---African American unemployment remains high---
The African American unemployment rate rose again last month to 9.9 percent, according to a government report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is significantly higher than the national average, which remained the same at 5.6 percent in May. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office recently reported African Americans have lost up to 88% of their earning potential since President Bush assumed office in January, 2001. "Although the economy is showing faint signs of growth, job creation and worker investment is at a virtual standstill, and the economy is barely creating enough jobs to keep pace with the number of workers entering the marketplace each month," Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) said.

---Chicago: Spike Lee at Business Exchange: 2004 Tour for Success, June 10---
The eight city Business Exchange: 2004 Tour for Success presented by Volvo Cars of North America and produced by the Global Diversity Group arrives in Chicago on June 10 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel. The Chicago event, which is also sponsored by Citibank, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Office Depot, brings free seminars, workshops and networking to emerging minority entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country. Tour headliners for Chicago include Entrepreneur, Producer, and Writer Spike Lee, who will speak at the 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. "Success Stories" session. Prior to Spike Lee, George Fraser, CEO of FraserNet.com, will be conducting a special session on "The Art of Networking." Tony Brown, motivational speaker, radio and television host as well as entrepreneur, will be the guest speaker for the Power Luncheon, which is free to a limited number of people on a first come, first serve basis. The Tour for Success begins at 9 a.m. with free interactive workshops focusing on key business issues and trends including: "Winning at the Contract Game", "Marketing Your Way To Success", "How To Develop A Competitive Edge", and a series of workshops for mature as well as start-up small businesses. In addition, there is also a special business plan competition featured called "American CEO", which is being co-sponsored by EBS Worldwide, University of Illinois of Chicago, Center for Urban Business, and Illinois Small Business Office. The American CEO competition allows entrepreneurs to give a 3-5 minute pitch on their business concept for a chance to win one thousand dollars. The workshops and luncheon (lunch is on a limited first come, first served basis with pre-registration required) are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Information on tickets for the Economic Empowerment Networking Reception is available at www.mpbnetwork.com or by calling 1.888.265.6480. Entrepreneurs interested in entering the "American CEO" business competition should call 847-509-5990.

---Connecticut: New England Conference on Black Philanthropy---
The New England Conference on Black Philanthropy, in partnership with the National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc., was recently held in New Haven, Connecticut. The theme of the 2nd annual conference was "The Power of Individuals to Build Communities." The conference hosted approximately 300 professionals in the field of philanthropy including members of nonprofit organizations nationally and in the Northeast region. Keynote Emmett Carson, Ph.D., President and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation Emmett Carson talked about "Black Philanthropy's past; Black philanthropy today, and thirdly, the implications of past and present on Black philanthropy's future." According to Carson: "Black Philanthropy is the sum of the talent, time, goods, and money given by Black people for charitable purposes. Black philanthropy changes, evolves based on the conditions faced by Black people at that time. Black philanthropy roots were in Africa…then in the Black church. It worked well there in the church because we could control it. Black Philanthropy was the economic engine for the Underground Railroad. Black Philanthropy was the economic engine for the Civil Rights movement. Collective communal interests shaped our experience. It was communal over individual interests that helped us to succeed. We thought of ourselves as a unit, no matter how successful we were. Our philanthropy is at a crossroads. We have Black institutions that still have a legitimate message to give. The challenge…for Black organizations…It's not enough to say you're Black, anymore. There are some Black institutions that don't deserve our support. There is a standard of excellence that Black organizations have to meet even when the case is right. Some organizations aren't making it. To get Black dollars...it's a competitive race. White organizations can attract Black donors but to do that, you also have to be excellent. You have to walk the talk. If you are not sincere, you may be successful in the short term by getting some gifts but not over the long haul. Black people want to know, like any other donor, what you have done in communities about which they care."

---Silent Auction: Black History Collector's Corner - Antiques and other items just for you---Rare Finds Antiques, a black-owned and operated antique dealership, has launched the following item for sale via UnityFirst.com. All bids will be considered, but Rare Finds reserves the right to hold all goods if bids fall below the item's value. The following item is now open for bid: Life Magazine - September 12, 1969 (full vintage Issue in excellent condition ) with cover photo of Coretta Scott King and feature story authored by Coretta Scott King, who talks about her life with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. (See magazine cover photo on UnityFirst.com). If interested in this item, send in your bid to: info@unityfirst.com by Wednesday, June 9, 2004 by 5 pm.

---Job of the Week: Manager, Branch Operations (Boston, MA)- Ryder Systems, Inc---Ryder Systems, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, and leader in leasing, rental and transportation solutions is experiencing success and explosive growth. This has created an exciting opportunity for motivated managers who want to achieve their full leadership potential. Offering the broadest spectrum of leasing and transportation management service in the industry for over 70 years, our dynamic $5.1 billion company is on the move! Right now, we're seeking a Branch Operations Manager in Boston, MA, which is a developmental position putting the right candidate on the fast track to become a General Manager. This diverse role will include exposure and development of technical knowledge in the areas of Maintenance, Sales, Account Management, Leasing, Rental, Asset Management, and Customer Retention. Ultimately, the incumbent would be assigned a group of branch locations to manage, which would include assuming operational responsibility, including direct profit and loss accountability for the branches and supervision of the assigned personnel. The duration of the Branch Operations Manager developmental assignment will be 12 to 24 months. For immediate consideration, please e-mail your resume and salary requirements to othneil625@netzero.net. Please put job number JU03-0158UNITY on your resume. If you need a full job description, click here.

---Washington, D.C.: National Juneteenth Celebration, June 18-20---
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. Washington, DC's national Juneteenth celebration includes: a National Juneteenth Prayer & Praise Worship Service (Washington Christian Center), Annual Juneteenth Frederick Douglass Freedom March, National Juneteenth Jazz & Gospel Concert Series, Juneteenth Fathers Day Worship Service, and much more! For more information, go to: 19thofjune.com.

---Juneteenth Alaska---
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Anchorage, Alaska for 30+ years and this year, the annual banquet will be held on June 12. Other events include a basketball tournament, the first annual Hip Hop Night, the Miss Juneteenth Pageant and a Gospel Day. Juneteenth Alaska provides top-notch knowledge to the communities in Alaska about black history and famous African Americans both in our past and now. The African American Historical Society of Alaska (A.A.H.S.A.) hosts the annual Juneteenth celebration in Anchorage Alaska. The vision of the African American Historical Society of Alaska is to promote and preserve the historical recognition and culture of African Americans in Alaska. We endeavor to educate the general public about accomplishments of African Americans through celebrations; establishment of African American cultural centers and museums; and researching African American history in Alaska and beyond.

---Baltimore: African American Heritage Festival, June 18-20---
This three-day African Heritage festival will be held in Baltimore's Camden yards. It will feature local and national entertainers, cultural and educational exhibits, and hundreds of vendors in a family-oriented weekend extravaganza. The African American Heritage Festival is an annual family celebration of the history, culture, education, heritage and arts of African Americans.

---Washington, D.C.: Caribbean Carnival---
The Washington D.C. Caribbean Carnival is one of the fastest growing Carnivals in North America. Established in 1993, this carnival has developed from nine bands and approximately 150,000 spectators the first year to 25 bands and well over 300,000 spectators. The Annual Carnival Parade will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2004 along Georgia Avenue from Missouri Avenue to Barry Place. The festival site will be located at Banneker Field located on Georgia Avenue at Barry Place directly across from historical Howard University.

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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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