---Go to UnityFirst.com---
Get information on the multicultural communications/PR and business directory, Mosaica.

---Reaction to July unemployment numbers---
The following is a brief excerpt from a statement by U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), regarding the July unemployment numbers announced by the U.S. Department of Labor: "Unfortunately, for the sixth month in a row, the U.S. economy has lost jobs -- 44,000 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Moreover, because the economy continues to sputter along and businesses continue to cut jobs, reports indicate that many workers have given up the search for work. They are therefore not counted in these numbers. In July 2001, the unemployment rate was 4.6%. In July 2002, the unemployment rate was 5.8%, and today's July 2003 announcement put the unemployment rate at 6.2%. So, contrary to the President's proclamation, progress has not been made. In fact, the African American unemployment rate for July was 11.1 %, and the Hispanic unemployment rate was 8.2% -- both rates are much higher than the national rate."

---Broadcast industry and commitment to diversity?---
The president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists blasted the nation's broadcasters for paying lip service to diversity and backpedaling in their commitment to full racial and ethnic integration of their newsrooms. The remarks from NAHJ president Juan Gonzalez came after the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) announced for the second straight year that the association's annual employment survey has shown a sharp decline in the percentage of Hispanics and other minorities working in local radio and television news. The percentage of Hispanics in local television news in 2003 was 6.5 percent, down from 7.7 percent last year and 10.1 percent in 2001, according to the RTNDA study. Hispanics currently comprise 13.5 percent of the overall U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census.
When the large number of news professionals working in Spanish-language television is separated out, the employment percentages are even more dismal. Only 5.2 percent of newsroom employees in English-language television are Hispanic.

---Russell Simmons and Tony Brown in Atlanta for August 20 'Tour for Success' series---Entrepreneur Russell Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications, has joined forces with Global Diversity Group, Inc. and Volvo Cars of North America to bring the "Global Diversity Group Business Exchange: 2003 Tour for Success" to emerging minority entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country. Now in its second year, the ten-city tour will come to Atlanta on August 20, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA. Global Diversity Group will be hosting free interactive seminars from 9:00 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., focusing on key business issues and trends. Keynote speaker Mr. Tony Brown, President & CEO of Tony Brown Productions, Inc. and the host of PBS's "Tony Brown's Journal," will be speaking at the 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Partnership for Progress Luncheon. The highlight of the day will be "Success Stories" featuring Mr. Russell Simmons from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., which is free to the public. A VIP reception from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. will conclude the event with live music, terrific food, great networking opportunities and Mr. Simmons. The event is free with the exception of the Partnership for Progress Lunch and the VIP Reception. To register for this event, send an email to zona@globaldiversitygroup.com.

---Upcoming conferences demonstrate the impact of minority spending---
Philadelphia will welcome three conventions throughout the months of August and September including the National Medical Association, the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also known as the Shriners, and the National Black MBAs. The National Medical Association (NMA) will host its annual convention August 2nd - August 7th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center convening more than 5,000 attendees for the nation's largest and most renowned scientific assembly on health issues affecting African Americans and underserved populations. The Shriners will also hold its annual convention in Philadelphia. Scheduled August 17th - August 24th, the meeting draws approximately 15,000 attendees of the more than 35,000 members that make up the worldwide fraternal Shrine family. The Shriners represents $14,477,063 in economic impact and 30,500 room nights, with 5,000 on peak night. The National Black MBAs, a professional organization made up of nearly 6,000 members, will hold their 25th annual conference September 23rd - September 28th, also at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Themed "Changing the Course of Your Future," the meeting attracts nearly 4,000 executives, entrepreneurs, students and political leaders with presentations from key business leaders and a career fair featuring representatives from more than 300 schools, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. The National Black MBAs attracts $9,472,335 and 12,270 room nights, 3,600 on peak night.

---New England minority business to take steps to do more business in Africa----The Annual New England Minority Enterprise Development celebration will be held on Monday, September 8, 2003. This year, Dr. Abdul Quader Shaikh, Regional Coordinator for Africa in the U. S. Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center in Washington, D.C. and Mr. Samuel D. Smoots, Regional Business Development Manager for Sub Saharan Africa for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will be conducting a workshop and meeting personally with minority entrepreneurs who are attendees at the event, who are seeking to do business in Africa. The meetings will take place by appointment immediately after the workshop, which follows the luncheon. To register for this event, contact R.K (Shelley) Schwartz via Phone: (617) 565-6850 or send email: rkschwartz@mbda.gov.

---Republican National Committee hosts minority candidate training seminar in New York---During its summer meeting in New York City, the Republican National Committee (RNC) continued its unprecedented effort to recruit more minority candidates nationwide, holding the third of its minority candidate training seminars. The first two seminars were held in Philadelphia and Las Vegas. RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie said, "For the first time in our Party's history, Black Republicans occupy the offices of Lieutenant Governor in Maryland and Ohio. The RNC provided an unprecedented amount of resources to more than 140 African American and Hispanic candidates last election cycle. We are encouraged by their enthusiasm and pledge our continued support to their efforts." The Republican Mayor of Hempstead New York, James A. Garner, participated in the seminar. Currently, Garner serves as the first African American elected as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. To date, over 25 potential African American, Asian American and Hispanic candidates have participated in the program. The next minority candidate training seminar will be held next month in Michigan.

---Film festival honors Jack Palance, Billy Dee Williams and DMX----
On August 13, 2003 Black and White Enterprises will launch its first Annual Pocono Mountains Film Festival was founded by author Bridget Davis to provide an international market for independent filmmakers. Pocono Mountains Film Festival will honor Jack Palance, Billy Dee Williams, and DMX with the first induction into the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

---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.

###