---NAACP launches picket against Adam's Mark Hotels---
The NAACP has launched a massive 23-city picket against the Adam's Mark hotels to protest discriminatory practices toward African Americans. NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said, "This picketing is a major component of the NAACP's national boycott of the Adam's Mark hotel chain for discriminatory treatment of African American employees and guests. The NAACP will continue direct protest actions such as this until Adam's Mark puts into place verifiable policies and procedures to prevent discrimination by its staff and managers and to properly address discrimination should it occur." Mfume adds, "The NAACP believes in speaking truth to power and we want concrete action from Adam's Mark, not just talk. Adam's Mark must make amends for its past practices and until justice is served we will continue to walk the picket line and walk away from their hotels." For more information, go to UnityFirst.com and click on AANewswire.

---Essence news---
ESSENCE chairman and CEO Edward Lewis recently announced that publication
Director Susan L. Taylor has appointed Diane Weathers as the new editor-in-chief of ESSENCE magazine. Weathers succeeded Monique Greenwood as of July 17, who stepped down to devote her full attention to her businesses and her family. Greenwood currently operates a nationally acclaimed bed-and-breakfast, manages her own restaurant, presides over a national reading group for Black women, authors books, and is a devoted wife and mother. In addition, she will open a second bed-and-breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey, this month. Diane Weathers comes to the ESSENCE family with more than 25 years of editorial experience, with her most recent stint as senior editor, news features at Redbook magazine where she was responsible for developing, assigning and editing monthly reports, front-of-the-book news stories and personal profiles. Publication director Susan L. Taylor will remain as the chief editorial executive responsible for the overall vision, articles and images of the publication.

---Toyota announces $7.8 billion, long-term diversity commitment---
Toyota announced a comprehensive rededication to diversity and inclusion that will generate more than $7.8 billion in sustainable minority economic impact by Toyota's North American companies over the next 10 years. These funds will flow to the minority community through procurement, advertising, dealer development, community involvement, professional services and career training. Representing a dramatic increase over the present levels of commitment,
the plan also includes processes to ensure accountability and delivery of promises. The strategy was jointly developed by Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North America, Inc. Toyota also announced a visionary multi-million-dollar industry initiative to improve minority representation in lucrative dealership management and technical positions. This new program will go beyond traditional corporate diversity measures that focus on compliance and quotas, helping to launch careers and fill the automotive dealership pipeline with diverse talent. A series of meetings with Rainbow/PUSH Coalition founder Reverend Jesse Jackson provided Toyota with an opportunity for a comprehensive review of its existing diversity programs.

---Atlanta: Citizens Bank to offer African American theme checks---
Citizens Trust Bank, the fourth largest African-American-owned bank in the nation, has announced that it plans to offer to its customers African-American theme checks. AfrocenCheck, Inc., an eight-year-old check design and printing company, based in Atlanta, Georgia, will supply the checks. The announcement comes as the company begins preparations to celebrate its 80th anniversary on August 16, 2001. "We are proud to offer our customers an additional selection of checks that feature scenes from African American life and history," said Willard "Chuck" Lewis, Senior Executive Vice President and COO. He adds, "The country's largest check suppliers are John Harland, Deluxe Corporation and Clarke-American currently do not provide a wide variety of checks that target the African-American market." Ty Canady-Worthy, President & CEO, AfrocenCheck, said, "We created these unique checks in order to cater to this untapped niche market, to symbolize the power of the 'Black Dollar' as well as increase the awareness of African- American heritage. " He noted, "According to a study conducted by the University of Georgia, African- Americans will account for two out of every three dollars of minority spending totaling a buying power of $572 billion per year. This study also indicated that African-American buying power has increased 86% in the past decade, faster than any other ethnicity. Afrocencheck symbolizes such buying power with their bank checks, while simultaneously fostering pride, respect, and education of the African-American culture."

---New York City: African American Male Empowerment Summit (AAMES) ---Reverend Floyd Flake, pastor of the Allen AME Cathedral, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church and Randall Robinson, president and founder of TransAfrica News Service will address New York's 4th Annual African-American Male Empowerment Summit (AAMES) on August 17, 2001 at City College of New York (Student Center -Convent & 136th Street) in Harlem, New York. Included are workshops for men, women and youth and a powerful Think Tank. Topics include entrepreneurship, fathering, youth leadership, mentoring and community development. New to the 2001 agenda is a "Women's Perspectives on Fathering" workshop. Among the highlights of the summit are addresses by Richard "PeeWee" Kirkland - Founder, School of Skillz, Min. Kevin Muhammad - NOI Mosque #7 and Kemba Smith. For more information, go to the UnityFirst.com web site and click on African American Newswire.

---Boston: Caribbean Week in Boston----
Caribbean week is August 19th through August 25th, 2001 in Massachusetts and this year is the 10th anniversary of the Massachusetts law proclaiming it as such. Several celebration events are planned and a 13 track "Sweet Sounds of Caribbean Artists" CD was produced by a Boston company to commemorate the anniversary. In November, 1991 Senator Bill Owens joined with the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, the Caribbean Ad-Hoc Committee and Ambassadors from Caribbean nations to celebrate the passage of the bill, Senate 1108, Proclaiming the last week of august as Caribbean Week in Massachusetts. Senator Owens' Legislation cited people of the Caribbean as "distinguished residents of the state who have made significant contributions to life in Massachusetts." He noted at that time there
were more than 300,000 Caribbean nationals residing in the Commonwealth. For a full listing of the events and key contacts for Caribbean week, go to UnityFirst.com and click on Boston Index, a link for Massachusetts-focused
news.

---Jazz sensation Patricia Adams in New York on August 17---
Treat yourself to a relaxed evening of fine dining and live jazz at Yvonne's Southern Cuisine, 503 Fifth avenue at Sixth Street, in Pelham, NY on Friday, August 17 from 6:30 to 10:00 pm. Hear the 'not so standard' jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Arlen & Mercer, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday and more by jazz vocalist Patricia Adams. Duo with Jon Weiss on piano. Come on out and let the music entertain you while you enjoy the elegant surroundings and the soulful entrees served. Make your reservations (recommended) now by calling (914) 738-2005. FYI, there is plenty of free parking.

---Detroit: African World Festival ---
Vendor booths are completely sold out at this year's African World Festival, presented by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. African World Festival (AWF), the Museum's largest annual educational outreach program, will be held at Detroit's Hart Plaza on August 17-19, 2001. Each year, AWF presents the African Marketplace where artisans from around the world demonstrate their crafts and creativity on-site. AWF 2001 will feature over 100 vendors from Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and North America, representing an array of authentic African and African American arts and crafts including jewelry, traditional African clothing, paintings, sculpture, textiles and handcrafted wooden masks.

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