---“Race matters in the university of the 21st century”---The proceedings of a major national conference on race in the academy organized by Dartmouth College have been published and are now available in electronic form. The purpose of the conference was to examine, through case studies, issues associated with race and academic freedom, diversity and curriculum change, and the status of ethnic studies programs within universities. The Dartmouth Committee on Race in the Academy, a faculty group, organized the conference as the first in a planned series of events. "The three case studies addressed by expert panelists drew on research conducted by them and other scholars who have been instrumental in bringing about dramatic change," said Professor George Langford of Dartmouth. "Panelists pointed to the ‘invisible privileges’ of whiteness that remain as obstacles to true institutional transformation. The system of curriculum reform and renewal is slow to respond to the needs of today's students, and the questioning of minority scholarship can sometimes be portrayed as individual differences of opinion rather than as issues of academic freedom." The report of the proceedings calls for a national debate on what it terms “the still unfinished business” of race matters in academia, particularly in the process of faculty appointments, curriculum change and the positioning of minority and ethnic studies programs. Conference speakers included Cornel West (Princeton University), and others. For a copy of the report, call (603) 646-3661 or send an email to Laura.R.Stavis@dartmouth.edu.

---Diversity expert releases new book: “Inclusion Starts With I”---The personal journey to inclusion can be as simple as following eight steps—but it’s not easy for most of us. And it’s increasingly difficult as conflicts rage around the world. Dr. Mary-Frances Winters, author and nationally recognized consultant on workplace and diversity issues, has just released “Inclusion Starts with I,” a montage of inspiring quotes and commentary. This new release invites readers to take a step back from business and world events to reconnect at a higher level of acceptance. Winters beautifully facilitates a process of personal reflection with an eclectic collection of wisdom. The book features quotes from people throughout history and around the globe who have contemplated diversity issues and our enduring inability to accept and value difference. Winters is president and founder of The Winters Group, Inc., a consulting firm offering an array of services in diversity consulting, organization development, adult education, and ethnic marketing. For more information or a copy of the book, contact Lisa Dumas via phone: 585-244-3119 or email: LDumas@wintersgroup.com.

---June unemployment rate for African Americans is nearly twice as high as the national average---The latest unemployment figures show African Americans continue to suffer the highest rate of joblessness in the country. According to a government report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11.8 percent of African Americans were unemployed in June almost double the overall unemployment rate of 6.4 percent. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said "An unemployment rate of 11.8 percent is terrible news for African American people. Too many hardworking people are looking for work, and President Bush and the Republican Congress continue to look the other way.” Congressional Black Caucus chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) calls the unemployment situation unacceptable, "African American families are finding it harder to make ends meet. Our people and our great country are suffering because of the Administration's economic policies.” Pelosi added: “In the last three months alone, the number of unemployed Americans has increased by 913,000. That brings the total unemployed to 9.4 million."

---Congressional Black Caucus on Liberia---On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), Ranking Member on the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, recently released a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell concerning the humanitarian crisis in Liberia. Here is an excerpt from that letter: “As I write this letter, the people of Liberia are struggling for mere survival. Last week's fighting resulted in over 500 civilian deaths in Monrovia's streets as LURD and MODEL have gotten closer and closer to the center of the capitol. Also last week, as you are aware, the U.S. embassy was attacked and civilians are piling dead bodies in front of the U.S. property in demonstration of their desperate call for our help. I do not need to tell you of the long history between our country and Liberia. Even long after the establishment in 1820 of the country often referred to as the only American "colony" in Africa, the U.S. has enjoyed a close relationship with Liberia which has benefited us politically, militarily, economically, and tactically. In support of the U.S. position in World War II, the West African country allowed American troops to be stationed on its soil. Again, during the Cold War, Liberia was an important ally when it served as a leading U.S. base for intelligence activity against Moammar Gadhafi of Libya and other threats to the U.S. In 1991 when Liberia was in the midst of the civil war, we were asked to intervene. However, one reason given for us not to become involved was because of our activities in the first Persian Gulf War. Now we cannot afford to fail Liberia again. Mr. Secretary, I urge you to apply your influence on the U.S. Administration to convince them to come to the assistance of Liberia.”

---Mosaica, new national diversity directory seeks top diverse web sites---Mosaica, the newly launched business to business, national directory for cultural communicators (public relations, advertising, marketing professionals and agencies) and other supporting industry resources (diversity/HR practitioners, journalists, corporations, diverse businesses, and cultural/professional groups), wants to know your choices for the best web sites for Black/African Americans/Caribbeans, Hispanics/ Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and other multicultural/diversity-focused sources. The list of sites will be shared in the directory. Let us hear your voice….Send your top web site picks to: editors@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659.

---Caricom Day in New York---
For the second consecutive year, The Caribbean Voice newspaper will celebrate Caricom Day on July 26 with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Brooklyn YWCA Hall, located at 30 Atlantic Avenue. As Caricom celebrates its 30th year of existence, the Caribbean Voice Newspaper will mark the event by honoring twenty pioneering Caribbean business persons and professionals residing in the United States and Canada.

---Miss Black USA Pageant---
The Miss Black USA Pageant will be held August 18-23 in Miami, Florida. Scheduled activities include talent preliminaries, a yacht party on August 21st at the Radisson Miami (Host Hotel) at 1601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL, and a golf tournament at the Biltmore Hills Course in Coral Gables Florida. On Saturday, August 23, 2003, there will be the “State of the Black Woman” address and the televised Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant beginning at 8 pm.

---Job Opportunity: Hardware/Software Support Specialist at Bentley College, the “Business School for the Information Age”---As technology's true north on the information landscape, Bentley's state-of-the-art facilities merge seamlessly with a culture rooted in tradition. Visit our 163-acre campus west of Boston and see how the dedicated and dynamic people of our faculty and staff continue to build the "Business School for the Information Age". Hardware/Software Support Specialist , Interfacing with vendors on project support, parts procurement and other hardware maintenance services, you will be responsible for warranty and non-warranty hardware repairs of notebook computers for students and faculty/staff. In addition to handling software support and troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software conflicts, you will supervise several student workers and train them in troubleshooting techniques for both notebooks and lab computers. Requirements: A+ certification is required; a bachelor's degree is preferred. Your knowledge of Windows 2000 and XP Professional, Microsoft Office XP and local area networking should also include solid troubleshooting skills. Excellent organizational and interpersonal abilities are essential. Experience in the repair of notebook computers is strongly recommended. Your hours will be Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm and Friday from 9am-5pm during the academic year, and Monday-Thursday from 8am-5:30pm in the summer. Bentley College offers an outstanding benefits package and a work environment that is both personable and professional. TO APPLY, PLEASE REFER TO JOB CODE R31003. You may submit your resume online at www.bentley.edu, or send application materials to: Human Resources, LaCava 225, Bentley College, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA 02452. Bentley College is committed to diversity, equal opportunity and the support of education through neighborhood scholarship programs.

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