---EBONY: Barack Obama named Person of the Year---
The January 2009 issue of Ebony magazine hits stands on December 9 and features an exclusive interview with “Mr. President” Barack Obama. The interview is the centerpiece of this special collector’s edition, which chronicles the rise of Barack Obama to one of the most powerful positions in the world. Obama said during the interview, “We won because the American people mobilized for change. We had a great campaign, great volunteers, great staff. But it really was people at a grassroots level who carried our campaign financially, who carried it organizationally, and we don’t want that to dissipate.”

MLK Memorial site

Nancy Pelosi

Business World Index

---Civil rights pioneers visit MLK National Memorial---
Civil rights pioneers recently gathered in Washington, DC for a briefing about the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and a tour of the Memorial site. Shown in the photo ( left to right) are:  Reverend Samuel Billy Kyles, Reverend William Lawson, Rose Sanders, Dr. Clayborne Carson, Clarence Jones, Xernona Clayton, Reverend Otis Moss, Jr., Dolores Huerta, Reverend Amos Brown, and Reverend Al Sampson. They shared personal stories about Dr. King, learned about the Memorial’s design and construction status, and vowed to support the Memorial.  Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., urged the civil rights pioneers to share their involvement with the civil rights movement and to serve as ambassadors for the Memorial Foundation.  “We were excited and enthused to have the civil rights pioneers visit the site and learn of its many elements,” stated Johnson. Photo credit: Gediyon Kifle

--New York Noir: The History of  Black New York---
With African-American culture, history and pride being celebrated as never before, it is important to remember the remarkable story of struggle and triumph that led to this global victory. Examining the history of New York’s African-American citizens and culture from the early 1600s through today and its impact on the world is the critically acclaimed film New York Noir: The History of Black New York, coming to DVD Jan. 6 from Little Dizzy Home Video. African-Americans lived in New York City long before the arrival of the British, Irish and Italians or anyone Jewish or Catholic. Their contributions as both slaves and free men and women were integral to the rise of one of the world’s greatest cities.  The areas now known as China Town, Little Italy and Greenwich Village were once called the “Negro Frontier.”  Yet Blacks were the last to become full citizens.  New York Noir: The History of Black New York features rare historical footage and segments on civil rights, politics, business, military heroes and entertainment. This film honors and pays tribute to the many stellar contributions African-Americans have made to New York, the nation and, indeed, the world—including Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and Colin Powell, among many others.

---World AIDS Day ----
Here is an excerpt from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s remarks in recognition of World AIDS Day: “This year marks 20 years since the first World AIDS Day was commemorated to raise awareness and move the nations of the world to act.  Although it took far too long, the world is finally rising to the challenge.  Since 2002, international HIV/AIDS assistance has increased nearly five-fold.  As a result, the number of people in developing countries receiving antiretroviral medications has increased ten times to more than 3 million.  Increased access to treatment is already saving lives, with the number of AIDS deaths beginning to decline in 2005 after decades of increases. Despite this progress, the scope of the challenges ahead is enormous.  More than 33 million people are still living with HIV and AIDS, and more than 7,000 new infections occur every day.  Among African American women, the disease has become so rampant that it is this group's leading cause of death between the ages of 25 and 34.  This year’s theme for World AIDS Day, ‘Lead – Empower – Deliver,’ emphasizes the need for global leadership to address these challenges.  During the 110th Congress, we have successfully increased funding for global AIDS initiatives by $1.8 billion, bringing total funding to $5 billion, with an additional $500 million increase pending for fiscal year 2009. As we begin a new era of leadership in the United States, we renew our commitment to working together with all nations to answer today’s call for renewed leadership in the effort to combat, and eventually end, HIV/AIDS.”

----John Legend says “you have to keep proving yourself”---
The multi-talented singer, pianist and songwriter John Legend knows what it takes to stay on top in today’s music industry, and that’s quite evident with the release of his new CD, "Evolver." The five-time Grammy Award-winner sat down with Jet magazine during his current tour to talk about how this new project is a “shift” from his usual sound. “You have to keep proving yourself,” he says. “The fans and people can decide they are done with you at any time.”  John Legend is featured in the JET magazine to hit stands nationwide on December 8.