---Celebrate Black History Month 2002---
February 1, 2002 marked the 100th anniversary of Langston Hughes' birth. Celebrate this landmark event -- and Black History Month - by encouraging your children to read, "Visiting Langston", a book written by Willie Perdomo, who was raised just eight blocks away from Langston Hughes' home in Harlem, New York. Shown in the photo are Willie Perdomo (left) and the book’s illustrator, Bryan Collier (right).

---Black History Month---
In tribute to Black History Month, here is an excerpt from a joint statement by Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe and DNC Black Caucus Chair Yvonne Atkinson Gates: "On this the first day of Black History Month, we can think of no better way to honor the tremendous contributions of African Americans to our nation than to build on that noble history and recommit ourselves to furthering the dreams conceived by previous generations. It is the lessons that we learn from history that guide us on the path to the future, inspiring us to greater achievements and strengthening us in the face of challenges."

---Portraits in pride---
ABC Radio Networks commemorates Black History Month with its annual series "Portraits In Pride," 20 one-minute profiles of prominent African-Americans of extraordinary accomplishment in the areas of statesmanship, entertainment and sports. The 2002 series of "Portraits In Pride" is available to all ABC radio affiliates and is anchored by ABC News correspondent Carole Simpson.

---Minister Farrakhan calls for release of American journalist---
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan called for the release of Mr. Daniel Pearl, believed to be held in Pakistan. I wish to offer my sincere prayers and best wishes to my Muslim brothers and their families. May Allah grant you mercy and right guidance in this hour of great trial. I urge the immediate release and safe return of Mr. Daniel Pearl. His release may serve the greater good and promote meaningful dialogue with the American people and government. Muslims are known for their compassion and mercy for the human family. Allah (God) revealed the Quran to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to serve as a guide in every aspect of human endeavor. Allah teaches and instructs us in the handling of prisoners of war. Allah teaches and instructs us in the handling and treatment of non-combatants. Mr. Daniel Pearl, a journalist, is not a combatant, and should be released. Our religion, Islam, is under trial. The world is watching. To execute or murder this man will increase hatred for Islam and damage the reputation of Muslims throughout the world. I must also urge the American Government to grant P.O.W. status to those captured during a declared war. Once again, I implore America to re-examine her foreign policy toward Africa, the Middle East, and other vulnerable nations. The United States is the only remaining super power, by Allah's (God's) permission. America must do more to reassure the family of nations of her determination to promote justice and fair play. The nations of the Earth will follow America's leadership in establishing a century of security, prosperity and peace for all.

---Back to the vote---
The TruVote Voter Validation and Verification System, invented by African-American inventor Athan Gibbs, Sr., has won the enthusiastic support of the National Conference of Black State Legislators (NCBSL) at its November 2001 meeting and from the World Conference of Mayors at its recent meeting in Atlanta, Ga. Being heralded across America as the next generation voting system, TruVote has won the praise of such notables as John Seigenthaler, a member of the Federal Election Reform Commission (headed by former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford); Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, chairperson of the congressional Black Caucus; Larry English of Data Management Review; Maynard Jackson, chairperson of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute, Congressman Bob Clement, a number of secretaries of state, state legislators and county election officials. For more information, send email to: TruVote@Aol.com.

---Disaster relief fund for victims of Congo volcano---
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has announced the creation of a special disaster relief fund to provide humanitarian aid for victims of the volcanic eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The fund will also help local human rights groups rebuild their work of reconciliation and peace in the longer-term for the citizens of the Congo. According to UUSC's longtime program partner in the DRC, Immaculée Birhaheka, the devastation caused by the volcano is unimaginable, even for this war-torn country. Rivers of lava 200 feet wide flowed through the city of Goma in the eastern region of the DRC when the 11,380-foot volcano, Mt. Nyiragongo erupted on January 17. The lava and fires from the volcano destroyed dozens of communities. There are no hospitals, gas fires rage, and families continue to sleep in the woods and fields. She says that international aid is needed now more than ever. More than a quarter of million people are homeless, and clean water, food and basic toiletries remain unavailable to many more than two weeks after the natural disaster.

---Save the dates---
Los Angeles: July 25 - 31, 2002 - National Urban League 2002 Annual Conference scheduled for Los Angeles, California. at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The theme for this year's conference is Opportunity + Equality = One America. For registration information for the National Urban League 2002 Annual Conference, call 212-558-5385, or send email to: urbanleagueconference@nul.org. For exhibitor information, call 212-558-5381.

Los Angeles: February 1-24, 2002---
Towne Street Theatre (TST) in association with The Raven Playhouse presents "The Start of Conversation," a Black History Month presentation of seven one-act plays by TST member Stan Sellers, at the Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, February 1-24, 2002. These slice of life comedies present a broad perspective of contemporary society. For more information, contact Nancy Cheryll Davis - Bellamy, (213) 624-4796, info@townestreet.org.

Savannah, Georgia: February 15-17, 2002
A Black Business Professionals and Entrepreneurs Conference will feature over 40 workshops and networking opportunities. For more information, go to www. Allabout bbpe.com.

---Augusta, GA: February 6, 2002--
Frederick Douglass, IV, and his Wife, B.J., will lecture about and dramatize the lives of his great-great-grandparents at Paine College in Augusta, GA. Frederick Douglass, IV, the great-great grandson of the famed orator, author, editor and statesman who was born a slave in Maryland, will lecture about and dramatize the lives of his great-great grandparents: The event will be held on February 6, 2002. Douglass IV will be accompanied by his wife, B.J., vocalist and actress, who portrays Anna Murray Douglass as an intelligent woman, despite contrary interpretations of her by most historians. The presentation will involve reenactments of Douglass' speeches and incidents from his life interwoven with A Cappella renditions of gospel and patriotic songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic"; "Steal Away"; "Wade in the Water"; and "Order My Steps." Working diligently to perpetuate the memory of his great-great grandfather alive, Douglass maintains an extensive speaking calendar. For more information, send email to madisonaveimages@aol.com.

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