in upcoming 2009 Forbes diversity sections, contact Gloria Lerner at (212) 831-7068 or email gilerner@verizon.net. To share diversity-focused news or participate in any of UnityFirst.com advertorial reports, contact Janine Fondon at (413) 734-6444 or email jfondon@unityfirst.com. For the full story, go to UnityFirst.com.

---NAACP Legal Defense Fund---
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) recently settled the lawsuit it filed in Indiana state court to ensure that eligible voters with property subject to foreclosure proceedings or evictions cannot have their right to vote challenged during the upcoming November 4th election. In settling the case, the plaintiffs and defendants, Marion County Election Board, and non-parties Marion County Democratic and Republican parties, agreed that such challenges are not permitted under Indiana law. "Foreclosure has no bearing on one's eligibility to vote," said John Payton, LDF President and Director Counsel. "The settlement ensures that the current foreclosure crisis gripping the nation will not be exploited to strip the right to vote away from those who are among the financially vulnerable among us. Challenges based on foreclosure are the kind of voter suppression tactic that threaten our efforts to move towards an open and equal Democracy." The case, Herring v. Marion County Election Board, was filed on behalf of an African-American family that fell behind on their home payments and faced the threat of foreclosure over the last two years, and the Greater Indianapolis Branch of the NAACP which has provided advocacy on behalf of countless families facing foreclosure in the region.

---The legacy of Nelson Mandela---
The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) USA, an organization created to ensure the future of South Africa's children, will celebrate Mandela's 90th birthday with an intimate dinner, Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The historic evening will be co-hosted by acclaimed actor and four-time Emmy Award winner Danny Glover and Emmy Award and NAACP Image Award winning actress Lynn Whitfield. Serving as Honorary Co-chairs for the event will be musician/actor and social activist Harry Belafonte and chairman and CEO of AEA Investors, Vincent Mai. Zinzi Mandela, Mandela's daughter, will be in attendance representing her father. Mandela is a figure larger than life, a hero rare in history. His story is a parable of faith and tenacity, of human possibilities. Mandela's dream of transforming the racist society of South Africa into a multiracial democracy lasted more than 50 years. His vision for building a new South Africa continued after his presidency. Driven by his love for children and a desire to end their suffering, former President Mandela established the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) in 1995 while serving as President. The Fund's mission is to strive to change the way society treats its children and youth.