----Hispanics and cultural identity---
The AOL Time Warner Foundation and PEOPLE En Espanol announced the results of their joint national Hispanic Opinion Tracker Study, one of the largest national surveys ever comparing views of Hispanics and non-Hispanics. The study shows that Hispanics continue to embrace their own families, heritage and identity as they become an increasing force in American life. Overall, the survey found 95% of Hispanic respondents backing bilingual education, even as two states consider ballot initiatives this year to curtail the practice. 69% of Hispanics said they speak Spanish at home, and 62% said they prefer speaking Spanish to English. At the same time, Hispanic respondents were focused on routes to success in America, and view education as critical. 87% said "Education is the key to my child's success," and 64% said that they "wish they could have stayed in school longer" compared to 31% of non-Hispanics. The survey's responses on national issues also showed disparities. Overall, it found Hispanics continuing to identify themselves largely as Democrats, 53% vs. 17% Republican. In addition, there are anywhere from 25 to 50 point gaps between Hispanics and Non-Hispanics on key national issues. The study found that 67% of Hispanic respondents said they preferred to be identified as "Hispanic, Hispanic-American, or Hispano/a," rather than Latino/a. Also, the study found that advertising in Spanish particularly drives positive responses from Hispanics: 52% of Hispanics responded that they preferred advertising in Spanish. At the same time that Hispanics are striving for their children and believe in the opportunities that America has to offer, real obstacles for achieving success remain. Average income for Hispanics in the study was 38% less than non-Hispanics ($34,942 vs. $55,949). 57% of Hispanic respondents said they have health insurance, versus 86% of non-Hispanics.

---Residential segregation---
African-Americans experienced modest but consistent declines in residential segregation from 1980 to 2000, according to a two-year analysis of census data by the U.S. Census Bureau. The study found that segregation patterns were mixed for Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives. Despite the declines, African-Americans remained the most highly segregated group. "This is one of the most exhaustive studies of residential segregation ever undertaken," said Daniel H. Weinberg, co-author with John Iceland of the report, Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation in the United States: 1980-2000. The authors said that residential segregation may result from a variety of factors, including choices people make about where they want to live, restrictions on their choices or lack of information.

---Boston: Remembering Archie Williams---
On November 28, Boston's minority business community experienced a tragic loss. Archie Williams, President of Roxbury Technology, passed suddenly of natural causes. Archie will be greatly missed by all. He was one of the pioneers of the minority business community in Boston and for that, a great many people owe him many thanks. Archie is survived by his wife Norma Williams, two sisters, Van Davis and Dorothy Meeks, and two daughters Donna Williams and Beth Williams. The wake and funeral services will be held on Tuesday December 3, 2002 beginning at 10:00am at St. Mark's Congregational Church in Roxbury. The family will be receiving visitors at The Franklin Park Golf Course Club House in Jamaica Plain, MA immediately following the interment.

---Washington, D.C.: Black Nativity---
Cramton Auditorium and Jonathan G. Willen & Associates Inc., present the gospel musical BLACK NATIVITY starring gifted singer, songwriter Tony Terry as part of Cramton Auditorium's Holiday Celebration. A sold-out hit for five consecutive seasons, BLACK NATIVITY will play in Cramton Auditorium on the campus of Howard University, December 12-15, 2002. Opening night is December 12, 2002 at 8:00p.m. BLACK NATIVITY combines noted Harlem Renaissance author Langston Hughes' Afro-centric retelling of the Nativity story with a concert surveying the history of gospel music-complete with cast members impersonating groups like the Five Blind Boys of Alabama and great singers like Mahalia Jackson. Mike Malone, a Helen Hayes Award-winning choreographer and coordinator of musical theatre at Howard University, directs the musical, which will again feature a cast of Washington performers as well as performing artist Tony Terry. For more information, contact Denise Saunders at (202) 806-7194.

---Minority-owned small businesses increasingly leveraging technology---More than half of minority-owned small businesses in Southern California are using the latest technology in their operations, but many are missing out on the benefits and efficiencies that technology can provide, according to a study released by Merrill Lynch and the Community Development Technologies Center. The study, Gaining the Tech Advantage, found that many small business owners avoid new technology because they are not familiar with it and in some instances fear it will make their service less personal. The study, funded by the Merrill Lynch Foundation, is based on in-depth interviews with more than 1,000 minority small business owners in Los Angeles and Orange counties -- an area that is considered a bellwether nationally for minority owned businesses. The study also urges efforts to improve usage of technology by retail businesses, which currently use technology and the Internet at relatively low rates.

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