---A SPECIAL THANKS ---
Thanks to all UnityFirst.com readers who submitted requests for the Black Enterprise subscriptions. Some 200 recipients will be notified this week! We appreciate your readership and look forward to sharing future opportunities and resources with you. If you have thoughts about ways people could give to others during the holidays as well as organizations or initiatives that deserve to be supported (time, talent or money) or highlighted throughout the year, send your thoughts and ideas to: editors@unityfirst.com.

---ENTER TO WIN: HBCU Business Classic, a Business Plan Competition for students at Historically Black Colleges---With the HBCU Business Classic, a business competition for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Ford Motor Company continues its pioneering efforts to increase the success of African American entrepreneurs. Winners will receive a combined total of $100,000 in scholarships for their respective teams and schools. "Ford continues to recognize a need in the Black business community to educate and develop the next generation of Black entrepreneurs," said Tony Brown, senior vice president, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Company. "This competition will empower HBCU students to achieve personal wealth, and have a residual effect of building communities through economic development, one of the core goals of Ford Motor Company since its inception." The five finalists will be judged by a group of prestigious entrepreneurs including: Dave Bing, chairman, The Bing Group; Renee Cottrell-Brown, executive vice president of Pro-Line International; George Fraser, bestselling author and CEO of FraserNet Inc.; Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., president & COO of Earl G. Graves Publishing Company; Earvin "Magic" Johnson, president of Magic Johnson Enterprises; Linda Johnson Rice, president and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company; and Susan L. Taylor, Senior Vice President and Editorial Director of ESSENCE Magazine. HOW TO ENTER: The competition is open to all HBCU students nationwide. To enter, individuals or teams of two to five students and a faculty advisor must submit a 10-page business plan via the Ford HBCU Business Web site at www.ford.com/go/hbcu. The plans must be comprised of the following main elements: type of business, product or service, pricing considerations, target market and competition, and general operations. The DEADLINE for entries is JANUARY 15, 2005.

---"Get the Word Out!" campaign targets churches and hair salons during National Epilepsy Awareness Month/November 2004--- November 1st marked the beginning of National Epilepsy Awareness Month and this year, the National Epilepsy Foundation is on a charge to help Get the Word Out! about the condition. With a mission to empower people with epilepsy, to educate those without the disorder and to encourage understanding for all, this year's campaign is about awareness and the Epilepsy Foundation has coordinated a series of events in salons and churches around the country to help meet its goals. "From Seattle to New York, we are on an awareness crusade," said this year's campaign spokesperson Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, the Haitian-born beauty, who parlayed a modeling career into starring roles on The Jamie Foxx Show and NYPD Blue. Radio public service announcements featuring Beauvais-Nilon will start airing this month to counter the stigma associated with epilepsy, also called "seizure disorders." An estimated 350,000 African-Americans have epilepsy and about 24,000 new cases among African-Americans are diagnosed every year. To get the word out at the community level, the campaign will feature educational events in partnership with African-American churches and lifestyle outlets, including beauty salons. These faith- and salon-based partners will also distribute educational materials and serve as local points of contact for the campaign. A Get the WORD Out! Contest that runs from Oct. 18 to Nov. 30 will invite youth to express what they think acceptance, tolerance and respect are all about through songwriting, rap, essay, poetry, spoken word, photography or drawing. Winners of the local contests will receive digital cameras. Those entries will go on to the Epilepsy Foundation national office where four grand-prize winners will receive a digital camera, printer and other digital-imaging kit components. Entry forms will be available from community partners or the contest's web site at: www.entitledtorespect.org For information about seizure disorders, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org or to find an Epilepsy Foundation office near you or contact the National Epilepsy Foundation office at 800-332-1000.

---New York Theater: See the new play - "White Chocolate" with Lynn Whitfield---The Culture Project and Allan Buchman, in association with Nile Rogers' We are Family Foundation present the new satirical play WHITE CHOCOLATE at the Century Center for the Performing Arts (111 East 15 Street). The play opened October 6, 2004 for an open-ended run. Directed by David Schweizer, the cast features Reg E. Cathey, Erik Laray Harvey, Paul H. Juhn, Gayton Scott, Samantha Soule and Lynn Whitfield. WHITE CHOCOLATE is a satire that takes a humorous look into the lives of two society patrons (one Jewish, the other a blue-blood) who are shocked one morning to find that their skin color has changed overnight. Through the course of the day, Brandon Beale struggles to seal the deal on his new position as Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art while his daughter returns home to announce her surprise engagement to an Asian man they've never met. WHITE CHOCOLATE plays the following performance schedule at the Century Center for the Performing Arts (111 East 15 Street): Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM; matinees are on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 3 PM. TO GET TICKETS: Mention code WCUN274 when ordering tickets to be purchased at the Century Center Box Office or by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200 (www.telecharge.com). Discounted tickets prices are $35 for weekday and matinee performances and $40 for Friday and Saturday evenings.

---Maurice Hines and Foundation celebrate the legacy of African-American arts and culture---"Giving Back in the Spirit" was the theme of the 2004 Grants Award Program hosted on Saturday, October 30, 2004 by the Elder G. Hawkins Foundation, Inc. Maurice Hines, the acclaimed stage, screen, and television entertainer received the Foundation's First Legacy Award for his 'unique artistic contribution to the international landscape." The Foundation also gave unrestricted grants of $10,000 to the Classical Theater of Harlem, $5,000 to Thirteen/WNET New York's Interactive and Broadband unit, and $2,500 each to the Children's Art Carnival and Urban Bush Women. The event was held at Thirteen's main studio in midtown Manhattan. In accepting his award, Mr. Hines commented on the importance of family support. He praised his mother's ability to maintain three jobs and transport him and his younger brother, Gregory, to dance classes. He dedicated his award to his father and the family stating "my mother and brother are standing here with me." The Elder G. Hawkins Foundation was started in 1978. It seeks to educate African American families about the important role they play in providing and sustaining support for the arts in underserved communities. For more information, send an email to LRoberson51@yahoo.com .

---Book of the Week: WHEN THE WALLS CAME DOWN - DURING AND YEARS AFTER 9/11 by Ken Greene---On September 11, 2001 Ken Greene, who worked at the World Trade Center, stayed behind to assist in the evacuation of thousands of people. His newly released book, "When The Walls Came Down," details what he experienced on that day, as well as his views on politics and race relations after 9/11 from a black American survivor's perspective. Ken Greene, a former Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, received the agency's Civilian Commendation Medal for his heroism on the day of the attack. His book features a chilling, detailed moment-by-moment account of the painstaking walk down the stairs, of remaining in the complex to help others evacuate, and of being in the complex when the south tower fell. This riveting publication also speaks out about life in America before, during and after the World Trade Center towers fell. According to Greene, "A lot changed on that day. If only for a brief moment, the walls of prejudice, ignorance and division also came down. We were simply people doing everything that we could to assist one another through an unimaginable crisis. We all became true Americans." This was an opportunity lost to heal everyone's pain and get past differences," says Greene. "When The Walls Came Down" illustrates how much of America has regressed back to a pre-9/11 mindset." For more information, or to get a copy of the book contact: Gina D.Toppins at (203) 876-1663.

----Jobs of the Week:
1)WGBH Educational Foundation/Station Relations Director---
Reporting to the Director of National Strategic Marketing, the Station Relations Director is responsible for the integrated management of Station Relations activities on behalf of WGBH programs and services. The Director is involved in developing and implementing marketing initiatives that build and enhance relationships within the public television system. The Director works closely with National Promotion Managers as well as with WGBH senior management and executive producers, PBS, PBS member station management, representatives from key WGBH departments with external constituencies, and others to assure consistent communication of institutional goals and successful implementation of marketing campaigns. Requirements for this position include: A college degree; minimum 10 years experience in public relations/marketing positions of responsibility; 3-4 years supervisory experience; promotion and special events experience; excellent managerial and communication skills, etc. Familiarity or experience with public broadcasting is desirable. To apply, please visit us at www.wgbh.org

2) The Grant and Contract Specialist in the Division of Sponsored Project Administration/Northeastern University will provide pre and post award support for National Science Foundation funded Centers. Assist assigned faculty and researchers in the development and preparation of proposal budgets, administrative requirements of proposal submission, and the submission of proposals to a variety of funding agencies. Review completed proposals prior to signature by institutional official. Create accounts on university accounting system and maintain a complex chart of accounts unique to center activities. Review and approve expenditures (personnel, purchasing, travel etc.) to assigned accounts. Assist center personnel with analysis and projections of financial information. Serve as liaison and facilitator between the center, university administrative offices, funding sponsors, subcontractors, and DSPA. Prepare or assist in the preparation of financial reports required by sponsors. Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a discipline requiring quantitative analysis. Position requires seven years experience in research administration including both pre- and post- award functions. Thorough knowledge of OMB A-21, A-110, and A-133 required. Significant experience with the National Science Foundation and FASTLANE required. Experience with other major federal funding agencies, electronic research administration, corporate research agreements and foundation awards also required. Commitment to providing the highest level customer service to center personnel is expected. Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments in a fast paced, high profile, environment. Send resume to Lawrence Barnett, 405 Lake Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or call PH: 617-373-5600.