---Minority banks to finance $26.5 million---
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. has signed an agreement with Citizens Trust Bank, the largest minority-owned bank in the Southeast, and 24 other minority-owned banks across the country to finance a revolving credit facility of $26.5 million. According to James Young, Citizens Trust Bank President and CEO, the agreement represents the first contract of this magnitude with Citizens Trust Bank. "Our new banking partners have worked diligently with us to create a valuable new credit facility," says Vicki R. Palmer, senior vice president, treasurer, and special assistant to the CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises. Each bank is a member of the National Bankers Association (NBA), founded in 1927 as the trade association for the nation's 103 minority and women-owned banks. Participating banks include: African-American owned banks - Citizens Trust Bank, Atlanta, GA; Carver State Bank, Savannah, GA; Douglass National Bank, Kansas City, KS; United Bank & Trust Company, New Orleans, LA; Boston Bank of Commerce, Boston, MA; First America Bank, Jackson, MS; Mechanics & Farmers Bank, Durham, NC; City National Bank of New Jersey, Newark, NJ; South Carolina Community Bank, Columbia, SC; Citizens Bank, Nashville, TN; Memphis First Community Bank, Memphis, TN; Tri-State Bank of Memphis, Memphis, TN; Unity National Bank, Houston, TX; Legacy Bank, Milwaukee, WI; and North Milwaukee State Bank, Milwaukee, WI. Participating Asian-American owned banks are General Bank, Los Angeles, CA; International Bank of Chicago, Chicago, IL; and, East bank, N.A., New York, NY. Participating Hispanic American owned banks are Gulf Bank, Miami, FL; United Americas Bank, Atlanta, GA; New York National Bank, Bronx, NY; and, Falcon National Bank, Laredo, TX. Participating Native American owned banks are American Bank of Baxter Springs, KS; First National Bank & Trust Co., Shawnee, OK; and, First State Bank of Porter, OK.

---National Museum of African American History---
Dr. Robert L. Wright, chairman and CEO of Dimensions International, a leading information technology company, was named to a presidential commission charged with creating a plan of action for a national museum of African American history to be located on or near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-Okla.), a sponsor of legislation to create the commission, was named an ex-officio member along with fellow sponsor Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). Six leaders from around the country were named by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert as voting members of the commission. The commission will develop a plan of action and an appropriate site for a museum. In addition to Wright, members of the commission include: Vicky A. Bailey - Assistant secretary at the Department of Energy's Office of Policy and International Affairs, Earl G. Graves - Founder and publisher of Black Enterprise, Lerone Bennett, Jr. - Executive editor of Ebony magazine, Claudine Brown - Director of the arts program at the Nathan Cummings Foundation in Brooklyn, New York, Michael Lomax - President of Dillard University in New Orleans and the founding chairman of the National Black Arts Festival.

---South Carolina: Atlantic Beach---
The Grand Strand in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina attracts more than one million people each year to bask on its beaches. Contributing greatly to the tourist numbers is the Atlantic Beach Bikefest on the Grand Strand, formerly known as Black Bikers Weekend. For the past 21 years it has grown into one of the biggest and most lucrative events in South Carolina. Over 500,000 bikers and pleasure seekers congregate in Atlantic Beach to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, the beginning of summer, and to watch the latest motorcycle trends. Huge crowds spill on to neighboring areas that include N. Myrtle and Myrtle Beach. Recently, South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges designated over $2 million toward an advertising campaign to increase tourism in the State of South Carolina. Atlantic Beach asks whether a part of that campaign will support their 22-year-old event, and efforts to welcome African Americans to the Grand Strand? While Bikefest is the Grand Strand's number one revenue generator, will it continue to be overlooked, and instead, blamed for problems that could easily be avoided with planning and resources? "Appallingly," says Town Manager Carolyn Montgomery, "after 22 years, Atlantic Beach has received only $75,000 in total aid from the County tourism related tax. That averages out to a little over $3,000 per year. "The State could help Bikefest with funding as it does for other local events, to manage problems inherent in attracting large crowds," says Montgomery. "It's hard to believe that the state is welcoming and making provisions for tourists but hasn't found it necessary to discuss our 22-year-old event or the financial resources needed to facilitate it." For further information, contact Karen Glover at 718-941-1978.

---Wayne State launches study to examine rising incidence of kidney cancer---Wayne State University (WSU) and the Karmanos Cancer Institute, together with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), have announced the launch of a case-control study to learn about what causes the most common type of kidney cancer-renal cell cancer. The NCI-funded study hopes to identify factors that contribute to the development of kidney cancer. The study will also try to determine why kidney cancer rates are rising, especially among African Americans. Study sites are located in Chicago and Detroit. Since 1973, kidney cancer has been increasing by about four percent annually in African Americans, compared to two percent in Caucasians. This is the first major effort to examine racial disparities in kidney cancer.

---African-American doctors seek more diversity in prescription drug ads---The National Medical Association (NMA) released the first survey of African-American doctors' views on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs. Physicians reported that the ads positively impact consumers and help them become more actively involved in their health care. To ensure that African-Americans receive the full benefits of drug advertising, the NMA calls on the pharmaceutical industry to place more ads in traditionally African-American media outlets and to create more drug advertising initiatives that are culturally diverse. "Doctors are finding that these ads are helping our patients talk to us about medical conditions they're at risk for," said Dr. Lucille Perez, NMA president. NMA's survey of nearly 900 African-American physicians represents the largest and most comprehensive survey of African-American physicians on the issue of DTC advertisements to date.

---Campaign aims at improving health of African-Americans---
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced a new HHS-ABC Radio Networks campaign to reduce health disparities affecting African-Americans by encouraging individuals to go to a doctor for a health screening as part of "Take A Loved One To the Doctor Day." Designated as Sept. 24, 2002, "Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" will rally African- Americans to visit a health professional or make an appointment to see a health professional. The campaign is part of "Closing the Health Gap," an ongoing partnership that combines HHS' medical expertise with the broadcast resources of ABC Radio Networks to provide important health information to the African-American population. The campaign is designed to encourage African-Americans and other minorities to become more involved in their health care and health choices by working with local organizations and ABC Radio Networks' 240 urban affiliates to help set up appointments with health care professionals and to accompany them on visits to the doctor. For more information on this effort, call 1-800-444-6472.

---Essence Awards---
The Essence Awards, saluting excellence in entertainment and the arts as the nation's preeminent magazine for Black women, has moved venues from New York to Los Angeles this year. Tickets are now on sale to the public to attend the celebration, taping at the Universal Amphitheater on Friday, May 31st. The show will bring together celebrity entertainers and local community leaders for a mix of celebration, musical performances, comedy and more. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, with seat prices ranging from $50 to $500.

---Travel: Gospel Cruise----
Here's a new twist for cruise travel! The "Harmonies At Sea" Gospel Cruise features gospel music, comedy and inspirational speakers. According to Deirdre Booker Pippins, of Cruises for Causes, developing a gospel cruise addresses a need for the gospel music listener and persons leading a Christian lifestyle."
The cruise features traditional and contemporary gospel entertainment, fitness instruction and seminars for singles and married couples. The next annual "Harmonies At Sea" Gospel Cruise will set sail aboard Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas, for a 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary including Key West, Cozumel, Mexico and Costa Maya, Mexico. The cruise leaves September 2 and returns September 7, 2002. For more information, contact Deirdre Booker at (800) 448-1039. or send email to CruisesForCauses@aol.com.

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