---The National Urban League's 2008 Report, The State of Black America---
The National Urban League's 2008 State of Black America (SOBA) report offers a blueprint for economic equality aimed at closing the persistent gaps between Black and Whites. The year’s report pays particular attention to the African-American female, exploring the challenges they face, particularly as a higher percentage of Black women are the heads of households struggling to maintain family homes. With 45.8 percent of African-American households headed by women vs. 13.6 percent of White households, Black women are particularly hard hit when considering issues such as sub prime lending. The National Urban League's Equality Index to provide a statistical measurement of the equality gap between Blacks and Whites across five categories: economics, education, health, civic engagement and social justice. This year's index noted a slight reduction in the gap with the overall economic status of African Americans at 73 percent of White Americans, slightly up from last year's equality index of 72.6 percent. While the index identified minor improvements in the social justice index, mostly due to the narrowing of sentencing gaps and a slight positive change in incarceration rates, there was no improvement from last year in the areas of education and economics. "Over the past year, a recession, precipitated in part by the sub prime mortgage debacle, falling house sales and values and a tighter credit market has reared its ugly head in a year of what promises to be one of the most competitive and historic presidential elections in decades," said Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial.    Throughout the report, African-American women leaders shed light on the equality challenges faced by Black women. They pen their thoughts and feelings on the status and plight of Black women in areas such as political disenfranchisement, the glass ceiling in career advancement, the importance of early childhood education, love and family relationships, negative images in the media, health and civil rights.

Barbara Stephens

Hubert Hoosman

Aziz Gueye Adetimirin

Pastors

Business World Index

---Credit Unions donate $1.2 million to the MLK National Memorial Project Foundation---
On March 4, it was announced in Washington, DC that credit unions from California to Maine and from Washington to Florida have donated $1.2 million to the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. The African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) was honored for spearheading the national fundraising effort. General Colin Powell, Harry E. Johnson, Sr, President and CEO of the Memorial Foundation, Barbara Stephens, Chair of the AACUC, and Hubert Hoosman, President of Vantage Credit Union in St. Louis, MO participated in the announcement. "AACUC is proud to have spearheaded the credit unions in supporting the efforts to build a memorial in honor of Dr. King on the National Mall," said Stephens. "I especially want to thank Hubert Hoosman of the AACUC board for birthing this idea and we are proud to be part of this historic effort."

----The Network Journal announces its 2008 “25  Influential Black Women in Business"---
The Network Journal, New York tri-state area’s premier business magazine for African-American professionals and business owners, has announced its 2008 list of 25 Influential Black Women in Business. The select group will be profiled in the special March issue of the magazine and will be formally honored during Women’s History Month at the “Tenth Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards” luncheon on Thursday, March 13. The event will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, located at 1535 Broadway (between 45th & 46th streets) in New York City, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. “The women we are honoring on the tenth anniversary of these awards are, as usual, in the forefront of American leadership and symbolize the diversity and advancement that has occurred across industry lines,"  TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin said.“We salute them for achieving significant levels of success in their businesses and professional careers and for their myriad contributions to their community.” For more information, go to: www.TNJ.com

 --- Top Latina Leaders to Celebrate Women's History Month---
The Imagen Foundation, in cooperation with Honorary Chair Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA),will host an event to celebrate the contributions that Latinas have made in their communities. At this year's inaugural dinner, seven extraordinary Latinas and Latina Magazine will be honored for their leadership and work. They will be joined by a prestigious Honorary Committee including Congresswomen Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).The Imagen Foundation, best known for its annual Imagen Awards which honors positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino cultures in television and film, was established in 1985.
 
---African American Pastors: Day of Dialogue---
Five prominent African American pastors recently convened in New York City for a "Day of Dialogue" with NBC Nightly News Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams to draw the network's attention to key issues affecting the Black community. The pastors, including bishops Charles Blake, Sedgwick Daniels and T.D. Jakes, along with pastors A.R. Bernard and John Borders III, provided an enlightening look at the church's role in addressing the problems faced by African Americans nationwide. Williams, along with several NBC News producers and executives, including President Steve Capus, listened as the renowned pastors discussed the importance of saving the Black male, providing housing and education, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis, and healing inner cities from the wounds created by the influx of crime and drugs.