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Bishop T.D. Jakes and MEGAFEST 2004

---Sears and the Executive Leadership Council to Help CEOs Explore Management of Workplace Diversity---The difference between what corporate CEOs say they want in workplace inclusion and what diverse employees and senior human resources executives feel they are actually getting will be explored in symposia to be held at Sears, Roebuck and Co. headquarters, Hoffman Estates, IL, August 3 and 4, 2004. Tuesday, August 3, What CEOs Must Know About Workplace Inclusion, offers Fortune 500 senior human resources, diversity, organizational development and training executives a glimpse into the thoughts of Fortune 500 CEOs who have attended CEO Diversity Summits offered by the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and General Electric Company since 2001. Wednesday, August 4, Power in the Workplace: Take Charge of Your Success! will examine workplace diversity from the viewpoint of African-American mid-level managers and offer career success strategies. The symposia addresses questions raised by CEOs who have asked ELC to help them develop better inclusion practices. Symposia will explore corporate diversity practices for inclusion, leadership strategies, and offer insights into how CEOs and senior executive teams responsible for workplace inclusion can become better aligned in managing the diverse workplace. ELC is the nation's premier organization of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. For registration forms and information consult the ELC website at www.elcinfo.com or contact Joann Stevens, conference coordinator, at 202-298-8239.

---Remembering former President Reagan---
Following statement after the State Funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral for former President Ronald W. Reagan, U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD.), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said "Today, the leadership of entire government of the United States, world leaders and our fellow citizens gathered in Washington to pay their final respects to former President Ronald Wilson Reagan. I was privileged to join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, and my colleagues in the United States Congress, at this solemn and moving ceremony. While President Reagan did not always agree with the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus on issues of public policy, he was not a disagreeable man. His positive approach and demeanor was good for America, and we thank President Reagan for his service to his country.

---WHY AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE NOT ACHIEVING---
In her recently published book on why African American children are not learning and achieving in public and private school systems, Dr. Kay Lovelace Taylor agrees with entertainer Bill Cosby that African American parents must assume some responsibility. Cosby's remarks at the May 17 celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education at the Constitution Hall in Washington, DC ignited a nationwide controversy. Cosby, who has earned a doctorate degree, was especially critical of African American parents for not taking full responsibility in raising their children. In her book, Through Their Eyes--A Strategic Response to the National Achievement Gap, Dr. Taylor, who has an extensive background as an educator and administrator in public education, devotes a chapter to an analysis of the role and responsibilities of African American parents in the educational growth and development of children. Dr. Taylor writes that her research and findings indicate that although parent responsibilities are critical to eliminating the achievement gap, student behaviors, teacher behaviors, school culture, and community/environment/streets are also necessary components and need to be understood and changed in order for the achievement gap to be closed. "To close the achievement gap, you have to change the perceptions people have concerning children of color and poverty. These perceptions are dangerous because they are based on long held beliefs that in many cases have no factual foundation." says Dr. Taylor. Two major points made by Dr. Taylor in her book are: 1. Race plays a significant role in how African American children are treated in public and private schools in suburban as well as urban areas. 2. Poverty is a condition a person finds himself or herself in; it is not the determining factor to be used to judge intellectual capacity. For more information on this book, or Dr. Taylor, send email to lovelacetaylor@aol.com.

---Program activities announced for Grand Boule Centennial Celebration, June 26-30---A gala 100th birthday celebration is planned for the Grand Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity in this City of Brotherly Love June 26-30 at the Marriott Hotel Downtown. As the first Greek fraternity established for African American men, Sigma Pi Phi has 112 member boules (chapters) throughout the United States and in Nassau, with a total membership of 4, 200.More than 900 members and their spouses are expected to attend the annual centennial celebration in June. According to Calvin O. Pressley, Grand Sire Archon (national president) of the fraternity, "An extraordinary array of national and international leaders will address the Grand Boule. The 100th anniversary celebration, while formal, is not all work." Pressley indicated that Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, will give a memorial address at the Sunday morning service; Vernon Jordan will be the keynote speaker at the opening session on Monday, and Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express, will give the lecture at the Youth Appreciation and Scholarship Luncheon .Former Philadelphia Mayor Rev. W. Wilson Goode will speak at a Social Action Forum and former U.S. Health and Human Service Secretary Louis Sullivan will be featured speaker at a Grand Boule Policy Forum. For more information, send an email to ofield@ofield.com.

---East Coast Support and Empowerment Club's Power Networking Intensive For Business Professionals and Community Leaders---
The East Coast Empowerment Club's (ECEC) Power Networking Intensive provides the setting for people of color to drop the social face and come together authentically, to support, empower and propel each other to greater success. Attendees from a wide variety of industries and experiences will share their expertise, the lessons that they have learned and formulas for success in business, in an environment of responsibility and unity. Managed by Bobbi Hicks & Associates, a business consulting practice, the next Power Networking Intensive will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Wyndham Hotel, (approx. 7 minutes from Newark Airport) in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The event will feature networking sessions throughout the day for people to share information on their projects and secure business opportunities. A partial listing of the roundtables includes: (1) Construction & Real Estate; (2) Healing & Empowering Young or Adult Women; (3) That's Entertainment; (4) The World of Fashion; (5) Special Events & Travel; and (6) The Business of Writing. For more information or to register, call (973) 275-5249.

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