---Hispanic Index---
Investment bank Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc. announces the offering of the Ramirez Hispanic Index Equally-Weighted Portfolio, which holds companies represented in the firm's new Hispanic Index. Structured as a unit investment trust (UIT), the Portfolio seeks to maximize total return for investors through exposure to the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic market.The Portfolio consists of the ten largest and most liquid publicly-traded Hispanic companies in the United States and Puerto Rico, based on market cap and average trading volume. The Ramirez & Co. Hispanic Index, which the firm just launched in December 2003, is one of the first benchmarks to track the U.S. Hispanic market. Ramirez defines Hispanic companies as those with more than 51 percent Hispanic ownership and/or customers.The Portfolio is a unit investment trust with an estimated life of 15 months. A UIT can be purchased like a mutual fund, but does not actively trade its portfolio. Instead, it buys a relatively fixed portfolio of securities and holds them over the life of the UIT. Upon termination of the trust, investors can choose to liquidate their units at the current net asset value or invest their funds in a subsequent series of the trust, if available. The Portfolio, available for purchase as of February 11, 2004, has a three- month investment period, with a minimum investment of $1,000."The Portfolio provides the opportunity to invest in the growth of the U.S. Hispanic market," said Ramirez Senior Vice President Samuel A. Ramirez, Jr. For the first time, Hispanics represent the largest minority group in the United States with 37.4 million people comprising 13.3 percent of the U.S. population. Hispanics' purchasing power grew to a record $530 billion in 2002 and is forecast to eclipse the $1 trillion level by 2010, according to Global Insight, Inc.

---Jewelry today---
In a breakthrough venture for both the jewelry industry and the hip-hop community, M. Fabrikant & Sons, one of the worlds largest distributors of polished diamonds and jewelry, has teamed up with hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons and designer Kimora Lee Simmons, creative director of Baby Phat, to form a joint venture partnership called The Simmons Jewelry Company. The Simmons Jewelry Co. will develop innovative lines of fine jewelry and watches under the Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Def Jam, Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons brands. These lines will be designed by both Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons, as well as an experienced, talented group of merchandisers. The collection will include a "red carpet" couture line, which features a signature cut diamond designed by Ms. Simmons. The Company will also launch a line of moderately priced jewelry for the 2004 Holiday season. A preview of selected pieces was featured at Kimora Lee Simmons's Baby Phat show during New York Fashion Week.

---National Hispanic Corporate Council---
Carlos Pagoaga has recently been named the Chair of the National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC). Pagoaga, the manager of Hispanic Community Relations at The Coca-Cola Company is responsible for enhancing relationships with the Hispanic community on a national and local level while maintaining associations with Hispanic non-profit organizations. Pagoaga also serves as the Chairman of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Latin American Association's Latin Fever Guild. The National Hispanic Corporate Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving its member companies as a principal resource for information, expertise and counsel about Hispanic issues affecting, corporate objectives, and to advocate for increased employment, leadership and business opportunities for Hispanics in corporate America.

---New leader of United Negro College Fund---
The United Negro College Fund has announced that Michael L. Lomax will become the new President and Chief Executive of the organization, thus succeeding William H. Gray III. Lomax, 56, now president of Dillard University, and a UNCF member institution in New Orleans, will begin his new role , starting June 1.

---Career: Nursing---
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced yesterday that registered nurses top the list of the 10 occupations with the largest projected job growth in the years 2002-2012. Although RNs have listed among the top 10 growth occupations in the past, this is the first time in recent history that RNs have ranked first. These 10-year projections are widely used in career guidance, in planning education and training programs and in studying long-range employment trends. According to the BLS report, there will be more than 2.9 million RNs employed in the year 2012, up 623,000 from the nearly 2.3 million RNs employed in 2002. However, the total job openings, which include both job growth and the net replacement of nurses will be more than 1.1 million.

---Delta Sigma Theta---
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones acknowledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated during the Ways and Means Hearing on the Bush Administrations budget. Members of the sorority came to Washington, D.C. for their annual legislative conference, Delta Days on Capitol Hill. The National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., instituted this program in 1989. This event is an annual two-day activity, which is held in the spring on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It is designed to foster expanded involvement of chapters and members in public and social policy issues. Among the many activities of Delta Days are legislative briefings on legislative issues which impact the African-American community, skill development sessions and legislative visits with members of Congress. Participants come from all geographical areas of the country to participate in this event.

---What's Keeping You From Being Fit and Fabulous in '04?---
"I'm too tired." "I don't have time." "I can't find a babysitter." Sound familiar? As we ease into Spring, sistas have a few challenges when it comes to health and fitness. Right now, nearly 70 percent of African American women are overweight or obese. And a recent survey by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) found that 92 percent of Black women do not work out regularly. It's time to make a change and get serious about improving your health. Regular physical activity not only helps you feel great, but will energize you. It may be hard to stick to the routine at first, but once you begin to exercise regularly, you'll realize the pros far outweigh your initial reasons for not being active. If time is a factor, try doing 10 minutes of physical activity three times a day, or planning activities that get your family moving like a softball game, biking or a walk through the zoo. If you don't like to exercise alone, bring friends together to walk, jog, or bike; take a class together at a nearby community or fitness center. Add a little flavor to healthier foods by using herbs, spices, lemon, lime or vinegar. For baked potatoes, add salsa, low-fat sour cream or garlic for a different twist and for the old standard-collard greens-cook with onions, garlic, chicken broth or smoked turkey, turkey bacon or turkey ham. With a little know-how, fast food can be a part of a healthy weight-loss program. Choose salads and grilled foods instead of fried foods, which are high in fat and calories, and only use high-fat, high-calorie toppings in small amounts. Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better is a program that encourages Black women to maintain healthier lifestyles by becoming more active and eating healthy foods. For more health tips, you may order free copies of Sisters Together publications by visiting www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm or calling 1-877-946-4627.

---Job Opportunity: Human Resources Business Partner - Bentley College - Waltham, MA---Working with departmental managers in anticipation of vacancies, you will assist in managing the recruitment process. In addition to placing ads, generating candidate pools, and evaluating resumes, you will conduct interviews, check references, and guide managers in salary offers and the selection process. This will involve communicating effectively with all levels of the organization as well as collaborating with the Senior HR Business Partner and the Director of HR Operations in evaluating positions and developing job descriptions. Experience in policy interpretation and employee relations is required. You will also handle any day-to-day employee relations issues and make sound judgments to resolve them. For full consideration, all candidates are required to submit a resume, cover letter, salary history and salary expectations. You may apply online at www.bentley.edu, or send your resume, referencing Job Code 30279, to: Human Resources, LaCava 225, Bentley College, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA 02452. Bentley is an Equal Opportunity Employer building strength through diversity. For the full job description, click here.

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