---Employment Index Indicates Rebound in Managerial Hiring---
 The February 2010 CareerCast.com/JobSerf Employment Index, which measures managerial recruitment activity online, showed considerable growth in hiring activity this month, rising to 83.3, up 12.5 points since January. Leading the rebound in per capita hiring gains were Cincinnati (+39%), Cleveland (+37%), Hartford (+28%) and Indianapolis (+24%). VP Level hiring showed a dramatic gain, rising 29 points while Manager Level (+18) and C-Level (+10) hiring made significant gains. Director Level hiring was the only group to see a drop this month, down 3 points. "Cities in the Northeast had large per capita gains, including New York (+10 to 62), Philadelphia (+8 to 53) and Hartford (+9 to 41). Boston continued to rank as the number two city for recruitment activity, rising 4 points this month to 100. The top-ranked city, Washington, DC, rose 7 points to 138. Although the Midwest and Southeast had gains, the West continues to struggle and remains behind the rest of the country. Cities in Southern California barely improved with a one point gain each (Riverside at 14 points and Los Angeles at 32 points) and both trail the leading cities for jobs by a considerable amount. "Even though the Southwest and Western areas of the county did not see a strong demand this month, the overall rise in recruitment activity is promising," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. "The Index shows the beginning of a hiring rebound, which is good news for those who have been unemployed for many months."

Bob Johnson

Dikembe Mutombo

Terrie Williams

Business World Index

---Majority Ownership Sale of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats---
Robert L. Johnson, the majority owner of Bobcats Sports and Entertainment today announced that he has signed a definitive agreement to sell majority interest of Bobcats Sports and Entertainment to Michael Jordan and MJ Basketball Holdings, LLC.  The deal is subject to NBA approval.  Further details of the sale will be provided by the NBA.
 
---Mental Health and the African American Community---
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), working in collaboration with the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation, announced the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. Mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are widespread in the U.S. and often misunderstood. According to SAMHSA, in 2008 there were an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older living with serious mental illness. Among adults, the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18 to 25 age group, yet this age group is also the least likely to receive services or counseling. Terrie M. Williams, MSW, co-founder of The Stay Strong Foundation, collaborated on the development of the Web videos and PSA materials and serves as a campaign spokesperson. "It is the work of the Stay Strong Foundation and my personal mission to educate everyone, and in particular the African American community, about depression and its impact on our communities," said Williams. "Every day so many of us wear the "mask" of wellness that hides our pain from the world. Now is the time to identify and name our pain—minus the myths and the stigmas—and seek the help so many of us need." To view the public service announcement with former Essence magazine editor Susan Taylor, check UnityFirst.com TV, by clicking here.

---Former NBA Player Dikembe Mutombo and U.S. Census---
 Dikembe Mutombo, former NBA player and activist, has been chosen by the U.S. Census as a National Profile Partner.  In his role, he will work with the Census and create outreach strategies to increase overall participation in the Census among African and African-American communities and also utilize the Census information for outreach projects to improve the quality of life for the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

---Salt River Devco to Build First Marriott-Branded Hotel on U.S. Tribal Land---Salt River Devco, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, has signed a hotel management agreement with Marriott International to manage the first Marriott-branded hotel on U.S. tribal land. The Courtyard by Marriott will be located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community just outside of Scottsdale, Arizona at the intersection of Jackrabbit and Pima Roads with access off the Loop 101 Freeway at McDonald. The hotel will open in 2012. "This is another important 'first' for our Community," said Diane Enos, President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.  We are very pleased that Marriott is bringing the Courtyard brand to our home."