Check out on www.UnityFirst.com
--The new book by Elaine Brown, "The Condemnation of Little B: New Age Racism in America." Elaine Brown is the former chairman of the Black Panther Party
---UnityFirst.com introduces La Unidad Primero---
UnityFirst.com is now publishing its headliners in Spanish via a new section, La Unidad Primero. The section, which will appear on Tuesdays, will give readers a glimpse of the news on UnityFirst.com. As desired, select articles and press releases will also be translated. UnityFirst.com recognizes and celebrates the diversity of its readership and looks forward to La Unidad Primero.
--See the new book: An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King, by William Pepper, who documents the full account of the revelations from the 1999 trial in Memphis, testimony gathered since the trial and names the shooter.. On February 5, 2003. Pepper will receive a resolution of appreciation from the Boston City Council.

---African American women business owners seek financing for businesses---
The number of African American women business owners with bank credit of $100,000 or more doubled between 1998 and 2002 according to Wells Fargo's latest research collaboration with Center for Women's Business Research. Wells Fargo, the nation's #1 lender to small businesses, sponsored the report, "African American Women Business Owners in the United States," one segment of a multi-cultural study to understand the unique needs of women business owners of all ethnic groups. "The Center has shown that the number of African American women-owned businesses increased by 17% between 1997 and 2002, more than double the rate of all businesses," said Brenda Ross Dulan, Market President, Los Angeles Metro Region and National Spokesperson for Wells Fargo's African American Business Services program. The study has also shown that:
1) African American women, more than other women business owners, anticipate having an additional need for business financing in the coming year.
2) A much greater percentage of African American women business owners when compared to any other ethnicity surveyed -- say they did not borrow capital to start their firms.
Nearly half of African American women business owners say they have encountered obstacles when trying to obtain financing for their firms, more so than women business owners of other ethnicities surveyed.

---Minority businesses are growing six times faster than non-minority firms---
Research from the Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce suggests that minority businesses have little access to capital and few chances of bidding for and winning significant contracts from large firms. Despite these challenges, minority businesses are growing six times faster than non-minority firms, according to the Bureau of Census. In 1997, more than three million minority-owned businesses were identified; 84,000 of these businesses posted annual revenues in excess of $1 million and employed more than 50 percent of their 4.5-million workforce. The minority population is the fastest-growing segment of the nation's population, with a buying potential projected at $1.5 trillion.

---Minority Business Roundtable research to collect data on minority businesses---The Minority Business Roundtable (MBRT), a national membership organization for chief executive officers (CEOs) of African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Native-American and other minority-owned top-tier businesses, announced it will undertake a research project to collect, analyze and evaluate data on minority business growth in the United States. The MBRT -- whose members represent a variety of trades and industries -- will use the research project's data to advise government agencies on policies that affect minority businesses. To date, no large-scale mechanism exists to track the growth of these businesses. Utilizing data from the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Dunn and Bradstreet and other organizations, the MBRT will create a database of minority businesses.

---Jewel Diamond Taylor is now on UnityFirst.com's Speakers Bureau---
Is your organization seeking a keynote speaker, workshop teacher, women's day presenter for your church, retreat facilitator or a teleclass facilitator? International motivational/inspirational speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor is a native of Washington D C now residing in southern California appropriately referred to as "The Minister of Motivation" and the "Self-Esteem Dr." Check her out on the UnityFirst.com Speakers Bureau….don't miss her wonderful presentations and teleclasses.

---Summit on Leading Diversity to hold annual community reception, "Making Connections"---"Making Connections: Success Strategies for Outreach to Diverse Communities," is a national annual reception sponsored by Linkage's Summit on Leading Diversity, one of the nation's leading conferences on diversity, and African American Newswire/UnityFirst.com, one of the leading online sources for diverse news. The March 26, 2003 reception, which will be held during the four-day Summit on Leading Diversity ( March 24-27, 2003) in Atlanta, GA, will focus on sharing best practice diversity outreach and strategic philanthropic efforts as well as building powerful partnerships between corporations and community/nonprofit organizations. "Making Connections" provides an opportunity to connect with community, media, business and social resources interested in developing partnerships designed to focus on diversity. The reception will include a panel presentation of thought-leaders, corporate organizations and nonprofit groups. To register your organization for the reception, contact Janine Fondon at 1-800-286-3659 or send an email message to jfondon@unityfirst.com.

---Colleges attract more minority students by hiring more minority professors-A survey of business school deans at more than 100 U.S. colleges and universities reveals that hiring minority professors is the key to attracting minority students. Asked to report on their experience since hiring minority professors, 79.8% of business schools deans say hiring minority professors has helped them attract more minority students. The PhD Project, a multi-million dollar corporate and academic-led effort to increase minority representation among business professors, conducted the survey. Other results from the survey include:
1) 91.4% report that minority professors positively impact the education of minority students
2) 87.5% say that minority professors are having a positive impact on career mentoring for minority students
3) 73.3% reported that minority professors are positively impacting the attitudes of non-minority faculty toward minority students and minority issues
4) 69.9% say that students, regardless of race, who have taken a class from a minority professor, will be better prepared for a business career.

---Cracker Barrel Old Country Store sets events for Black History Month---
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is honored to sponsor several events during Black History Month. As a company that recognizes the strength of diversity, Cracker Barrel has pledged its corporate support to promoting the many contributions African Americans have made. Cracker Barrel is also seeking essays that answer the question: "What does black History month mean to you?" The first 50 entries will win complimentary meals at Cracker Barrel. For a list of their events, check out their press release posted on UnityFirst.com's African American Newswire or send an email to jim.taylor@crackerbarrel.com.

----Henry Louis Gates, Jr. celebrates Black History with radio series saluting women---Moments to Remember, an award-winning public radio series that celebrates Black History throughout the year is returning for a second year, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2003, the series begins with "Black Women: Great Moments in History." What did they contribute to American history? Why are they significant today? Each segment provides answers to these questions and more by profiling the achievements of 30 black women-past to present. Over 100 public radio stations nationwide currently air Moments to Remember. The radio show is also featured on the Africana.com website. This first of its kind public radio series features stories about legendary women, such as Madame C.J. Walker (1867-1919), the first female millionaire, Lucy Terry Prince (1730-1821), the first slave to argue a case before the Supreme Court and contemporary writer Maya Angelou, the first woman to produce a screenplay. Unknown heroines have also played a vital role in American history like Mary Fields (1832-1914) the first female stagecoach driver for the postal service and Susan King Taylor (1842-1912) the first army nurse. Behind these women's stories are countless other women, whose untold contributions are the foundation upon which we all stand. Moments to Remember was created by Executive Producer Donna Limerick. Check local public radio station listings for air times.

---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.

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