---Globalization prompts companies to broaden diversity---
Two out of three ranking U.S. companies have broadened their diversity programs because of increasing globalization, according to a survey of 1,780 human resource and training executives by Boston consulting firm Novations/J. Howard & Associates. Moreover, a majority of those that have not done so expects to update diversity efforts in the near future. "Diversity programs have evolved in the past few years, and a major influence has been the growing impact of globalization," said Mike Hyter, President and CEO of Novations/ J. Howard. "American-style diversity training, which has been typically been focused on race issues, just wasn't suitable for Latin America or Europe. Instead, multinational employers wanted and needed an integrated solution that would work organization-wide." U.S. programs were originally based on redressing past grievances, explained Hyter, whose firm has delivered diversity training overseas since the 1980s. "Early on, diversity meant meeting the needs of African-American employees or women, and then it moved to include Hispanics too. But these specific needs aren't so relevant in other regions of the world. In Latin America the issues are more social or economic and have to do with cultural conflict. In Northern Europe, on the other hand, the main challenge stems from permeable borders, immigration and increasing ethnic minorities. The specifics are different everywhere and it's hard to generalize." Hyter also says that the key is to have an approach to diversity and inclusion that is broad and meets not only the varied requirements of organizations in the U.S., but which also may be expanded to organizations overseas. With this approach as a basis, Novations/J. Howard & Associates can prepare a specific needs assessment targeting a given country or organization. For more information, contact: Pat FitzGerald via email: pfitzgerald@jhoward.com.

---40th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and the EEOC---
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. On June 19, 1964, after the longest debate in its nearly 180-year history, the U.S. Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On July 2, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in a broad array of private conduct including public accommodations, governmental services and education. One section of the Act, referred to as Title VII, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion and national origin. Title VII applies to private employers, labor unions and employment agencies. The Act prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, wages, assignment, promotions, benefits, discipline, discharge, layoffs and almost every aspect of employment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also creates the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a five-member, bipartisan commission whose mission is to eliminate unlawful employment discrimination. The EEOC was opened on July 2, 1965 -- one year after Title VII's enactment into law.

---NAACP AWARDS 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award to Civil Rights Activist Dick Gregory---The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President, Kweisi Mfume has named Comedian and Civil Rights Activist Dick Gregory as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. Gregory will receive the award during the 95th NAACP National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lifetime Achievement award is one of the NAACP's highest honors. NAACP President & CEO Kweisi Mfume, stated: "Dick Gregory has used his considerable wit and humor to open the hearts and minds of men and women across the nation to racial harmony and tolerance. From ensuring that activists attempting to register voters were not starved off their post by the Mississippi government withholding federal food surpluses to participating in sit-ins and marches, his achievements in the area of civil rights have been both numerous and significant. The entire NAACP family proudly honors Gregory and thanks him for all he has done to advance the cause of ensuring the civil rights and civil liberties of all people."

---Cuisine Entrepreneur Wiley Mullins says Ancestors' 150 year old diet is key to improved African American health---Alex Haley's Roots gave the world enlightened exposure to Black history, but this great epic didn't reveal perhaps the slaves most valuable contribution - their diet! That's why the Juneteenth holiday (June 19, 2004) has been designated as the day to launch a year long national effort to educate Americans about the importance of a healthy diet. Most Americans are perhaps unaware that the slaves were possibly the healthiest Americans that ever lived! They ate primarily a garden-grown diet of fresh vegetables; root crops like potatoes and turnips, and occasionally fish. With the exception of some limited root and bark teas, water was their sole beverage. Given this, the slaves approach to eating and consumption warrants immediate consideration particularly given the current declining health status of today's Black community. Today's typical African-American diet contains plenty of fatty, high caloric, and sugary foods - far different than the slaves' diet of less than 150 years ago. "The way many African-Americans look now bears little to no resemblance to their slave ancestors," says Wiley Mullins, founder of Uncle Wiley's Specialty Foods, Inc. and author of the soon to be released book The Unopened Gift about the nutritional legacy of slavery. According to Mullins, "slaves were lean, agile, and their bodies were for-the- most-part void of chronic illness and pain. Adapting our diet to a diet similar to that of our slave ancestors is certainly more healthful. It would improve the quality of our lives and could possibly save or extend our lives." For years, Mullins wondered how the slaves were able to endure the scorching heat of his native south especially during the "dog days" of summer when daily temperatures typically exceed 95 degrees and the humidity often approaches 100%. His curiosity led him to his new book, "The Unopened Gift" because up to this point in history no one had shared slave survival techniques that were responsible for their enduring health, continued stamina, and longevity. The book, is targeted for release in the Fall 2004. For more information on getting a copy of the book, contact: Wiley Mullins by calling (203) 259-1084 or by sending e-mail to: wiley@unclewileys.com.

---Tour of Success presents Spike Lee, George Fraser in Philadelphia, PA - July 13, 2004----The Business Exchange: 2004 Tour for Success presented by Volvo Cars of North America and produced by the Global Diversity Group travels to Philadelphia for a July 13 event with Spike Lee and networking guru George Fraser. 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 and Luncheon with George Fraser are FREE and open to the public, but registration is required. Tickets are also available for the Economic Empowerment Networking Reception. To register, go to www.mpbnetwork.com or by calling 1.888.265.6480. After you register, send your name and email to info@unityfirst.com and register to win two free tickets to the Empowerment Networking Reception.

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