---News from the Congressional Black Caucus---
U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) delivered the weekly CBC "Message to America" and reported on the Second Annual African American Leadership Summit held July 15. Here is an excerpt from her remarks: "The Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic members of the House and Senate hosted the African American Leadership Summit. Over 200 participants were present at the Summit, representing a variety of different professions and backgrounds including business leaders, ministers, mayors, state representatives, former cabinet officials, youth leaders and legal scholars. From these discussions have come suggestions and solutions for addressing these issues within the African American community. When President George W. Bush first came to office, he made a lot of promises. On January 31, 2001, President Bush had his first meeting with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus. The President said, 'This will be the beginning of hopefully, a lot of meetings. I hope you come back, and I'll certainly be inviting.' Over three years later, we are all still waiting on that second invitation. Over the past three years, we have seen the African American community and middle class America as a whole, left further and further behind by this Administration. Over 9 ½ million African Americans are now out of the labor force, an increase of over half a million from a year ago. In December 2000, the unemployment rate for African Americans was 7.3 percent. Today, the unemployment rate for African Americans is 10.1 percent."

---John Kerry and Juneteenth---
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman of the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, says that, "Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator John Kerry has one thing in common with Republican President George Bush, snubbing the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign". According to Myers, "Senator Kerry refuses to answer any questions regarding his position on Juneteenth becoming a National Holiday Observance. We are not asking for a paid federal holiday, but a National Holiday Observance, similar to Flag Day. Senator Kerry declined to participate in our National Juneteenth Press Luncheon at the National Press Club to discuss his views concerning Juneteenth and the legacy of slavery in America. Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige spoke at the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service. Secretary Paige became the historic first member of a Presidential cabinet to participate in the memorial service." Dr. Myers hopes Kerry will answer the following question: If elected President of the United States, will you issue a Presidential Proclamation to establish Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Holiday Observance in America?"

---CBC Chairman Elijah Cummings and the Democratic National Convention Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Elijah E. Cummings announced that he has been asked to speak at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. Congressman Cummings will speak on July 28, the third night of the convention. He says, "I look forward to addressing the delegates to our convention and all Americans about the critical issues at stake in this year's national elections. As we prepare for this Election Day, we should all recall Thomas Jefferson's insight that leaders in a democracy govern with the consent of the governed. We must ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted this year. November 2nd will be the most important day of 2004, both for our security and for the preservation of our fundamental civil liberties."

---Convention event to focus on race issues---
"The Changing Face of Boston: A Mirror of America," a major discussion on diversity issues to coincide with the Democratic National Convention is set for 9a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturday, July 24 at the JFK Library. The event, sponsored by KeySpan Energy, will anchor release of the Partnership Inc's 2004 Report on the State of Diversity in Boston. As part of the event, Congressman Harold Ford (D-Tennessee) will give a keynote address focusing on the dynamics of race in the local and national economy. Delegates, community leaders and public officials from across the country are expected to attend, including Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Convention Chairwoman Alice Huffman, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland), former Washington D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt, and Congressman John Lewis (D-Georgia)."Diversity is an issue of national importance that has special meaning here in Boston," said Benaree Wiley, President and CEO of The Partnership, the organization hosting the event.

---Unity First Special Report: Bill Cosby---
Bill Cosby's recent remarks have prompted a range of responses from communities across the U.S.
Responses ranged from "Voices of the upper class" to solutions such as 'Initiating a serious national discussion', to concerns that 'No other community would let this go on" and an urgent plea to "Speak the truth because some kids don't even know how to use utensils properly." Most people praised Bill for "Getting these issues out of the closet" while others wondered why he [Bill Cosby] raised the issues at this time, by saying that perhaps "Bill was having a bad day." Other responses also referenced that "Kids in church also have issues" and there is a need to set "high expectations" for our kids. Most people agreed that Bill Cosby's remarks were truly a "Wake-up call for the Black community." Click here to read the full responses.

---Harlem Book Fair- Saturday, July 24, 2004 ---
Maya Angelou, Lynn Whitfield, Phyliss Yvonne Stickney, Dr. Juanita Bynum of the Juanita Bynum Ministries, Andria Hall, Host of the Hallmark channel's Sunday morning program: America at Worship, Spike Lee, J.L. King, Ossie Davis, Michael Baisden, Michael Eric Dyson , Terry McMillan, Vickie Stringer, Valerie Boyd of Shekinah Records, Derrick Bell, Jawanza Kunjufu, Ellis Cose, Juan Williams, Ishmel Reed, 2004 McDonald's GospelFest Winners , A New Covenant, Quincy Troupe, Chinua Achebe, Maryse Conde, Nikki Turner, Zane, Patrik Henry Bass , Book Editor Essence Magazine and more than 40,000 attendees and over 200 African American Authors are expected to convene for the activities of the Harlem Book Fair. The 6th annual Harlem Book Fair will convene on Saturday, July 24, 2004, from 12 Noon to 7:00pm. This is a free community event. The Harlem Book Fair, will feature over 300 exhibit booths, four stages, celebrity authors, book selling, storytelling and a variety of musical entertainment that will run a two-block stretch on 135th street between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. The program of activities will also include an opportunity for attendees to be a part of the studio audience for the author panel discussions that will take place at the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture and air live on C-SPAN's Book TV. A total of 15 free author panel discussions will take place during the day and cover topics ranging from the state of affairs of the Black church to a host of other topics where authors will discuss every day life issues facing Black America. www.qbr.com/hbf2004/panels.htm This year the book fair will expand its base to include a Christian Book and Sound Stage Pavilion. Christian publishers, authors, gospels artists, groups and sponsors wishing to get involved with the Tour should contact Legacy Communications via email: legzpro@aol.com or call (718) 398-7334.

---Tour of Success presents Spike Lee, Tony Brown in Baltimore on July 29, 2004---The Business Exchange: 2004 Tour for Success presented by Volvo Cars of North America and produced by the Global Diversity Group travels to Baltimore for a July 29 event with Spike Lee and Tony Brown at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel. The Tour for Success brings free seminars, workshops and networking opportunities to emerging minority entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country. The event begins at 9 a.m. (registration opens at 8 a.m.) with free interactive workshops focusing on key business issues and trends including: "Winning at the Contract Game", "Marketing Your Way To Success" and "Gaining the Competitive Edge via Technology." There are also workshop tracks focusing on issues that concern mature businesses as well as Business Basics workshops for startups. The workshops, Success Story Session with Spike Lee and luncheon with Tony Brown are FREE and open to the public, but registration is required. Tickets are also available for the Economic Empowerment Networking Reception. If you would like to be a vendor at the event, send an email to: vendor@globaldiversitygroup.com . To register for the Tour of Success event, go to www.mpbnetwork.com or enter a drawing to win two free tickets to the Empowerment Networking Reception, send your name, address, phone and email to info@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659.

---Top books by African American authors---
What books by African American authors should be on a 'best books' resource list and recommended for people to read and purchase. Send UnityFirst.com your recommendations, including author, book title, and publisher to info@unityfirst.com. All readers are invited to submit their favorite books. Authors are encouraged to send an online press package referencing their books to info@unityfirst.com.

---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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