---Minority female Democrats speak out about leadership---
According to a new nationwide survey commissioned by LEADS at Spelman College, minority female
Democrats say leadership ability, not race or gender, is the primary motivator for their selection of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential nominee. In the first survey conducted to explore the political interest and mindsets of minority females, less than 10 percent of African-American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American female Democrats admit that race (2.7 percent) or gender (6 percent) are the primary motivators for selecting the next presidential candidate. Nine out of 10, say they will choose based on leadership abilities. In fact, the majority (19 percent) say integrity is the most important leadership characteristic. "Contrary to the sensational headlines, this survey shows that minority women are looking beyond the surface of race and gender," said Jane E. Smith, Ed. D., executive director of LEADS at Spelman College, a leadership development center for women.

Della Britton Baeza

Chuck Davis

Business World Index

---Jena Six update---
Jeremiah Munsen, 18, of Colfax, La., pled guilty to a federal hate crime for his role in using nooses to threaten marchers who participated in the "Jena Six" civil rights rally, announced Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, and Donald W. Washington, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. The defendant admitted that he displayed two large nooses from the back of his pickup truck with the intent to frighten and intimidate the demonstrators. He and the other person with him hung the nooses in a manner so as to be clearly visible to the gathered demonstrators, and Munsen then drove past the group two or three times while the other person glared out the window at the demonstrators. Munsen further admitted that he and the other person had previously discussed the Ku Klux Klan and how they thought the Klan would have responded to the rally in Jena, and he acknowledged that the Jena Six rally followed extensive public discussion regarding, among other things, the history of racial lynchings in the United States and the perception that a noose, when displayed in a racial context, constituted a symbol of racial violence. Sentencing is scheduled to be held on Aug. 15, 2008.

---Jackie Robinson Foundation---
The Jackie Robinson Foundation will commemorate its 35th anniversary with a reception on April 30th. Guests will include basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, actor James Avery, Dodger greats Lou "Sweet Lou" Johnson, Al Downing and Tommy Davis, each of whom has a longstanding history of supporting the Foundation's efforts. The Jackie Robinson Foundation was established in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, wife of the baseball and civil rights luminary, to perpetuate Jackie Robinson's pioneering legacy and commitment to equal opportunity and excellence. The Foundation provides four-year college scholarships, mentoring and leadership development training to academically gifted minority students with leadership capacity who would not otherwise be able to attend college. "Our 35th anniversary commemoration marks a true milestone for the Foundation, and is a tribute to our vast and loyal network of supporters who share our commitment to providing opportunity through education and shaping the leaders of tomorrow," said JRF President & CEO Della Britton Baeza.

---Charles “Chuck” Davis to receive the Capezio Dance Award---
The Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation, a philanthropic organization funded by the premier world-wide dance footwear and apparel manufacturer, Capezio Ballet Makers, proudly announces the selection of Charles “Chuck” Davis as the 57th recipient of the Capezio Dance Award. Awarded annually since 1952, the Capezio Dance Award celebrates significant contributions to American dance by an individual, company or institution. Chuck Davis began his formal training with classes in the dance and drama departments of Howard University.  In 1967, the Chuck Davis Dance Company was established at the South Bronx Community Action Theatre. In 1977, the Chuck Davis Dance Company presented its work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on a stage designed to resemble an African village. This event launched the festival that has become DanceAfrica -- an annual celebration of African and African American dance. The Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation will present the 2008 Capezio Dance Award and the accompanying $10,000 honorarium to Chuck Davis during a performance of DanceAfrica at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday May 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM. The award will be presented by Ms. Carmen de Lavallade.

---Conference Board's Annual Diversity Conferences---
Leading diversity experts and HR executives from organizations ranging from IBM, Manpower, ADP, Oracle, Microsoft, Pepsico and Motorola, to the Anti-Defamation League and higher education, will examine critical workplace issues and challenges such as faith, disabilities, generational differences, globalization and the mature workforce, among other issues, at The Conference Board's annual diversity conference. This year, the conference will be held May 6-7 at the Hilton in New York, and June 26-27 at the Coronado Marriott Resort in San Diego. One of the largest diverse communities in the U.S. with a spending power of over 220 billion dollars is the disabilities sector, yet an unemployment rate of 60 percent is prevalent. Jeff Klare, Chief Executive Officer of Hire Disabilities Solutions, will examine the marketability of this community and the reasons for this disparity. In a special session on faith at work, The Reverend Pamela Moore, Episcopal Deacon, Diocese of Northern California, and Associate Director, Law Enforcement Resources, Anti-Defamation League, will identify challenges and opportunities for promoting inclusive, faith-based workplace programs.  A session on "After Maturity: What's Next?" will feature new research from The Conference Board that challenges many preconceptions about older workers. For more information, visit The Conference Board website at http://www.conference-board.org.