---March Toward Progress: 40 years After the March on Washington---
Some 40 years after Dr. King mapped out his dream for social and economic equality, CNNfn, in partnership with Black Enterprise magazine, presents a special series on 'Market Call' -- March Toward Progress: 40 years After the March on Washington-- which will run from August 25 to August 28, beginning at 10:30 am. CNNfn's Market Call will take an in-depth look at the collective progress and financial pitfalls facing Black Americans over the past 40 years.

---National League of Cities reports---
Mirroring the nation's shifting demographics, city councils have grown older and more ethnically diverse over the past two decades, but the proportion of women serving on city council (about one in three) has stayed roughly the same, according to a survey of 664 council members released by the National League of Cities. The groups that influence city councils most are neighborhoods, ranking well above all others, followed by business interests and older Americans. And while council members split fairly evenly as Democrats, Republicans, or independents, nearly three out of four describe themselves as conservative or middle of the road; one in four chooses a liberal label. Conflict with other council members is the most common frustration, cited by nearly half of the surveyed officials, a significant increase over a similar study two decades ago. According to the survey, minority representation on city councils has nearly doubled, increasing to 13 percent, from 7 percent in 1979. The most dramatic increase was in Latino council members, which has risen to 3 percent, up from 1 percent in 1979. In larger cities (greater than 200,000 in population), the proportion of minorities increased to 33 percent, up from 16 percent in 1979. However, the proportion of women stayed roughly the same-28 percent, compared to 32 percent in 1979. Women are more likely to be found on city councils in larger cities where they make up 36 percent of members. City councils got decidedly older in the past two decades. Today, 34 percent of members are age 60 or older, compared to just 14 percent in 1979. At the same time, city councils in America have lost younger members. Today, only 9 percent of city council members are under 40 compared to 26 percent in 1979. About 57 percent of city council members are age 40 to 59, virtually unchanged from 1979. After two decades, the most common single frustration among city council members is still conflict with other council members, cited by 43 percent, (up from 33 percent in 1979).

---Minorities and the future market for mobile phones---
Minorities will be a driving force in the mobile phone market, as high percentages within these segments are planning to buy a mobile phone in the next 12 months, according to Parks Associates' U.S. Mobile Market Intelligence. The report found nearly one-third (31%) of African-Americans and 14% of Hispanics are planning to buy a mobile phone within that time period, compared with just 10% of Whites. Minorities were also more likely to be first-time buyers of mobile phones. Among Whites, just 3% of likely mobile phone buyers did not already own a phone. Conversely, 8% of African-Americans and 7% of Hispanics would be first-time buyers." These findings clearly have big implications for the cellular industry," said John Barrett, the report's author and analyst for Parks Associates. "In terms of subscriber growth and handset sales, minorities are becoming much more important, and were already seeing operators change their marketing and pricing as a result."

---New Lupus magazine---
The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. has partnered with Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Genelabs Technologies, Inc. to premier a national magazine providing the latest, medically sound information to individuals and their families affected by lupus. Lupus Now will appeal to both consumers and health professionals, blending an editorial voice that resonates with the 1.5 million Americans with lupus, their families, caregivers, as well as physicians, researchers and healthcare providers. The Lupus Foundation of America is launching Lupus Now in response to the public and private sectors' growing need for education and awareness in coping with lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own cells and tissue. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age with the highest prevalence among women of color, especially African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.

---Tavis Smiley moves to PBS with new weeknight talk show---
KCET/Hollywood teams with veteran interviewer Tavis Smiley for a new national late-night talk show on PBS. The half-hour series will premiere on Monday, January 5, 2004, and air weeknights in the PBS line-up that also includes "The Charlie Rose Show." The "Tavis Smiley" show, taped at KCET studios, will be the first West Coast talk show for PBS. The "Tavis Smiley" program on PBS will feature a unique mix of news and pop culture to combine for one thought-provoking and entertaining program. It will be a hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, featuring interviews with newsmakers, politicians, celebrities and real people.

---SHOWTIME to premiere 'The Original Latin Kings of Comedy' Special---
Full of Latino pride and outrageously funny, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY premieres exclusively on SHOWTIME on Monday, September 15 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT). The Hispanic version of the popular "Kings of Comedy" special, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY, stars Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, George Lopez, Joey Medina and Alex Reymundo. Showtime, which presents compelling and diverse programming throughout the year, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) with a number of programs along with THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY that feature Latino themes and talent. The network will mark the directorial debut of Oscar(R) nominee Salma Hayek on Oct. 12 with its SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages THE MALDONADO MIRACLE. The network will also highlight the works of aspiring Latino filmmakers during its annual LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE, for which the network has awarded one lucky filmmaker a $30,000 grant to make a short film that will premiere exclusively on SHOWTIME in the future.

---Send your news, events and press releases to editors@unityfirst.com! ---

For more information on African American Newswire, a national press release distribution service targeting the diverse press or UnityFirst.com, call 413-734-6444 or send email to editors@unityfirst.com.

###