---Executive Leadership Council co-sponsors symposiums to address diverse leadership---Helping African-American corporate managers lead more effectively in the inclusive workplace, and senior human resource and diversity executives debate the question "Is there a business case for diversity?" will be the focus of two professional development events on April 30 and May 1, 2003. Symposiums-"African-American Managers and the Global Case for Diversity," and "Is there a Business Case for Diversity?" will be co-sponsored by Sears, Roebuck and Co., and the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation's premier organization of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. The symposiums continue a four-year partnership between Sears and ELC to provide corporate executives access to ELC's leadership network, promising diversity leadership practices, career coaching and management strategies. Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Price Cobbs, President and CEO, Pacific Management Systems, will serve as moderator, leading confidential, frank discussions on complex workplace issues. Symposiums are limited in size to encourage small group interaction and coaching from ELC members who serve as panelists and small group facilitators. Sessions will run from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily and target African-American corporate managers and multi-racial teams of senior human resource and diversity executives. For more information, contact Stefanie Royal, 202-298-7188, sroyal@elcinfo.com.

---National League of Cities gives cultural diversity awards to cities---
At the National League of Cities' (NLC) annual congressional conference, ten cities were awarded for achievements in cultural diversity. The National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials of NLC presented the City Cultural Diversity Awards. Top awards, given by population category, were presented to: Phoenix, Arizona, Stockton, Calif., Lynwood, California and Enterprise, Alabama. Cities chosen as runners-up were: Cleveland, Ohio, Chandler, Arizona, Oakland, California, Federal Way, Washington, Bellwood, Ill. and Ozark, Alabama. Phoenix, Ariz. was recognized for its "City of Phoenix Diversity Task Force," made up of 23 employees from 16 city departments and all levels to ensure that the city's workforce reflects the diversity of Phoenix to better serve its population. Stockton, Calif. won for its "Mayor's Campaign for Racial Harmony and Fairness Task Force," led by Mayor Gary Podesto, which is a group of 26 top-level administrators or executives of school districts, religious agencies, city and county offices, business groups, and health organizations, established to address racial, cultural and religious tensions, and to create solutions for these issues. Lynwood, Calif. was recognized for "We are One," a policy-making philosophy and strategy formally adopted by Lynwood City Council in 2000 that reinvents the community's approach to cultural diversity. Enterprise, Ala. was recognized for its "Multi-Cultural Club," which was formed to provide an opportunity for people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds to meet one another in a social setting. The meetings focus on either a country or ethnic group so that participants can learn about the history, contributions, and customs of other people.

---MBC Network launches one-hour news program---
MBC Network is proud to announce the launch of MBC News. The wait is over for news from an urban and African-American perspective...On Friday, April 4, 2003, the 35th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination "MBC Network News" will premiere at 7:00pm (eastern) with veteran news anchor, Gordon Parks and Val Bracey. Previously, MBC Network made news history as it announced the pending launch of the nation's first, 24-hour news channel for African-American viewers, MBC News - The Urban Voice, which is scheduled to launch 1st quarter 2004. MBC Network News will serve as the network's daily newscast until the 24-hour news network has launched. Monday thru Friday, MBC Network News will cover the top news stories of the day, as well as, human-interest stories that are presented from an African-American perspective. In order to provide its unique coverage of these stories, MBC Network News will tap into the pool of the many talented journalists nationwide, to address the diversity of news that exists within and about the urban community. MBC Network will conduct and air later the much heralded town forum program, "The Future of Black America" on April 3, from the Mason Temple located in Memphis, TN. Scheduled panelists will include the Rev. Jesse Jackson (Rainbow Push Coalition); Dr. Joseph Lowery (former President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and Dr. Benjamin Hooks (former Exec. Director, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). It was at the Mason Temple that Dr. King addressed striking sanitation workers informing them of his premonition about his death. Immediately following MBC Network News on April 4, MBC will present a 30-minute special "Memphis, Then and Now." The program looks at Memphis 35 years after the assassination of Dr. King, through the eyes of the citizens of Memphis with live shots from the city's historical National Civil Rights Museum, formerly the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. King's assassination.

---Comcast names CEO of new African American network---
Comcast Corp has announced that Johnathan Rodgers will be the president and chief executive of a new cable television network targeting African-American viewers. Comcast said the network would be launched later this year in conjunction with Radio One Inc., a radio broadcaster aimed at African-American and urban listeners. Rodgers was president of Discovery Networks U.S. for six years, during which he was responsible for programming, marketing, research, distribution and operations. Discovery Networks includes the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Kids and the Travel Channel.

---What Color is a Conservative?----
The rise of J.C. Watts from a poor, African-American family of Democrats to the fourth ranking Republican in Congress has caused him to be a target for much criticism from many traditional black leaders. On Wednesday, April 2, the Atlanta Press Club will welcome this unconventional voice as he discusses his rise from tiny Eufala, Oklahoma, where he was not only the first, black U.S. Congressman to win a southern state since reconstruction, he was also the first African-American elected to a Republican leadership post. In four terms, the former congressman rose to the rank of chairman of the House Republican Conference. He will address the Atlanta Press Club and sign copies of his autobiography, "What Color is a Conservative" at the TBS Foyer at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center at 7:30 p.m.

---Farewell tribute to National Urban League President Hugh B. Price---
The National Urban League announced plans for a farewell tribute to Hugh B. Price in recognition of his nine years of leadership of the Urban League movement. The tribute--sponsored by American Express, Pitney Bowes and Bank of America--will be held as a series of events leading up to Price's departure in mid-April. Price announced late last year his intentions to resign from his job as president and chief executive of the nation's largest community based organization devoted to assisting African Americans enter the social and economic mainstream and achieve parity and civil rights. The Board of Trustees will honor Price in a special ceremony at the National Urban League headquarters, Tuesday evening, April 1st. National Urban League staff and friends and family of Price will pay final tribute at a reception on April 7, 2003 in New York City. The Urban League is conducting a nationwide search for a new president and CEO. The organization consists of over 100 affiliates in 34 states and the District of Columbia. It hopes to select the new president by spring.

---New National Center for the Preservation of Democracy unveils building design---A groundbreaking ceremony was held to establish the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, scheduled to open in downtown Los Angeles in fall 2004. The goal of the National Center is to provide a new, national venue for debate and dialogue about issues related to democracy, freedom and diversity and to teach about the intersections among diverse cultural experiences, including those of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, and other Asian Americans. Through programs at its Los Angeles headquarters, the National Center will interact with educators and youth on subjects related to democracy, and serve as a resource for educators and students alike. The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy is affiliated with the Japanese American National Museum, whose Historic Building will serve as headquarters for the National Center. Irene Y. Hirano, current chief executive officer and president of the National Museum, will serve as CEO of both institutions. As a national educational institution, a main component of the National Center will be its Curriculum and Educators Development. The National Center is establishing partnerships with youth educators across the country to develop new curriculum emphasizing the value of participatory democracy and allowing teachers and students to tailor the lessons to current events and issues in their communities.

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